A Brief Guide To The RYA (Power-boat and Sailing)
The RYA is the national governing body in the UK for all forms of boating from power-boat training courses, Sailing and Windsurfing. The RYA works with other Government agencies, local authorities and the harbour/navigation authorities such as Salcombe and Dartmouth to ensure that the public’s right of navigation is always upheld. The RYA provides training courses for both leisure boaters (beginners) and professionals. RYA courses are renowned both in the UK and in many other countries. The RYA constantly modifies and remodels its training courses to make sure that their courses are up-to-date and cover all the aspects in Power-boating and Sailing and are drawn from professionals in particular fields of expertise, with many years of experience. RYA courses are designed to give its pursuers a comprehensive understanding of safety issues, regulations and emerging trends; among other things.
The British Government’s Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), which is an agency in the Department of Transport, has authorized RYA to issue certificates of competence to personnel who have successfully completed RYA training courses. Certificates issued by RYA are recognized throughout the world as is evident by the fact that 13,000 professionals having RYA certificates are employed on commercial vessels. Currently there are over 100 different RYA courses offered to the public. These sailing courses can be categorized into Sail Cruising, Motor Cruising, Navigation and Seamanship Theory, Specialist Short Courses, Power-boating, Small Boat Sailing, Windsurfing, Inland Waterways and Personal Watercraft.
If you are wishing to pursue a sailing or powerboat course, it is always advisable to check the credentials of the training centre to ensure they have been certified by the RYA. You can visit the RYA official website to check whether there are any RYA recognized training schools in your area. You can conduct a search by your location and by the type of course preferred. The website also lists out the types of courses offered by RYA. It will provide you with the vital information needed to make a decision such as Pre-course experience, Assumed knowledge, minimum duration and course content. Judge your level of competence as well as your personal preference and select a training course which is most suitable for you.
After completing the course you will be required to face an examination to check whether you have acquired the skills set forth by the course. If you are a resident in the UK, you are given the option of applying privately or through a RYA recognized training school, but if you are a resident in another country, you will have to apply through a RYA recognized sailing institute. If you are applying for the exam privately, you are given the option of applying online.
Last Updated: December 13, 2011
