THE FULL-DAY HELMSMAN COURSE

The RYA has always made great play of the fact that it is self-regulating and wants training to remain recommended rather than mandatory like it is elsewhere in Europe. That way there are the least number of barriers stopping people taking up leisure boating.

The majority of people get their first taste of boating by hiring a boat for a holiday or having a day out with friends.

Many novice and experienced boaters are self taught and having no training can lead to boaters living with faults and bad habits in boat handling they are not aware of. This can often seriously dent their confidence with some even giving up.

The Norfolk Yacht Agency noticed over the years that people who take training enjoy their boating far more that those who are self taught so they not only recommend but strongly encourage all their customers to take up the full day helmsman course.

They were also aware that training should be made available to as many boaters as possible so linked with Norfolk based Royal Yachting Association instructor, Mick Reynolds to give training to anyone.

Mick Reynolds has 40 years experience in both sailing and powerboats and is a qualified Yacht Master Commercial Skipper, he has extensively cruised the east coast, Caribbean and Europe.   

Many insurance companies will no longer cover a boat unless its boatmaster has taken some form of training.

Mick says: "The emphasis of the whole day is about safety; safety of your boat, safety of its crew and safety of the environment and other water users".

The Helmsman course will teach and instruct both newcomers and the more experienced boater in the principles of better and safer boating.