Narrowboat Handling and Management courses

There are moments on a cruise; such as when turning a Narrowboat around at Ellesmere, in front of an appreciative audience, that you really  start to wonder if a little training would not go amiss. Especially if your effort was a 15 point turn compared to the previous guy who somehow managed to turn a 70ft boat on a sixpence (if you remember what one of those was).

Inevitably you learnt a little from the bloke at the boat yard who covered the basics when you left in your hire boat for the first time.

Yes, you have discovered a few tricks for yourself and have had the benefit of instruction from the gentleman in the pub as well

But how are you really supposed to do it?

Few people really consider while they meander down a canal at 3mph is that the beast they are in charge of probably weighs about  15 Tons or more, therefore has a similar impact momentum at 3mph to a medium size family car travelling at 40mph!
A car of that sort can do quite a lot of damage at that speed, yet  the novice Bargee in a vehicle well capable of a similar amount of devastation may go out ridiculously innocent of any knowledge of the craft in their hands, or the dangers and safety issues involved. Let along any real idea of the rules and etiquette of the waterways
This is  a vehicle with no brakes, dodgy steering  and a willing  victim to cross currents and strong guests of wind.

The price tag would also  buy a small fleet of basic family cars!

Perhaps a little training is not such a bad idea!

Much can be learnt from searching the internet and relevant canal related websites and forums, but there is not replacement for practical experience under the supervision of someone who know what they are doing,

The usual course recommended is  the Inland Waterways Helmsmans Course developed by the R.Y.A. ( Royal Yachting Association )

Aim of Course

To introduce both newcomers and the more experienced boater to the arts of better and safer boating through a greater understanding of the principles involved.

Course Notes

76-page handbook included in cost Sent when you book.

Qualification

Successful candidates will receive the RYA Inland Waters Helmsmans Certificate Having obtained this qualification, we can issue an I C C (International Certificate of Competence) for those who wish to cruise in France or Holland. Please see our I.C.C. and C.E.V.N.I. details.

Syllabus

Deck Work Handling ropes and fenders Common nautical terms  Knots - clove hitch, round turn and two half hitches, bowline, boatman's hitch. Throwing a coiled rope Securing to bollards, cleats, rings and mooring stakes.  Boat handling and helsmanship Weight and Loading distribution Steering in a rivera  or canal .  Speed control Inter-action, canal effect, bottom  and bottom  effect. Prop effect 'winding' , Turning and reversing.  Un-berthing and berthing alongside. Man overboard recovery Safety - Personal Risk Identification - Cold Shock etc.. Use of  bouyancy aids and life jackets. Personal injury avoidance, including safe methods  when fending off to avoid crushed limbs. Special risks to children.

Safety - Boat Fire risks, particularly deisel, petrol and gas Use of fire control appliances - extinguishers Ensuring the boat is watertight. Recovery from grounding. Engines Care of Engines  Routine checks while running and before starting and .  Periodic routine checks.Locks Understanding of water of levels. Operating locks. Management or ropes in locks. Safety , Man overboard proceedures in locks. Tunnels and Bridges Operation of bridges and tunnels Avoidance of Collisions 'Defensive meaures in boatig. Sailing  and steering, the Regulations of the International rules for Preventing Collisions at Sea. Local regulations and Bye-laws , including; signs and priorities and  traffic signals, . Understanding of  other  and Local regulations and..National  Environmental Care Avoiding damage to boats, banks, flora and fauna. Pollution avoidance. Consideration for other water use

After this you could try for the Boatmasters Licence Course
Tier II Course or other courses if you want to take thinks further.

Numerous other courses are also available to help first time buyers/owners, first aid courses, engine maintenance ..

Narrowboat Timeshare Rentals

Hire Companies - directory,  notes and contacts

Narrowboat Insurance

Site Map

( For many more articles )

Contact