Education

New Zealand Date/Time:
Sat, May 25, 2013, 3:20:33 AM

Education

Coastguard Northern Region Maritime School

Coastguard Recreational Boating Courses

DAY SKIPPER

An introductory course for all members of the family or crew, including those new to boating. Applies to a range of vessels including yachts, launches, powerboats, jet skis, sea kayaks and waka.

BOATMASTER

A comprehensive course for boaties with some existing knowledge and experience. Applies to a wide range of vessels including yachts, launches and powerboats. It is recommended people gain a little boating experience or attend Day Skipper before attempting this course.

COASTAL SKIPPER

An advanced course covering coastal navigation, weather, passage planning, and seamanship relevant to those wishing to undertake coastal voyages. Candidates need Boatmaster qualification 200 hours proven sea time and the Marine VHF qualification before Coastal Skipper Certificate can be issued.

OCEAN YACHTMASTER

An advanced course covering ocean navigation and passage making, for skippers and crew intending to race offshore or cruise to overseas destinations. Candidates must hold a NZ Coastal Skipper Certificate, 400 hours proven sea time, with 50 hours beyond harbour limits and minimum 72 hours continuous time at least 30 miles offshore, as well as hold a current First Aid Certificate and have a Maritime Restricted Operator Certificate.

MARINE VHF RADIO OPERATORS QUALIFICATION

A legal requirement for all users of Marine VHF Radio.

OUTBOARD ENGINE MAINTENANCE

An essential course covering outbound care and trouble-shooting.

INBOARD ENGINE MAINTENANCE

A comprehensive course covering diesel inboard care, maintenance and fault finding.

ADVANCED SEA SURVIVAL

A comprehensive theoretical and practical course required by crew competing in offshore races.

GPS/RADAR

Specialist courses at introductory user level.

For more information including course content, pre-requisites, venues or dates,
visit the website or contact the Coastguard Northern Regional Maritime School:
Phone: (09) 303 9364 or 0508 RESCUE (737283)
Fax: (09) 303 9350
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Web: www.coastguard.org.nz or www.cbes.org.nz

RYA Practical Courses

POWERBOAT TRAINING – FOR RUN-ABOUTS, RIBS AND OTHER OUTBOARD CRAFT

Powerboat training can be conducted on either one of our dedicated training vessels or on your own boat. Whether you’re just starting out, have a family member you just can’t teach, or have quite a lot of experience and want to take the next step…we have the course for you!

POWERBOAT LEVEL ONE

With a minimum age requirement of 8 years old this one day course is ideal for people completely new to boating as a general introduction to safe boat handling.

POWERBOAT LEVEL TWO

A fully comprehensive two day course covering all practical skills and background knowledge to be a competent powerboat driver which can be attended by complete beginners wanting to take the step to becoming responsible powerboat drivers, or by those who have some powerboat driving and on-water experience under their belt who wish to fine tune their skills.

INTERMEDIATE POWERBOAT DAY CRUISING

This 2 day course is aimed at those with developing powerboat driving skills who would like to start exploring more of their local area and completing longer trips by day. Students should have a knowledge of navigation to CBES Dayskipper level and a valid First Aid qualification and VHF certificate are strongly recommended, along with driving skills to Level 2 standard.

ADVANCED POWERBOAT DAY AND NIGHT

Development and fine tuning of coastal navigation and pilotage skills for planing vessels during day and night passages in familiar or unknown waters. This course runs over a weekend and consists of 2 days and 1 night of training and is aimed at experienced powerboat drivers wishing to fine tune their higher level skills. Students should have a knowledge of navigation to CBES Boatmaster level and must hold a valid First Aid qualification and a VHF certificate.

CLUB SAFETY BOAT OPERATORS COURSE

An 8 hour practical on water training course developed specifically for operators of yacht club safety boats and the like.
The RYA Practical Courses on offer perfectly compliment the wide range of CBES theory courses, giving you the perfect opportunity to learn by doing, and have a great time doing it!

For more information on these courses, including upcoming dates and pricing, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call Mike on 09 303 9345 or visit our website www.coastguard.org.nz

What types of boats are best to learn to sail on?

Younger people from 10 to 14 years wanting to learn to sail, are usually taught in an Optimist sailing dinghy.

If you are planning to sail a keelboat you should learn to sail on a keelboat and you’ll learn so much more than just the basic sailing skills. You learn how to take the yacht out of the marina and manoeuvre it on the engine. You also learn how to anchor the yacht safely and reef the sails when the wind increases.

Yachting NZ and Royal Yachting Association (RYA) sail cruising courses are recommended, as they are run by highly qualified instructors, on easy to handle keelboats, usually no bigger than 37 foot. They teach small classes, a maximum of 4 people, which ensures you receive individualised tuition.

What qualifications do I need to charter a yacht?

In the last few years charter companies have become more concerned about what qualifications you have. Some insurance companies won’t insure the boats unless you hold internationally recognised qualifications.

RYA courses are recognised world wide and particularly in the Mediterranean, where one person on board must hold an RYA Day Skipper Practical Certificate and one person a Competent Crew Certificate. The Day Skipper Practical Certificate is achieved by completing a Coastguard Boatmaster theory course, followed by a 5 day, 4 night Practical Day Skipper course, at a RYA registered sailing school.

How much does it cost to learn to sail?

Prices for a child to learn to sail in an Optimist sailing dinghy at a local yacht club, range from $300 to $400 depending on the length of the course and yacht hire charges. To learn to sail a keelboat, the Start Yachting beginners course is 10 hours over 2 days and costs about $600. Prices for the 5 day, 4 night courses are $2,000 which includes all meals and materials used.

What is the best sailing qualification internationally?

Each country recognises their own yachting association certification. But for guaranteed internationally recognized qualifications, you need Royal Yachting Association qualifications, taught at over 2,200 schools worldwide, including NZ.

Suzanne Bourke; Sailing Instructor, Sailing Away School of Sailing, Auckland.

Other Recommended Marine Education Providers:

New Zealand's Boating Website

Core Courses:

Specialty Courses:

RYA Practical Courses: