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AUGUST 2009
GO GREEN!
■ HOW GREEN IS YOUR BOAT? ■ YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED ■ ELEKTRA BOAT TEST ■ ELECTRIC OUTBOARDS FOR YOUR DINGHY
HEAVENLY HOLIDAYS CHOOSING THE PERFECT SPOT FOR YOUR SUMMER HOLS
CLASSIC BOATING
NEW BOAT LAUNCHES
BUYING ELECTRONICS THE LUXURY BUYS THAT HAVE BECOME ESSENTIALS ON YOUR BOAT
Editorial Editor: Jane Rickard Email: EditorBoatMart@Boatmart.co.uk Art Editor: Mark Hyde Contributors: Peter Caplen, Angela Clay, Simon Everett, Adrian French, David Greenwood, Susan Greenwood, Colin Jones, Irving Stewart, Ted Tuckerman, David Webber
ELEKTRA Stand out from the crowd and help the environment too.
Advertising Tel: 01223-460-490 Jody Bratley: Group Sales Manager Tel: 01223-444-087 Senior Sales Manager: Samantha Broome Sales Executive: Claire Broadmoore Private Advertising Queries: 01223-460-490 Designers: Flo Terentjev, Sarah Hughes, Ben Ingham
Production Studio Manager: Sal Law Production Controller: Anthony Gibbons Tel: 01223-460-490 Email: copy@cslpublishing.com
Subscriptions Subscription Hotline: 01223-444-081 Fax: 01223-315-960 Email: subscriptions@cslpublishing.co.uk Managing Editor: Keith Moody Managing Director: Sue Baggaley Web: www.boatmart.co.uk
Published by: CSL Publishing Ltd, Alliance House, 49 Sidney Street, Cambridge, CB2 3HX Tel: 01223-460-490 Fax: 01223-315-960 © 2009 CSL Publishing Ltd CSL Publishing also publishes All At Sea, Sports Boat & RIB, Jet Skier & PW and Boat & Yacht Buyer magazines. Printed by Garnett Dickenson Distributed by Comag Specialist Tavistock Road, West Drayton UB7 7QE DISCLAIMER The views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the publishers. Every care is taken to ensure that the contents of the magazine are accurate but the publishers cannot accept responsibility for errors. While reasonable care is taken when accepting advertisements, the publishers cannot accept any responsibility for any resulting unsatisfactory transactions. They will however investigate any written complaints. CSL prints advertisements provided to the publisher but gives no warrantee and makes no representation as to truth, accuracy or sufficiency of any description, photograph or statement. CSL accepts no liability for any loss which may be suffered by any person who relied either wholly or in part upon any description, photograph or statement contained herein. The advertiser warrants that the advertisement does not contravene any Act of Parliament nor is it in any way illegal or defamatory or an infringement of any other party’s rights or of the British Code of Advertising Practice. For artistic purposes lifejackets are not shown in all of the photographs. Boat Mart strongly advises that lifejackets are worn at all times for watersports. COPYRIGHT No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted without the prior written permission of the publisher. Photocopying or other reproduction without the publisher’s permission is a breach of copyright and action will be taken where this occurs.
This magazine is printed on 100% post-consumer recycled paper
FIND YOUR DREAM BOAT
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WHAT CAN I BUY?
BOAT MART FEATURES BUYING ADVICE ELEKTRA .......................... 26 Stand out from the crowd and help the environment too. SEAMARK 570SC ............. 32 Irving Stewart reports on this newly launched boat.
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NEW BOATS ...................... 37 There’s a touch of luxury in this month’s selection. BUYING USED ................... 40 Essential advice for buying a secondhand boat. WHAT CAN I BUY? ............ 46 Here’s what £18,000 will buy you, plus money saving tips. GET HITCHED ................... 52 Towcar news and how to buy a car the green way. AN ISLAND SECRET ......... 58 SP, a company working hard behind the scenes of the boating industry.
DINGHY WORLD
EQUIPMENT TOP GEAR ........................ 62 The very latest in marine kit. BOAT MART Q&A .............. 70 Your green boating questions answered. INSHORE SKIPPER ........... 75 What are your weather forecast options? ELECTRONICS MADE EASY ...................... 79 Which luxury items do you have, and what would you like?
