Background:
The powerboat skills assessment has been introduced in line with the dinghy instructor assessment. Over recent years there has been an increase in the number of instructor candidates failing the course due to poor boat handling skills and lack of background knowledge. This has been disappointing for the candidates concerned and also disruptive to the course.
Introduction:
These guidance notes are for instructor candidates, Powerboat Trainers, Prinicpals and Regional Development Officers. They explain the content, conduct and standard of the assessment.
These guidance notes should be read in conjunction with the Powerboat logbook G20/04 and Powerboat Instructors handbook G19/08.
The assessment will be phased in from April 2008. Any instructor candidate already booked on to an existing course may attend without completing the assessment. However, course providers should make every effort to make the Skills Assessment available from April.
The assessment will become compulsory from September 2008, after which candidates must have passed the assessment before being accepted on to the Instructor training course.
Instructor candidates are expected to demonstrate their ability to the level of CAN in ALL aspects of the level 2 syllabus as described in the Powerboat logbook G20/04.
Conduct of the assessment:
The assessment will be carried out by a Powerboat Trainer at a recognised training centre or affliated club.
Duration: Minimum 4 hours
Carried out at: Recognised Powerboat Training centres or affiliated club
Venue: Coastal or Inland
Assessed by: Powerboat Trainer
Eligibility: Powerboat level 2 (Coastal or Inland)
Minimum age: 16 years
Ratio: Max 1:6, using 2 boats (i.e. 3 candidates per boat)
Only candidates holding a Level 2 Powerboat certificate with a coastal endorsement will be eligible to attend a coastal instructor course.
The candidate should be given the opportunity that he/she can demonstrate a level of proficiency in the subject being assessed. Therefore the candidate should be able to explain the subject in great depth, including background theory and practical demonstration. E.G. IRPCS - The candidate could explain and demonstrate the correct action to be taken to avoid collisions with other craft, principally rules 5, 7, 8, 9, 12-19.
Practical assessment:
Practical assessment will include all elements of the Powerboat Level 2 direct assessment. i.e. Familiarisation, Moor alongside (down wind/tide), Turn using warps, Man overboard, Stop/Start engine, High speed runs, S & U turns, Securing to a buoy, Holding off, Turning in own boat length etc.
Completion:
Upon completion Trainers will make an entry into the candidate's logbook G20/04 giving details of the venue, date and outcome. Trainers are encourages to record details of both passes and failures. Unsuccessful candidates should have the reasons for not passing explained to them. The Trainer should give some guidance in what is needed to achieve their goal. This can be in the form of a short action plan recorded in the logbook. If an action plan is set and partial reassessment is required the candidate must complete this before attending the instructor course. Trainers/Principals should check that a candidate is eligible before accepting them on to an instructor training course. Successful candidates should endeavour to attend their Instructor training course within 12 months of passing the Powerboat skills assessment.
Published Feb '08 -Updates to this information will be posted on the RYA Training website http://www.ryatraining.org/