Powerboat Level 2 Syllabus

Aim: To teach boat handling and seamanship in powerboats.

• Launching and recovery
  Use of a trailer or launching trolley
  Consideration of launching and sea conditions, including hazards and obstructions
  Number of persons required to launch/recover
  Construction, width and condition of slipway
  Steep/slippery slipways, beach launching, lee shores
  Care of trailer bearings, hitch, lashings, ties, lights and winch
  Trailer parking
  Prepare the boat, lines, fenders, safety equipment, fuel tanks, lines and secure gear on board
  
• Boat handling
  Loading: effect on handling and performance, effect on balance and trim, CE Plate and manufacturer's recommendation
  Displacement boats: handling ahead and astern, carrying way
  Crew members: minimum number in high speed craft, keeping a look-out
  Awareness of other water users, including effect of wash
  Steering, controls, effect of current or tidal stream
  High speed manoeuvring: planing, trim tabs and power trim
  Planing boats: propeller angle and immersion, shallow drive, high/low speed handling, tiller/console steering
  Carry out pre-start checks, engine starting and stoppping
  Demonstrate the use of an appropriate length kill cord at all times
  Carry out low speed manoeuvres including: turning in a confined area, effect of wind on bow and holding off. Demonstrate an awareness of the danger of flooding when going astern
  Carry out high speed manoeuvres including S-turns and U-turns
  
• Securing to a buoy
  Preparation of mooring warp
  Use of a boat hook
  Method of approach
  Crew communication
  Making fast
  Procedure when overshooting
  Approach and secure to buoy
  
• Anchoring
  Method of approach in various conditions
  Taking way off
  Crew communication
  Check holding
  Depth of water, holding ground, scope required
  Types of anchor
  Stowage and attachment to boat
  Preparation of anchor, chain and warp
  Weighing anchor
  Approach and anchor correctly
  Weigh anchor correctly
  
• Leaving and coming alongside
  Preparation and use of painter, lines and fenders, attachement to boat, stowage under way
  Speed and angle of approach
  Wind effect
  Method of approach in tidal stream or current
  Make fast alongside
  Use springs
  Leave - ahead or astern
  
• Man overboard
  Recovery or man overboard
  Take immediate action
  Observe the man overboard
  Carry out the correct return with awareness of propeller
  Approach and recover the man in the water
  
• Theory
  Types of craft: advantages and disadvantages of different hull forms with respect to sea keeping  ability
  Engines and drives: advantages and disadvantages of outboard, inboard and outdrive units, single and twin screws, choice and use of fuels
  Siting of fuel tanks, fuel lines, batteries, wiring, fire extinguishers
  Routine engine maintenance checks, basic fault diagnosis
  Close down procedure
  Advice to inland drivers about coastal waters
  Use and limitations of GPS
  Application of local byelaws, especially around commercial shipping
  Sources of weather information
  Awareness of other water users
  Communication with other craft - hand and sound signals
  Disabled craft
  Emergency action, preventing sinking
  Adrift - alternative means or propulsion
  Towing and being towed
  Fire precautions and fire fighting
  Ropework
  Distress signals and the Mayday call
  Apply IRPCS, principally rules 5,7,8,9,12-19
  
• Coastal
  Pilotage and passage planning
  CG66 Small Craft Safety Scheme
  Charts, chart symbols, buoyage systems
  Tides and tidal streams
  Use steering and hand bearing compasses
  Apply Section A on coastal waters