powerboat instructor

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WELCOME TO THE RPBA

POWERBOATING - MAKE YOUR PASSION YOUR LIFESTYLE! The Recreational Powerboating Association is the leading authority for hands-on powerboat instruction, powerboat certification & powerboat schools in the United States. Take powerboating instruction through our network of certified powerboating schools with certified powerboat instructors . Through our powerboat courses , the RPBA will help you learn powerboating and achieve powerboating certification safely & with confidence. RPBA Certified Students can go from basic powerboat maneuvering to advanced powerboat courses, then enjoy powerboat vacations around the world. EARN POWERBOAT CERTIFICATION WITH THE RPBA The Recreational Powerboating Association is committed to helping you understand, appreciate and fully enjoy the incredible world of powerboating. Whether you need to fine-tune your existing powerboat handling skills, meet your state’s safe boating requirements or learn basic powerboat handling as someone completely new to the world of powerboating, the RPBA’s comprehensive set of powerboat training courses , network of professional powerboat training instructors and powerboat training schools provides the solution. The RPBA will do much more than simply show you the basics; our affiliated schools can teach you everything you need to be a skilled and experienced powerboater, including helping you earn your powerboat certification. If you'd like to learn more, the best way to start your journey is to explore TheRPBA.com for more information on learning to powerboat.

Polish up your docking skills!

The Recreational Powerboating Association will be conducting “Close Quarters Powerboat Handling” clinics using its newly developed training simulator at 5 indoor boat shows during January and February to promote awareness of its training programs and kick off its instructor development efforts.

Close Quarters Powerboat Handling

Close Quarters Powerboat Handling is an intensive, 12-hour powerboat handling course that is designed to provide the skills necessary to maneuver a powerboat confidently, competently and safely in tight spaces. Successful completion of the program indicates the student has demonstrated competence in handling either a twin inboard, single inboard or outboard/stern drive vessel in close quarters in light wind and or currents.

The goal of this course is to teach safe, efficient use of radar for small-craft navigation in any condition of visibility. Radar teaches safe, efficient use of small-craft radar for piloting, chart navigation, and collision avoidance, including radar principles and practical matters of radar operation as well as using a realistic PC based radar simulator to illustrate radar measurements. This course covers a broad range of topics related to radar. Specific topics to be learned include, how radar works, interpreting the screen, position navigation, radar and navigation rules.

Boater Education Card

By taking a boating safety course with the Recreational PowerBoating Association's partner, BoaterExam.com™, you help make our waterways safer and more enjoyable. Your boater education card may help you avoid fines from states where mandatory boater education laws are in effect, and may also entitle you to a reduction on your marine insurance.

Boating Safety Tips

The captain’s first and primary responsibility is for the safety of the vessel, passengers and crew. A prudent skipper always conducts a safety briefing prior to departure, because the best preparation for emergencies is a well trained crew. Crew training is the responsibility of the skipper and it is prudent to conduct drills with the crew to include: man overboard recovery, fire and abandon ship procedures.

RPBA Schools

• Boating Safety
• Twin Inboard
• Single Inboard
• Stern Drive / Outboard

RYA Powerboat Instructor Course

Introduction to the RYA Powerboat Instructor Course

Once you have gained enough experience on powerboats you can take it pro and become a RYA powerboat instructor. This will give you the responsibility to take students to sea and start them on their boating journey.

It’s a great feeling when you teach people the same first steps that somebody taught you.

The first rung on the instructor ladder is becoming a RYA Powerboat Level 2 instructor.

How to Become a RYA Powerboat Instructor

In order to become an instructor you need to meet the following requirements:

• hold a RYA Powerboat Level 2 certificate.
• hold a valid RYA first aid certificate.
• have either 5 years powerboating experience or if you work on boats full time, one seasons experience.
• be 16 years old or over.
• pass the instructor skills assessment day

The Instructor Skills Assessment

The skills assessment is based on Powerboat Level 2 skills. The intention is to make certain that you can drive the boat to the standard required. It makes sense that you should have the skills in order to teach the skills.

