I.S.A National Powerboat Scheme

Junior (u 16) Powerboat Course : 2 Days 10:00 – 16:30

Provides a practical introduction to crewing and boat handling skills in open power driven craft. We use small dinghies and inflatables as well as RIBs on this course. Different levels for juniors – beginner, improver and advanced.
Course contents: 1. Launch and recovery. 2. Preparation of boat and crew 3. Boat handling. 4. Leaving and coming alongside. 5. Being towed. 6. Ropework 

 

Introduction to Powerboating:(Level 1)

Course Duration: 1 Day 10:00-17:00

Provides a practical introduction to crewing and boat handling skills in open power driven craft. Designed for beginners – most people complete this course before going on to complete the National Powerboat Course. Course is set at an easy enjoyable pace with a short shorebased session and most of the day spent afloat under the guidance of your instructor.

Course contents: 1. Launch and recovery. 2. Preparation of boat and crew 3. Boat handling. 4. Leaving and coming alongside. 5. Being towed.

 

National Powerboat Course:(Level2) 

Course Duration: 2 Days 10:00-17:00 (Sat) + (Sun)

Provides a thorough insight to boat handling and the associated background knowledge. The aim of this two day course is to develop the skills and knowledge that allow participants to safely and effectively skipper an open powerboat by day, on inland and coastal waters with which they are familiar.

The ISA recommends this Certificate as the minimum level of training/knowledge required before anyone uses a power boat on their own. Beginners attend this course and the Introduction to Powerboating as part of the same two day course. Those with limited or no experience should achieve Level 1 and those with experience or holders of Level1 may achieve Level 2 at the end of the course.

Course contents: 1. Launch and recovery. 2. Boat handling under way. 3. Securing to a buoy. 4. Anchoring. 5. Coming alongside. 6. Man overboard. 7. Disabled craft. 8. Types of craft. 9. Engines and drives. 10. Ancillary and safety equipment. 11. Buoyage systems. 12. Chartwork. 13. Tides.

The National Powerboat Cert is mandatory for all sailing/windsurfing instructors. SailCork is a registered ICC Centre – the National Powerboat Cert. leads directly to the ICC Power (International Cert of Competence)

Direct Assessment for experienced skippers :  For those with a lot of powerboating experience this certificate can also be achieved through direct assessment. This is ONLY for those with significant boating experience. Normally this would be a minimum of at least a number of years experience helming powerboats. The assessment will include all elements of the syllabus of the National Powerboat Course. There will be an assessment of all elements of background knowledge in the syllabus – this will be conducted orally on a one to one basis and with a written assessment paper.

The boat handling skills assessment afloat will include: Start + Stop engine. Coming alongside (Both against and with tide/wind), securing and departing.  Securing to buoy (mooring) and anchoring. Turning in confined space. Holding off. Figure of 8 ahead and astern. MOB recovery. Planing exercises – S + U turns. 

Candidates who wish to undertake a direct assessment must provide details of their previous experience. The best way to present this is by filling in full details of their experience in the Personal Log section of the ISA Powerboat Logbook. This includes details of dates, types of boat, power units (engines), type of activity and details of passages, weather and distances covered. The logbook is available from SailCork. 

International Certificate of Competence (ICC): SailCork is a registered ICC Centre – the National Powerboat Cert. leads directly to the ICC Power (International Cert of Competence) On achieving the National Powerboat Certificate holders may apply to the ISA (Irish Sailing Assoc) for an ICC(Power). Click for ICC Application Form.  Further info on the ICC

Safety Boat Course: 

Course Duration: 2 Days 1000-1700(Sat) + (Sun)

Provides a thorough insight into safety and rescue techniques and a practical introduction to the techniques needed by sailing/windsurfing club/school safety boat crews. (Level 2 powerboat cert a pre-requisite)

Course contents: 1. Preparation of boat and crew. 2. Boat handling. 3. Dinghy Rescue. 4. Windsurfer rescue. 5. Towing. 6. End of day procedures. 7. Safety. 8. Suitability of craft. 9. Local factors. 10. Communication.11. Rescuing other water users.

 

 

 

Recreational Powerboat Course (Intermediate Course): 

Course Duration: 2 Days 1000-1700(Sat) + (Sun)

This is an improver course for those who have Level 2 and who want to drive a boat better and safer as well as navigation by day. Covers the practical use of pilotage and passage planning by day on coastal waters, using both traditional and electronic navigational techniques

Contents: 1.Preparation – boat + crew. 2 Boat handling. 3. Basic Navigation 4. Safety at sea 5.Towing. 6.End of day procedures. 7. Adverse weather 8.Suitability of craft. 9. Local factors 

 

Advanced Powerboat Course:

Course Duration: 2 Days + one evening (Hours depend on time of year)
This is the highest award in powerboat driving. This is a special course for the powerboat enthusiast and for professional boat drivers.  The aim is to teach boat handling, seamanship, pilotage and navigation required to drive a planing powerboat safely by day and by night in coastal waters. Candidates must be competent to at least level 2 and lots of driving experience and with a background in navigation and chartwork to Dayskipper standard.

Course contents: 1. Preparation. 2. Boat handling. 3. Navigation 4. Passage Making. 5. Pilotage. 6.Coastal Knowledge. 

7. Meteorology 8. Tides  9. Rules of the Road. 10. Use of Engines. 11. Emergency Situations. 12. Night cruising. 13.Care of boats and equipment.

NB SailCork also runs special navigation courses to prepare candidates for the Advanced Powerboat Course. Full Navigation Courses and Advanced Powerboat Courses are available for groups at any location in Ireland. More details by calling 021 4811237 or [email protected]

 

Powerboat Instructor Courses: 

SailCork has been running Powerboat Instructor Courses for longer than any other establishment in Ireland. We have many happy graduates teaching in Ireland and abroad and indeed many of our graduates are now running their own schools. If you have the necessary pre requisites and are interested please call us and we will be very happy to help you. See Powerboat Instructor page for full details. 

Powerboat Instructor  Provides the competent and experienced powerboat handler (Level 2 and 5 seasons experience a prerequisite) with the training to teach powerboating up to the standard of ISA Powerboat Level 2 under the supervision of the Principal of an ISA recognised teaching establishment.

Safety Boat Instructor Two day course to train safety boat instructors. Prerequisite – Safety boat certificate and Powerboat Instructor. 

Recreational Powerboat Instructor Two day course to train Recreational Powerboat instructors. Prerequisite – Recreational Powerboat certificate and Powerboat Instructor.

Advanced Powerboat Instructor 3 day course to train to the most advanced level. Prerequitsite – Powerboat Instructor, Advanced Power Boat cert., Navigation/pilotage to Day Skipper standard and VHF Cert.