The Inland Waterways Motorboats Skipper’s Certificate

Aim:

To develop those fundamental skills and knowledge necessary to safely, and effectively, skipper motor cruisers on Irelands inland waterways.

Previous experience / knowledge required

No previous knowledge of motorboating is required or assumed. However participants should be aware that where they have no previous boating experience they may require additional time over and above the ISA’s prescribed minimum of 2 days (16 hours) in order to complete all aspects of this course.

All elements within the syllabus for The Inland Waterways Motorboat Crews Certificate are included again in this syllabus. Where the participant has successfully completed the introductory course, those elements that are repeated, may be omitted.

Duration:

This course should ordinarily consist of a minimum of 2 full days (16 hours) contact time. However the length of the course may be extended where it suits participants to take a more relaxed approach to the programme, or where participants have no previous boating experience. Where the participant already holds The Inland Waterways Motorboat Crews Certificate the duration of the course may be reduced to 1 day (8 hours).

Types of Boats

The course is usually conducted in one of the single engine, displacement motor cruisers typically found on Ireland’s inland waterways. However there are a number of additional modules that allow participants to tailor the course to ensure it prepares them to skipper other boat types. These include high-speed planing or semi displacement boats, those with twin engines and heavy displacement boats. The certificate issued will be endorsed to show the type(s) of boat in which the training took place.

Assessment

Assessment is continuous throughout the course, however instructors may at their discretion require the use of a formal practical assessment of boat handling skills and / or a short written paper or oral interview in assessing your level of background knowledge.

Experienced skippers may achieve certification through direct assessment of the skills and knowledge set out in this syllabus. Details of the “Direct Assessment” are include on page 12.

Holders of this certificate who wish to skipper pleasure craft outside Ireland may apply to the Irish Sailing Association for an International Certificate for Operators of Pleasure Craft.

Holders of the certificate are entitled to use the Inland Waterways Skippers Pennant