Assessments are conducted by an RYA appointed Powerboat Trainer. He will assess you and make a decision about whether or not you can attend the instructor course.

During the assessment you will have to demonstrate your ability to:

• hold off a mark or stationary object
• pick up a mooring buoy
• moor the boat both up and down tide
• turn using warps and spring off
• turn in a confined space
• recover a man overboard dummy
• stop and start the engine
• carry out high speed manoeuvres including figure of 8 and U-turns

The RYA Powerboat Instructor Course

So long as you prove your ability to to drive a boat you will be accepted onto the instructor course. The course will take you three days to complete. Contrary to what you might think, the course isn’t about boat driving. The course is about how to teach. You will have to be demonstrating good boating driving skills as part of delivering training sessions. Otherwise how could you give your customers good value?

Specifically, during the course, the Trainer will be training you in some good teaching methods. These will help you to break down practical skills into teachable chunks so that you can deliver good sessions on the water.

They will also be teaching you how to prepare theory sessions for the classroom. This will include things like preparing visual aids, using a white board and presentation skills.

Another important part of teaching is giving constructive feedback. You will be taught methods of giving praise when things go well. You will also be taught how to delver criticism in a constructive and acceptable manner.

To demonstrate your progress throughout the three days you will have to deliver teaching sessions. You will give a theory session in the classroom which will be delivered to your peers. You will also teach practical sessions on the water to your peers and to the RYA Trainer. All of these sessions will form part of a continuous assessment as you learn and develop new skills.

The Complete RYA Powerboat Instructor Course Syllabus

The subjects included in the course are as follows:

• the theory of teaching – principles of practical instruction
• delivering theory subjects
• preparation and effective use of visual aids
• lesson and programme planning
• teaching styles
• practical driving
• reviewing and feedback skills
• the standards required by the RYA
• assessing student ability
• structure of the RYA National Powerboat Scheme
• developing student skills along a progressive pathway
• the requirements for running an effective school

During the course you will be demonstrating that:

• knowledge of the subject of powerboating
• ability to deliver effective teaching sessions
• skills to demonstrate all elements of the RYA Powerboat Level 2 syllabus
• ability to deliver at least one theory session ashore
• be able to demonstrate safety awareness for themselves and students throughout

Course Moderation

On the last day, a second RYA Trainer will be there to moderate the course. So what does this mean?

The second Trainer won’t have been involved with the course. His or her job is to ensure that they agree with the pass / fail decisions of the first Trainer. They are a check to ensure everything is fair and that the RYA’s standards are being upheld.

The second Trainer will be looking at the same things as the first one. So you can expect to demonstrate teaching sessions for them as well on the last day.

Once You Are Qualified….

After you pass this course you will be able to represent the RYA and your training centre. You will be out there on the water teaching the Powerboat Level 2 course and starting people on an amazing hobby.

Your instructor certificate will last for 5 years if you maintain an up to date first aid certificate during that time.

How to Become an RYA Advanced Powerboat Instructor

This is the next step after your initial instructor qualification. It’s considered the pinnacle of instruction in the RYA Powerboat Scheme.

Once you have gained this qualification you will be entitled to teach both the Intermediate Powerboat and the Advanced Powerboat courses .

In order to qualify to attend the course you must:

• you must already be a existing powerboat instructor
• hold an advanced powerboat course completion certificate
• hold any one of the power Certificates of Competence . Either the Advanced Powerboat COC or a Yachtmaster Power COC.

As advanced courses are taught on commercially coded boats, you will need to be a commercially endorsed skipper.

The RYA Advanced Powerboat Instructor Course is conducted over two days and one evening. It will include a night exercise which will be conducted in darkness.

