Location: Calcutt Boats, Stockton, Warwickshire
Duration: 1 day (Approx. 09:00 – 17:00)
Certification: RYA Inland Waterways Helmsman Licence (no expiry date)

Minimum Age: 12yrs – all under 18’s must be accompanied by a responsible adult.                                                            
Price: £185 per person with minimum of 2 candidates or £255 for a single candidate.

Why Direct Assessment:

If you are an experienced boater, you can consider taking a direct assessment to be awarded the Inland Waterways Helmsman certificate.

You should ideally have the equivalent of at least one full season helming on the inland waterways. You may take the course on our training centre boat or with prior agreement on your own boat. (Additional charges may apply if our instructor is required to travel to your location for an own boat assessment.)

You should be able to demonstrate without tuition all the practical elements of the syllabus and also answer questions satisfactorily on the theoretical elements. On successful completion of the assessment, you will be awarded the RYA Helmsman certificate.

The RYA Helmsman certification is aimed at commercial operators and leisure users alike and provides ‘insurance company standard’ training for private boaters. For those of you also needing to apply for an International Certificate of Competence (ICC) the RYA Helmsman licence will meet the requirements for the ICC practical for inland waterways on the continent.

You will need to Demonstrate:

During the assessment will be asked to demonstrate your boat handling skills and safety knowledge to confidently helm a boat on the inland waterways.

Core Skills:

• Boat Handling: How to steer, stop, and turn under various conditions, including slow-speed manoeuvring, reversing and dealing with wind and current/waterflow.
• Mooring Techniques: Securely mooring alongside wharf’s, pontoons, and banks, as well as using mooring lines and fenders properly.
• Locks and Bridges: Safe and efficient techniques for operating locks and understanding different types of bridges and how to navigate them.
• Winding – turning your boat around.
• Crew communication and responsibilities.
• Basic Navigation: Understanding buoyage, signs, signals, and the “rules of the road” on inland waterways.
• Engine Checks: Basic pre-start engine maintenance and troubleshooting to keep your boat running safely.

Safety:

• Collision Avoidance: Demonstrating safe speeds, emergency stops, sound signals, and best practices to prevent accidents.
• Emergency Procedures: What to do in case of engine failure, grounding, or man overboard situations.
• Personal Safety: Lifejacket use, boarding techniques, and general safety around water and boats.

Environmental Awareness:

• Care for the Waterways: How to navigate responsibly, protecting wildlife and the waterways environment.
• Etiquette and Courtesy: Understanding good practice and traditions of inland boating to share the waterways considerately.

Certification:

Successful participants receive the RYA Inland Waterways Helmsman Licence, valid indefinitely. This meets the requirements for:

• RYA Instructors
• Commercial Endorsements
• Most marine industry roles
• Boat owners and skippers (inland)
• ICC practical skills endorsement
• Volunteers or staff for community or charity boats, canal trusts or hire companies

   Course Details:

• Assessment Group Size:  3 max.
• Instructor: RYA-certified Inland Waterways instructor
• Included: Inland Waterways Handbook, certificate, tea/coffee
• What to Bring: Notebook, packed lunch, and comfy clothes
• Free Parking

Venue:

All courses are held at Calcutt Boats, right on the Grand Union Canal. Our training room overlooks the marina and you’ll benefit from unique waterside training environment.

Address:
Calcutt Boats
Tomlow Road,
Stockton,
Southam,
CV47 8HX

Upcoming Dates:

We offer Inland Waterways Helmsman direct assessments on a direct booking basis as required. To check availability please get in touch:

training@calcuttboats.com
01926 813757

Booking & Info:

Ready to get started?
Visit our Booking Page or contact us with any questions.