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LIFESTYLE CLASSIC CORNER ............ 85 Simon Everett looks at classic ways to go green. SOUTH WALES BOAT SHOW ..................... 88 Irving Stewart reports from this popular event.
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NEW BOATS
HEAVENLY HOLIDAYS ....... 92 An idyllic alternative for those looking to escape our shores. DINGHY WORLD ............... 97 Going electric with your dinghy. ANGLING GUIDE ............. 101 Fishing for bass, plus what’s your technique?
GREEN BOATING ............ 107 How do you dispose of your hazardous waste? A QUESTION OF BOATS .. 109 Find out how much you know about boats. DIARY DATES ................. 111 Plan your month with our comprehensive guide to shows and events. PRACTICAL TECH TALK ..................... 113 How big should your battery bank be? PRACTICAL MONTHLY .... 116 News, tips and jobs for practical boaters. PROJECT NO.96 ............. 121 The installation of a top-of-therange ‘supercool’ unit into a standard marine coolbox. PRACTICAL BOATING ..... 125 Improve your boat’s green profile and you may even save money. COMPETITION COMPETITION .................. 65 £300 worth of nautical books up for grabs. BOAT MART REGULARS Throw Us A Line ............... 09 Newsline ........................... 15 Mystery Boats ................... 22 Subscribe ......................... 86 Courses ............................ 126 Boats & Yachts For Sale .. 133 Boat Test Database ........ 129 Classifieds ...................... 150 Next Issue ...................... 160
BUYING ADVICE
ELEKTRA There is something very elegant about electrically driven boats. They are silent, graceful and seem to move as if by magic. Here are Simon Everett’s thoughts on the 24ft Elektra.
E
lectrical power is nothing new, there have been electrically driven boats ever since Michael Faraday discovered electricity and how to harness the power. The Victorians had electric boats on the major waterways, especially the river Thames, using glass cased, lead acid accumulators. The biggest drawback for electric drive on boats has always been the limitations of battery life on range, or the lack of speed. This has also translated into reduced performance when having to
26 I August 2009 I Boat Mart
battle headwinds or current. That is, until now. As with all other technologies, great strides have been made in battery efficiency over the last five years. Batteries are now lighter, more powerful and charge faster than those old accumulators. The stability of the cells is an important aspect; some battery construction is liable to overheat when put under heavy load. Who can forget those laptops that burst into flames when their batteries became too hot? Imagine the consequences of a bank of batteries going up in flames in a boat. Lithium phosphate batteries have been produced, which will provide the
necessary current delivery and remain totally stable, even when subjected to a very high current drain. It is the development of these batteries that has led to the breakthrough in electrically powered craft being able to sustain a decent speed for a reasonable length of time, thus providing a respectable range. Regular deep discharging of conventional lead acid batteries to more than 70% of their capacity shortens their service life considerably, but these new batteries are able to recover from almost total discharge frequently with no ill effects and recharge quickly.
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ORKNEY ELEKTRA 592 IMPROVED MOTORS
ELEKTRA ARRIVES
In parallel with the advance in battery design has been the advancement in motor design and efficiency. They too have become smaller and lighter for a given power output. A leading company in this field is the Lynch Electric Motor company from Honiton, Devon. They have been leaders in electric motors for industrial appliances, vehicles and marine installations, for instance the electrically powered water taxis in Dubai run with Lynch motors. Lynch produce pancake motors with very high torque characteristics in a neat, compact package. The high torque aspects of electric motors are how a small electric motor is able to provide similar thrust to a much larger internal combustion engine.