The Advanced Instructor Syllabus

• practical boat handling in a variety of situations
• daytime navigation theory and practical
• navigating in darkness theory and practical
• meteorology
• collision regulations theory and application
• use of engines including twins
• emergency situations including search patterns and helicopter rescue
• boat and crew management both day and night
• effective delivery of all aspects of the course

• Safe Powerboat Training
• Safety & Rescue Boat Handling

About US Powerboat Training

US Powerboat Training offers the nation’s best and most comprehensive on-the-water training and education courses for recreational boaters. Our hands-on courses are taught by Certified Powerboat Instructors who empower students with the skills and confidence they need to get more out of their boating experience and become safer powerboat operators. US Powerboat Training’s courses are offered through approved schools, community programs, clubs, and marinas.

US Powerboat Training is an affiliate of  US Sailing , a non-profit 501(c)3 organization and the National Governing Body for the sport of sailing in the United States. US Sailing works to achieve this mission through a wide range of programs and events, geared towards providing an equal level playing field for all sailors. US Sailing sets the course enabling sailors to enjoy the sport for a lifetime.

Our Mission

Our mission aligns closely with the strategic objectives of the U.S. Coast Guard’s Boating Safety Division. We aim to support them in their mission to make America’s water ways safer for all and to minimize property damage, personal injury and loss of life by creating a new generation of educated and experienced recreational boaters.

US Powerboat Training’s philosophy is that there is no substitute for practical, hands-on experience. After all, you wouldn’t drive a car without taking driver’s education so consider us your source for Driver’s Education for Boaters.

Our courses are offered at Course Providers and Powerboat Schools around the country.  They are taught by knowledgeable, professional instructors who are dedicated to ensuring you get the most out of your educational experience. With offerings ranging from beginner to advanced, we are sure we have something for everyone.

We strive to emphasize the fun side of boating while ensuring that you feel safe, comfortable and confident

Women's Power Boating

We also host the World Famous Women's Only Safe Boat Handling course, tailored to empower women to safely and confidently maneuver boats up to 25 feet.  Class is taught by two experienced female captains and takes place over two consecutive days.

“ There is nothing – absolutely nothing – half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats .” ~ Kenneth Grahame

We remain open Year-Round and our instructors boast the highest level of certifications & training in the industry.

As an internationally accredited Training School , you have access to a wide variety of education classes, certification opportunities, and personalized skill-building training.

All courses are taught on the water, with classes ranging from 3 to 46 hours, depending on the level of skill or certification desired.

You get the same great training from each of our captains throughout the U.S., regardless if you take a course in Maine or Florida, Texas, or Ohio.  Its the same premier experience in every location.

Why Choose Us?

The SaferBoater Difference

Any licensed captain can theoretically teach you the basics of how to drive a boat. So why is SaferBoater so Succesful in teaching new boat owners?

Because our On The Water Training Program is the Fastest Way to Learn to Boat. Guaranteed!

To start, we offer standardized, certified training courses.  This means you could visit hundreds of our captains and get the same premier boater training, regardless if you attend a class in Maine, Florida, Texas, or Ohio.

Equally as important, you will have the knowledge, capability and legal eligibility required to buy, rent & operate boats in each state that requires a boating license.  As an added benefit, our curriculum will meet the requirements (and even save  you money) with most insurance carriers as well.

SaferBoater students also build practical knowledge quicker because we teach our certification lessons first in a classroom and then on a boat! Our hands-on training approach dominates the old, boring classroom-only or online style used by other schools.

Every course we offer is hands-on and water based, with expert instruction provided by Certified Sailing/Powerboat Instructors.  We empower students with the skills and confidence they need to get more out of their boating experience, all while allowing them to become safer boat operators.

We also hold the distinction of being one of the only accredited schools for US Powerboating and US Sailing in the U.S.

Classes are held year-round, with Specialty Programs catering exclusively to women, families, private groups, teens & youth aged 10+, and first-time boat owners.

So while there may be many boat captains, we have the only standardized system available to turn you from a novice to a confident captain in just a few short days.

East Coast : Maine - Texas We have begun our Westward expansion as of Fall of 2023.

