RYA Inland Waterways Helmsmen Certificate
This RYA IWHC course includes the following elements:
Canal safety information
Manoeuvring the boat to come to the jetty or canal moorings
Locks
Sound signals and navigation lights
General engine information and checks
Fire
Man overboard
Anchoring
Knots currents, tunnels and signs
Rules of the road and lots of essential safety advice
How a boat moves and steers forwards and astern
International Certificate of Competence (CEVNI)
CEVNI stands for Code Européen des Voies de Navigation Intérieure. It is the code governing navigation on the interconnected European inland waterways and is the basis of the various countries' own regulations.
Signs, rules and procdures for navigating the European inland waterways are all included within the CEVNI code and in the same way as pleasure craft on coastal waters are expected to abide by the COLREGS, pleasure craft on the inland waterways of Europe, which in places are heavily utilised by commercial traffic are expected to know and follow the CEVNI code.
VHF Radio Certificate
For a taster video of the course please follow the link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0m5ESvtt0qY
Marine VHF radio is the best way of summoning help. You can contact the coastguard up to 50 miles off-shore and talk to other yachts up to 15 to 20 miles on the open sea. If you use a marine VHF radio onboard your yacht you are required, by law, to hold a marine radio operator’s certificate. This is an interactive on line course followed by a practical assessment and written exam, which on completion, you will be a competent radio operator and know the correct procedure for distress, urgency, safety by means of marine VHF DSC radio.
VHF communications
Controls found on marine VHF set
Channels (simplex & duplex)
VHF communication range
VHF DSC (Digital Selective Calling)
Distress, Safety and Routine Calling
MMSI (Maritime Mobile Service Identity) numbers
Ships licence and radio regulations
Voice procedures
Maydays, Pan-Pans etc.
NAVTEX
MSI (Martine Safety Information) broadcasts
Stations
Portable safety equipment
EPIRB (Emergency Positioning Indication Radio Beacons)
SARTs (Search & Rescue radar Transponders)