Patterson Boat Works in the English Lake District are no strangers to electric boats. They have been looking after a number of classic electric boats for years and build river launches mostly for the lakes and the River Thames. The concept for Elektra came about from a gentleman who required a sleek, individually styled boat that would get across the Bay of St. Tropez for dinner and then home again. That was the design criteria that Simon Patterson was to work around. Elektra breaks new ground in electric boats in that she has a top speed of 17 knots, which she can maintain for about one hour and thirty minutes, easily surpassing the brief. Her slender hull has been designed by Nigel Irons, and exhibits many of his ocean racing yacht lines. There is the straight stem with underwater extension, an extremely fine entry gently flares to a rounded mid section, finally flattening off to provide a stable boat that remains high in the water
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when loaded and moves with virtually no wash. When you have a limited amount of power available you don’t want to waste any of it moving water unnecessarily. Consequently, while her top speed is 17 knots at full power, she will still achieve about 14 knots at half power, doubling her range. At a cruising speed of 8 knots she has sufficient power in the battery bank for about 150 miles on one charge, making her a very practical proposition. In order to achieve such a slippery hull shape and to provide the greatest power to weight ratio the hull has been built from a vacuum laminated, carbon foam sandwich. This provides enormous strength and rigidity for minimal weight. For purely aesthetic reasons the deck is made of oak and Douglas fir with Patterson’s trademark aluminium caulking between the planks. On the water and underway she reminds me very much of the early Dreadnaughts in her forward lines, and her stern is a modern take on the slipper launch. The overall effect is very distinctive and
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Boat Mart I August 2009 I 27
EQUIPMENT
TOP GEAR
ENGINE NEWS � KIT & ACCESSORIES � BOOK REVIEWS � BUYING ADVICE
NEW CREW JACKET
After giving away a Gill jacket in last month’s issue, we can now also tell you about the up-date to the classic Gill Crew Jacket range. Made from a softer, smoother, breathable and fully waterproof fabric, the new Crew Jacket also includes a warm internal fleece lining, fleece lined zipper pockets and a good height fleece lined collar. This jacket is great for keeping warm on cooler autumnal days in the boat park or around the marina. As well as the classic colour options of red, navy and charcoal, the jacket is now also available in lime green. The Gill Men’s Crew Jacket is available in sizes XS - XXL priced at £80. Gill: 0115-946-0844 / www.gillmarine.com
WINNING SONAR
Humminbird’s Side Imaging Sonar, the big screen Humminbird 1197c SI Combo, the 997c SI Combo and the new 798c SI Combo, is so good that it has won several awards. So, what’s it all about? Using this sonar you will be able to see high definition images beneath the boat viewing up to 480ft of coverage from side to side. Units come complete with GPS and chartplotting capabilities and use high accuracy 50 channel GPS/WAAS receivers. They are also stand-alone units so no towed transducers or additional software are required for side imaging operation. All the units use Navionics charts and include an SD memory card, which can record images for later analysis on a PC.
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PORTABLE PLOTTERS While boats these days are often heavily dependent on electronic navigation systems it’s reassuring to have a backup to the main navigation system. This is where electronics like Geonav Portable Chartplotters can be incredibly useful. With NMEA output they can interface with an operating VHF DSC radio in an emergency or be linked to an autopilot. There are four models: Geonav 4C XS, Geonav 4GIPSY (both offer an NMEA interface), Geonav 3S and Geonav 3. These last two are the lightest handheld chartplotters on the market and are versatile handheld navigation units for use on land and sea. All are fully waterproof to the IPX7 standard and are available with Navionics Platinum or Navionics Gold chart cartridges. Johnson Outdoors UK: 01493-745-192 / www. johnsonoutdoors.co.uk
The user-friendly menu includes a Freeze Frame facility and Mark button to create waypoints back to areas requiring further investigation. The View button allows quick scrolling between screens and navigation charts and side imaging pictures can be viewed at the same time. Units are simple to install with a variety of mounting options. Johnson Outdoors UK: 01493-745-192 / www.johnsonoutdoors.co.uk
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TOP GEAR
BLAST FROM THE FUTURE With our long hot summer the challenge for many boaters is keeping a constant supply of chilled drinks to keep your and your crew refreshed. One solution to this problem comes from Husky in the form of the Blast, a chiller that not only overcomes the challenge of providing a rapid and nearcontinuous source of chilled drinks, but also has a minimal environmental footprint. This stainless steel frontloading chiller can chill two cases of bottles from room to serving temperature in no time at all, ensuring a happy crew at all times. Handily, it has an LED display that actually shows when the contents is ready to be served. In addition, the Blast has been designed to reduce its environmental impact. For example, it contains the natural refrigerant gas R134a,