Earn US Sailing | US Powerboating | NSBC  Certifications

Sailing/Yachting

As a rigorously Trained & Certified U.S. Sailing School , we are one of only a handful of schools in the entire United States authorized to certify you with both a Sailing and Yacht IPC certification . How you can get certified:

• US Sailing is the Congress-chartered governing body over the sport of sailing.
• US Powerboating, their sister branch, is the Only Organization authorized by the European Union to issue an International Proficiency Certificate (IPC) for Motoryachts in the US.
• Thus, we are able to offer both Sailing and Yacht IPC certification .

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Not Sure WHERE to start?

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Powerboat instructors

This scheme can be taught in a variety of small open powerboats such as RIBs, dories and sportsboats and is aimed at a variety of users from casual leisure boaters to professional small boat skippers. As an instructor you will therefore need to have experience in a variety of boats and situations.

Powerboat Instructor

Health declaration.

You will be asked to sign a health declaration stating that you are not suffering from any physical or mental impaiment which has an adverse effect on your abililty to properly discharge your duty of care as an instructor. If you are unable to sign the standard declaration, you will be required to complete a medical questionnaire .

Progressing through the coaching scheme

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Abu Dhabi , UAE, Monday, 09 June 2003 - With the Federation of Russia Grand Prix scheduled for August 17, the UIM Powerboat Homologation Committee plans to visit the site of the race, not far from Moscow center, from June 16-20, 2003. The Federation of Russia Grand Prix is the fifth race on the 2003 UIM F1 Powerboat Championship calendar and the ninth time that an F1 Powerboat Championship event takes place in Russia.

Organisers of the 2003 event plan a great show for an expected 50,000 spectators. Since 1989, FI Powerboats have raced in Minsk (1989), Leningrad (1990,1991), St Petersburg (1995,1996) and Moscow (1997, 1998 and 1999).

"After three years away, I am happy to see the F1 Powerboat Championship back in Moscow, thanks to the Moscow Government and to 7TV Sports Television Channel," said Nicolo di San Germano, promoter of the UIM F1 Powerboat series. "This Grand Prix is an exciting new event, even though the Federation of Russia has hosted F1 Powerboat racing before.

"The last Grand Prix in Moscow gave us a lot of action on the river in the city's famous Gorki Park. But the 2003 edition will take place in Strogino, seven kilometres away from the center of Moscow. Found by Pierre Bogdanov, President of the Russian Federation Motonautique, this new location will allow FI Powerboat racing on a much wider circuit, compared with Gorki Park. "

The charismatic di San Germano has worked assiduously since 1993 to make F1 Powerboat racing a global sport. "I am gratified to see that some of the concepts that I initiated have begun to take root," di San Germano said. These include among others proper racing pits and hospitality units.

"In the last ten years, the F1 Powerboat racing programme has taken the contenders to Asia, Europe and the Middle East, and Far East" di San Germano said. The promoter has dreams of additional locations in the future. "But today," he said, "I really hope that the Homologation Committee will find that the circuit in Strogino meets all the necessary criteria for a good show, perfect organisation, and, above all, safety."

Home  News  US Sailing Awards Rescue Medal for 2023 Soling Nationals Rescue

US Sailing Awards Rescue Medal for 2023 Soling Nationals Rescue

BRISTOL, RI (March 25, 2024) – The US Sailing Safety at Sea Committee has awarded the Arthur B. Hanson Rescue Medal to five Chicago-area sailors for saving the life of a skipper who had fallen overboard.

The medals were presented by Matthew Gallagher in an award ceremony on Saturday, March 23, at Sheridan Shore Yacht Club, at Wilmette Harbor, Wilmette Illinois which is north of Chicago. Matt is a member of the US Sailing Board of Directors and Safety at Sea Committee. He is also former Chair of the Arthur B. Hanson medal subcommittee, and former Chair of the Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac committee.

On Friday, September 8, 2023, the Sheridan Shore Yacht Club and the Wilmette Sailing School hosted the 2023 Soling United States National Championship at Wilmette, Illinois Forecast wind was up to 20 knots, waves 3 to 5 feet. The water temperature was 67 degrees Fahrenheit.

