Do you want to learn to drive a small powerboat? Would you like to volunteer on a safety boat to support your local club? Or perhaps you’re looking to get qualified as an Instructor or Assistant Instructor? The Royal Melbourne Sail Training Academy offers Powerboat Handling and Safety Boat Operator courses under the Australian Sailing Powerboat training scheme. Our courses are delivered by accredited instructors with extensive boating and training experience.

Australian Sailing Powerboat courses offer:

  • On-water training in the safe operation of powerboats, including docking, use of mooring lines, launching, recovery over a ramp or beach, anchoring, manoeuvring at slow & high speed, man overboard procedures and more.
  • Theory training in coastal navigation using charts, tidal calculations, weather, marine buoyage, navigation lights, marine regulations, safety equipment and procedures, basic maintenance, marine knots and more.

Powerboat Handling Course

This course combines the skills taught under the Start Powerboating course with more advanced skills. Specifically, maneuvering in confined areas such as marinas and in swell and waves.

In this course, you will also learn more about engines, types of craft, and chart navigation.

The AS Powerboat Handlers Course is nationally recognised and is the industry standard course for sailing instructors, coaches, and club volunteers.
This course will also help prepare you with the knowledge required for obtaining your theory-only boat license from VicRoads. If you have your boat license already, there still will be plenty for you to learn including how to handle a powerboat safely.

Powerboat Handling Course Details:

Duration: 20 hours. Run over as a Friday evening and all day Sunday program
Hours: Friday 6.30 -9.30. Sunday 9am – 5pm

Cost:  $398 per person.
Dates: Click on the below link to see available course dates and to book.

Safety Powerboat Operator Course

This course will develop your powerboat skills so that you can support all water-based activities. Upon completion, you will be able to provide safety support at sailing clubs, national sailing events, schools and recreation centres. If you want to become a qualified sailing instructor, Australian Sailing Coach (now mandatory) or official, this course is ideal.

These courses are excellent for teaching higher level powerboat skills necessary for all water sports. They are especially necessary to support high performance sailing events and class regattas. These courses are conducted infrequently in Victoria, so please don’t miss your opportunity!

What you’ll learn in a Safety Powerboat Operator Course:

You’ll learn about race course design, practice on-water rescue of dinghies and get an awareness of techniques to support kite surfers and kayaks. You’ll also discover how to safely rescue or re-right other craft, recover persons from the water, and where to position your boat on a race course. Your close quarter docking, holding station and anchoring/kedging will also be practiced.

At least 6 months powerboat driving experience to the standard of the Powerboat Handling Qualification is required to undertake this course. Participants must be at least 16 years old. For more information, see the course overview.

Safety Powerboat Operator Details:

Duration: 12 hours

Cost: $295 per person

For more information, contact Colin at the Royal Melbourne Sail Training Academy.

Phone: 03 9534 0227
Email: training@rmys.com.au