TEVA ON DECK Teva have a new range of deck shoes, Long Wharf collection, to keep you looking good and safe on your boat. There are two models for men, the Seasyde (£85) and Pelican (£90). The pictures show you all you need to know, but here are a few extra details about these shoes for you: ■ Full-grain, waterproof leather upper ■ Moulded PU sockliner with drainage ports ■ Moulded PU midsole with forefoot and heel mono-mesh windows for side drainage
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LATEST NEWS
minimising any impact on the ozone layer and global warming. Also, Husky packaging is now recycled cardboard and all unnecessary plastics have been taken out of shelving and boxes. Husky: www.husky-group.com
■ Spider Rubber - a non-marking rubber that performs well on wet and dry terrain ■ All-Weather Leather - easy to care for and stain resistant while protecting the look and feel of the leather. Teva: www.teva.com
RAYMARINE STRUGGLE Raymarine, a leading supplier of electronics to the marine market, has stated it is close to its bank operating limits and is seeking an equity fundraising or a sale of the business. The company has seen its shares plummet by as much as 25%. Speculation is rife that Norwegian company Navico or Garmin could be possible buyers, but both are also currently suffering from a severe downturn in the recreational marine industry. Raymarine who, at the time of writing, stated that they are still trading reported May sales met their global expectations, although sales were weak and retailers continued to de-stock. Raymarine: www.raymarine.co.uk GARMIN RECALL Garmin has recalled the 2009 version of Blue Chart g2 and g2 Vision digital charts. Described as a ‘voluntary recall’ the products affected have been sold since the beginning of April this year. The data cards have been found to give inaccurate information regarding water depths, which could result in craft going aground. Although the errors refer only to the waters off Sweden and Denmark, Garmin has decided to institute a global product recall in the interests of safety, although no incidents of accidents to craft have so far being reported. Garmin stress that no other products are affected and the company is working closely with relevant authorities. All customers will be provided with updated cards when the errors have been corrected. Anyone concerned that their Garmin equipment may be affected should go to www.garmin. com/bluechartrecall.
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Boat Mart I August 2009 I 63
EQUIPMENT
BOAT MART
Q&A
GOING GREEN
As we understand more about what we should and shouldn’t do to preserve our own waterways, coastline and wildlife, boating is becoming greener. It’s good to know that each one of us can make a contribution towards a cleaner, safer world. Here Angela Clay answers many of your common green boating questions.
I am appalled at the amount of rubbish I come across on our beaches or floating in coastal and inland waters, what is being done about it? John, Conwy
Q
The Royal Yachting Association (RYA) and the British Marine Federation (BMF) have joined forces to create The Green Blue, an environmental programme that aims to raise awareness of threats to the marine environment and to advise recreational boaters on best practice. Only 1 - 2% of the rubbish you mention is caused by marine activity, the
A
rest is blown onto beach or water from the land, so with more care and attention most littering should be preventable. Last year’s Marine Conservation Society Beachwatch survey reported that the amount of rubbish left on our beaches had increased by 110% since their records began in 1994. Not only is it unsightly and very costly to clear up, but it has been shown to be responsible for poisoning or injuring over 170 species of marine wildlife, including seabirds and whales. The MCS Beachwatch litter survey and clean-up is a national event that takes place each year on the third weekend of September; why not volunteer to help?
It looks idyllic, but up close how much rubbish is there?
Marina recycling is becoming more common
Most local councils are providing recycling collections alongside the household rubbish, but would it be possible to offer the service at our marinas, particular during the main season? Adrian, Skipsea
Q
The Green Blue has recently instigated such a project and in less than a year over six million litres of waste from almost 20 marinas and clubs have been recycled and diverted from landfill sites. The marinas are saving on their rubbish disposal costs and making a positive contribution to a cleaner environment.
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1. Buoyancy aids - make sure the youngsters are properly kitted out 2. The Gill inshore sport vest in charcoal 3. Gill’s technical sailing sun hat - great for land and sea
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GOING GREEN Q&A In the event of an oil spill, what is the safest way to deal with it? Clive, Cornwall
Q
Just one litre of fuel can contaminate over a million litres of water, which is why it is so important to reduce the risks of even the smallest leak or spillage of oil, fuel or chemicals. Never use detergents to disperse oil and fuel spills as these break down the oil into smaller particles making it harder to collect and clean up and you could be found legally and financially responsible for the damage. Play safe and carry a spill kit that can absorb oil, fuel or chemical spills. There are kits to cope with spillages from 3ltr upwards and prices start at around £10. Get a bilge sock to soak up any oil and fuel in the bilges before it gets pumped out over the side.