Skipper Dave Slaght, Bob Nickel, and Kent Smith on Soling USA 802 were sailing by-the-lee in heavy air when a wave hit them, causing an accidental jibe. Dave was violently flung backward to the leeward side of the boat. He landed on his back squarely on the oak tiller, severing the tiller where it attached to the rudder post, then continued over the side and into the waters of Lake Michigan. Dave, who was 73 years old, stayed alongside the boat by hanging on, and his crew hanging onto him.

In the aftermath, conditions on the boat were challenging for the remaining two crewmembers.  The broken tiller made it impossible to steer. The spinnaker was flagging, and the main was catching wind and propelling the boat sideways. The effect of the untended sails on prevented the crew from getting into the proper position to rescue their skipper, who weighed some 220 lbs. After 10 minutes in the water, Dave discovered his PFD was inadequate, and found it difficult to kick and hold on to the boat. His crew kept hold of him for 20 minutes.

Two Race Committee Zodiacs, crewed by John Kennedy, John Kiener, and Richard Traub saw the vessel in distress and came to aid. The Zodiac with 2 crew tossed Dave a line, pulled him to their boat, and together they pulled him on board. The victim completely recovered.

For their high degree of situational awareness, tenacity, and unhesitating action resulting in the rescue of a sailor in peril, US Sailing is pleased to award the Arthur B. Hanson Rescue Medal to the rescuing crews of Soling 802, Zodiac 1, and Zodiac 2.

The sailors honored were:

• John Kennedy
• John Kiener
• Richard Traub

Lessons Learned and Safety Reminders:

• Always wear a lifejacket on the water. Adding leg/crotch holds it in place in the water. (Skipper reported that he was having a difficult time keeping his life jacket from riding up over his head)
• Make sure there is a “throw rope” rescue bag on all safety boats. Consider also having a boarding ladder and/or Lifesling to assist in getting the victim out of the water.
• Having a second “type 4” crew overboard “throwable” on board the boat, allows you to throw one, and have a second one for the person in the water to hang onto.
• Evaluate, and re-evaluate weather conditions before sailing.
• Practice emergency VHF radio communications.

The Arthur B. Hanson Rescue Medal is awarded to any person who rescues or endeavors to rescue any other person from drowning, shipwreck, or other perils at sea within the territorial waters of the United States, or as part of a sailboat race or voyage that originated or stopped in the U.S. The medal was established in 1990 by friends of the late Mr. Hanson, an ocean-racing sailor from the Chesapeake Bay, with the purpose of recognizing significant accomplishments in seamanship and collecting case studies of rescues for analysis by the Safety at Sea Committee of US Sailing for use in educational and training programs. Any individual or organization may submit a nomination for a Hanson Rescue Medal.

Visit the  US Sailing Hanson Rescue Medal website  for more information about these awards, including nomination form instructions and guidelines.

Copyright ©2018-2024 United States Sailing Association. All rights reserved. US Sailing is a 501(c)3 organization. Website designed & developed by Design Principles, Inc. -->

Home  Become a Powerboat School

Become a Powerboat School

What is a powerboat school, powerboat schools support the mission of us powerboating by providing recreational boaters of all skill levels with access to hands-on, on-the-water training and education courses. they support the u.s. coast guard's mission to minimize the loss of life, personal injury, property damage, and environmental impact associated with the use of recreational boats, through preventive means, in order to maximize safe use and enjoyment of u.s. waterways by the public., become a school.

If you represent a boating organization that is interested in providing training and education for recreational boaters, we want to speak with you!

We take the application process seriously to ensure that only we are delivering top quality training an education to the public. However, we will work with you throughout each step of the application process.

Below you will find the minimum requirements to be considered for application:

• Must have a minimum of one Certified Powerboat Instructor on staff for the level of powerboat instruction you will be offering.
• Must have classroom space.
• Own/charter the appropriate boat(s) you will be certifying your students on.

To apply, please download the Powerboat School Application or contact us to learn more!

U.S. Coast Guard Boating Safety Division

To learn more about the USCG's Boating Safety Division please visit their website: www.uscgboating.org/

Copyright ©2018-2024 US Powerboating. All rights reserved. Website designed & developed by Design Principles, Inc.