RYA Practical Boating Courses

The Coastguard Northern Region Maritime School is a recognised Royal Yachting Association (RYA) training centre, providing practical boat handling courses from introductory to advanced levels in powerboating (ideal for run-abouts, RIBs and other outboard driven craft) and motor cruising (launches).

Coastguard Northern Region has two vessels based just down the road at the Outboard Boating Club for the RYA courses. A 4.7 metre Southern Pacific inflatable with a 40hp Yamaha and a 5.8m Naiad with twin 60hp Yamahas.

The RYA is, without doubt, the world leader in small craft training, with over 140,000 people attending an RYA course every year. Their practical boat handling courses can lead to internationally recognised qualifications - great news for that charter holiday in the Mediterranean.

A huge thank you to the Outboard Boating Club, Naiad, Southern Pacific, Yamaha and Icom NZ for supporting our RYA Practical Powerboating Programme.

RYA Powerboat Level One - An essential, one day introduction to practical boat handling skills. This course covers launching and retrieving, slow speed  manoeuvres, high speed drills and MOB. There is a small theory element covered during the day on Rules of the Road at Sea and on water safety. 

Our Level 1 courses have a maximum Instructor / student ratio of 1:3 and we include certification and a copy of the RYA's Start Powerboating book as well as the Powerboat Scheme Syllabus / Logbook.

Please enquire by email.

RYA Powerboat Level Two - A comprehensive two day course covering all practical skills and background knowledge to be a competent powerboat driver. This indepth course covers the theory and practical skills required to confidently handle a powerboat in coastal waters. The course includes subjects covered in level one but in greater detail and also covers rough weather handling coming alongside anchoring and basic navigation.

Our Level 2 courses have a maximum Instructor / student ratio of 1:3 and we include certification and a copy of the RYA's Start Powerboating book as well as the Powerboat Scheme Syllabus / Logbook.

Next scheduled dates are:

Monday 25 & Tuesday 26 November (8:30 am - 4:30 pm) at Auckland Marine Rescue Centre

Saturday 7 & Sunday 8 December (8:30 am - 4:30 pm) at Auckland Marine Rescue Centre

Saturday 14 & Sunday 15 December (8:30 am - 4:30 pm) at Auckland Marine Rescue Centre

Please enquire by email.

RYA Personal Water Craft - A comprehensive course for the PWC (jet ski) users covering launching and recovering, passage planning and decision making, high and low speed skills, collision avoidance and safety and orientation at sea. Please enquire by email.

Our Personal Water Craft courses have a maximum Instructor / student ratio of 1:6 with no more than 2 students per PWC and we include certification and a copy of the RYA's Personal Watercraft Handbook.