A
I know that antifouling isn’t great for the environment, but how can I help reduce its impact? Phil, Sussex
Q
If antifouling is carried out responsibly, damage to the environment can be avoided or at least limited. Properly applied antifouling can prevent the build-up of growth on your hull, which unchecked could lead to drag and the need for more fuel. The most effective coatings do contain copper but virtually all manufacturers comply with current guidance on safe levels. In fact, most of the pollution from antifoul is caused during annual
A
Q
We are planning to take a late summer holiday and because of our carbon footprint and also the poor exchange rate in Europe we are thinking about a boating holiday in this country. Any ideas? Ben, Chester For the greenest of boating holidays, take an electric narrowboat on the Monmouthshire and Brecon canal, which covers 33 navigable miles from Brecon to Pontypool. These electric narrowboats are
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The way forward in clearing oil spills and floating debris on the water has to be Ecoceane pollution control boats. These aluminium catamarans have been nicknamed ‘vacuum cleaners of the sea’ because without using chemicals, they can collect floating debris at the same time as using their oil separation system to deal with spills, even from inaccessible areas in marinas. The rubbish is collected in a storage container on deck and the cleaned water is discharged at the stern. These boats are already cleaning up waters across France and French speaking Africa, and in April this year the Irish Coastguard and Shannon Estuary Antipollution team (SEA-PT) celebrated the inauguration of their joint owned Ecoceane Oil Spill and Recovery vessel they have named Oscar.
maintenance when water and scrapings from pressure washing find their way back into the water, leading to concentrated levels of toxins building up in sediment. It is crucial to keep any paint, varnish, paint chippings and all the detritus you remove, out of the water. Use at least a tarpaulin to collect the drips and bits and ideally go to a designated scrub off facility at your club or marina so that all the rubbish, including brushes, rollers and paint trays, is contained and can be disposed off as hazardous waste. If possible choose a facility with a closed loop wash down system where the run off is properly filtered before re-entering the water
clean, quiet and very comfortable with hot showers, colour television and CD player. Keeping going is easy because the battery will take you about eighteen miles before it needs an overnight recharge from one of six charging points on this stretch of the canal. Castle Narrowboats’ prices start at £640 for a week’s holiday for four. With an average cruising speed of only 2 - 3 miles per hour you can only relax, unwind and enjoy the beautiful scenery along the way, knowing that you are helping to keep it that way.
When it comes to cleaning, antifouling or fuelling our motor cruiser, how do I know which products are environmentally friendly and which to avoid? Spencer, Trowbridge
Q
Practical help is at hand from The Green Directory, which is managed by Sailing Networks for boating consumers. The Directory lists products that you can use safely to clean, maintain or protect your boat and tells you what they contain. In addition The Green Directory provides information on fuels, safe to use containers, boatbuilding and much more.
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FURTHER INFORMATION � Beachwatch 2009 Tel: 01989-566-017 Web: www.adoptabeach.org.uk � BMF Tel: 01784-473-377 Web: www.britishmarine.co.uk � Castle Narrowboats Tel: 01873-830-001 Web: www.castlenarrowboats.co.uk � The Green Blue: Web: www.thegreenblue.org.uk � Green Directory Web: www.sailingnetworks.com/green
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LETTERS
ON COURSE FOR SUCCESS The RYA (Royal Yachting Association) will provide details of all the basic seamanship courses run throughout the UK. Here we have put together a selection of available courses.
