Powerboat Training
GSC will be offering the National Powerboat Certificate (Level 2) for basic skills, Introduction to Powerboating, and Advanced Powerboat for coastal trips, covering boat handling, man-overboard, navigation, and rules of the road for both leisure and potential instructor roles. These practical, hands-on courses teach essential skills for safe operation, from manoeuvring in tight spaces to high-speed handling and emergency procedures, using RIBs (Rigid Inflatable Boats).
Contact: development@gsc.ie.
Introduction to Powerboating
The aim of this course is to provide a short practical introduction to boat handling and safety on powerboats being used on all Irish waters, in both a console and tiller-controlled craft. This course is ideal for parents looking to volunteer as crew on a safety boat for beginner sailing races, regattas, or any training in calm conditions. This course is heavily orientated to the practical usage of a power-driven vessel and focuses on learning by doing.
Number of participants: 3
Minimum Age: 16 or 16 within 6 months of completing the course.
What's covered:
This course covers a range of topics including:
- Preparation of a boat and equipment for use
- Basic boat handling
- As crew, assisting in all regular manoeuvres of a boat including but not limited too, anchoring, mooring, docking, recovering a man overboard.
- The rules and regulations of powerboat operation
- Basic weather theory, pilotage, navigation, and rope work.
Duration:
- One full day.
- The day is long with few breaks.
- It is recommended all participants bring a packed lunch and wear appropriate gear (see below)
Gear:
Recommended Gear (not provided):
- Oilskin/splash-proof leggings, waterproof boots (quality wellies would suffice), warm base layers, thick outer layers, waterproof jacket.
Mandatory gear (can be provided if necessary):
- Personal Flotation Device
- Plastic whistle
National Powerboat Certificate
The aim of this course is to develop the skills and knowledge necessary to safely, and effectively, skipper an open powerboat, by day, on inland and coastal waters with which they are familiar, in both a console and tiller-controlled craft. This course is a necessary pre-requisite for anyone wishing to partake in the Irish sailing instructor course, and a legal obligation for the operation of power-driven vessels in Irish coastal waters. This course is heavily orientated to the practical usage of a power-driven vessel and focuses on learning by doing.
Number of participants: 3
Minimum Age: 16 or 16 within 6 months of completing the course.
What's covered:
This course covers a range of topics including:
- Preparation of boat and equipment for use
- Propper safety onboard a power-driven vessel
- Launch and recovery
- Basic boat handling
- Manoeuvring while on the plane
- Leaving and coming alongside
- Securing to a mooring and anchoring
- Recovery of a man overboard
- Rules and regulations of operating a power-driven vessel
- Rope work
- Basic care of an engine
- Towing
- Theory of weather, coastal navigation, and pilotage.
Duration:
- Two full days (not necessarily consecutive).
- The day is long with few breaks.
- It is recommended all participants bring a packed lunch and wear appropriate gear (see below)
Gear:
Recommended Gear (not provided):
- Oilskin/splash-proof leggings, waterproof boots (quality wellies would suffice), warm base layers, thick outer layers, waterproof jacket.
Mandatory gear (can be provided if necessary):
- Personal Flotation Device
- Plastic whistle