■ RYA Basic Navigation and Safety Course: A two-day course to give students an awareness and knowledge of basic navigation techniques including charts and publications, safety, engine checks, buoyage, tidal awareness, visual and electronic navigation, pilotage, rules of the road, anchoring, weather forecasts and passage planning and safety in just 16 hours. This course is the perfect stepping stone to the more in-depth Day Skipper shorebased course, or to courses on the water. ■ RYA Inland Waterways Helmsman’s Course: A one-day course designed for those wanting to cruise the UK’s and Europe’s network of canals and rivers for both narrowboat and cruiser owners. ■ RYA Helmsman’s Course: A two-day introduction course ideal for new boat owners covering boat handling, helmsmanship, basic engine maintenance and safety. ■ RYA Start Yachting: A two day introduction course to sail cruising for beginners covering steering, sail handling, ropework and safety. ■ RYA Day Skipper Practical Course: This four-day course (tidal or non-tidal) gives you the chance to take charge on short passages under instruction. You’ll concentrate on pilotage, boat handling, seamanship and navigation giving you the ability to skipper in familiar waters by day. ■ RYA Skipper Practical Course: A five-day course for motor cruiser skippers looking to take day and night coastal passages. You will skipper a passage in a variety of situations and learn more about safety, passage planning, pilotage by day and night, boat handling and emergency situations. ■ The Diesel Engine Course: This one-day course provides an awareness of the main systems of a marine diesel engine. It gives you the ability to take simple measures to prevent mechanical breakdown at sea and rectify defects which do not require workshop support. 126 I August 2009 I Boat Mart
■ RYA Day Skipper Shorebased Course: A comprehensive introduction to chartwork, navigation, meteorology and the basics of seamanship. You will find this course invaluable if you want to learn how to start making decisions on board, and if you are considering taking the Day Skipper practical course. A minimum of 40 hours and two assessment papers. ■ RYA Competent Crew Course: This five-day course is for beginners and those who would like to become active crew members and will teach you how to steer, handle sails, keep a look-out, row a dinghy and more. ■ RYA Level 1 Powerboat Course: This one-day course covers basic boat handling, safety and theory including launching and recovering a boat from a road trailer, everyday boat handling and the use of safety equipment. ■ RYA Level 2 Powerboat Course: This two-day course (inland or coastal) provides the skills and background knowledge needed to drive a powerboat and is the basis of the International Certificate of Competence. It includes close quarters handling, high speed manoeuvres, manoverboard recovery and collision regulations. ■ RYA Intermediate Powerboat Course: This two-day course covers practical use of navigation and passage planning by day on coastal waters, using both traditional and electronic navigational techniques.
■ RYA Advanced Powerboat Course: This two-day course provides the skills and background knowledge needed to drive a powerboat by day or night in known or unfamiliar waters, the skipper’s role and boat handling in more demanding conditions. ■ RYA Yachtmaster: The ultimate aim of many skippers, provided that you have sufficient experience and seatime, ■ Coastal Skipper/ Yachtmaster Offshore Shorebased Course: This is ideal for candidates for the Coastal Skipper practical course and Yachtmaster Offshore exam. Some revision of the Day Skipper shorebased course is included, plus more advanced skills in offshore and coastal navigation by day and night, pilotage and meteorology. 40 hours plus three assessment papers. ■ The Basic Sea Survival Course: Yachting is one of the safest leisure sporting activities and 99.9% of yachtsmen will never use their liferaft. However, it is a well proven fact that in the event of an emergency at sea, people who have received training are more likely to survive. This one-day course covers preparation for survival, lifejackets, medical issues and search and rescue techniques. This course is a must for anyone going to sea. ■ RYA First Aid Course: A oneday course designed to provide a working knowledge of first aid for people using small craft and to support skippers.
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■ RYA Coastal Skipper Practical Sailing Course: A five-day advanced skippering course that expects you to have at least fifteen days sail cruising experience, with two days as a skipper, 300 miles under your belt and eight night hours. At the end of the training you could expect to skipper a yacht on coastal passages in daylight and at night. ■ *Marine Radio Short Range Certificate: The Short Range Certificate (SRC) is the radio operator qualification which authorises the holder to operate a VHF Radiotelephone fitted with Digital Selective Calling (DSC) on board any British vessel which is voluntarily fitted with radio equipment. If you own a marine radio handheld or fixed set, you are required by law to hold an operator’s licence. Learn the procedures for operation and gain the qualification on this one-day examined course. ■ The Radar Course: The International Regulations for the Prevention of Collisions at Sea state that if you have a radar on board, you must know how to use it. The aim of this one-day course is to teach students of both sail and motor boats to use small boat radar to assist decision-making in navigation, pilotage and collision avoidance. In addition, there are courses for dinghies, multihulls, small keelboats and windsurfing. For more information and where you can take a course near you visit www.rya.org.uk.
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