Dragonfly Narrowboat Training
Inland Waterways Helmsman Course
Introduction
We are a small family run company, based on the Llangollen Canal near Hurleston junction, offering individual tuition on canal boat training courses, covering all aspects of narrowboat handling and safety. We take a maximum of three trainees for each RYA Inland Waterways Helmsman Certificate (IWHC) course, enabling our instructor to give individual attention, whilst at the same time the trainees are learning from each other.
The benefits of taking the IWHC course
The IWHC course has been developed jointly by the Royal Yachting Association and British Waterways to provide the practical knowledge and skills required for the safe and proficient navigation of our inland waterways. The course assumes no prior knowledge or experience of boats and so is ideal for the first timer, however the course is also designed to enhance the knowledge of experienced boaters, who will learn tips and tricks of the trade, making their boating safer and more enjoyable. On successful completion of the course we are authorised to award the RYA Inland Waterways Helmsman Certificate. This can then be used to achieve the International Certificate of Competence (ICC), essential if you intend to navigate the inland waterways of Europe.
Who takes the IWHC course?
The course is taken by many different people for many different reasons; whether you are looking to improve your boat handling skills for your own boat, before a canal boating holiday on a hire boat, as a first step to boating on the inland waterways of Europe or as a special activity present, the RYA IWHC course is an enjoyable way to improve your skills, give you confidence and make any holiday on the inland waterways a safer and more enjoyable experience.
Course Details
The one-day intensive course covers the whole syllabus; the duration of the course is from 9.00am to 5.30pm.* The two-day course is more relaxed, allows more time to practice new skills and you can stay on board overnight. All courses include the detailed RYA course handbook, hot and cold drinks throughout the day and light lunch. The two-day courses also include a light DIY breakfast; of course the galley is available if you prefer to cook a more sustantial breakfast for yourself!
The course will always cover all topics in the RYA Inland Waterways Helmsman Certificate syllabus, however we treat all of our clients as individuals and your course will be tailored to your specific needs.
* Times may vary during winter months due to shorter day length.
Syllabus
Deckwork
Common nautical terms.
Handling lines and fenders.
Throwing a coiled rope.
Knots, including boatman’s hitch, bowline and clove hitch.
Securing to bollards, rings, cleats and mooring stakes.
Helmsmanship and Boat Handling
Loading and weight distribution.
Steering in a canal or river and control of speed.
Interaction, canal effect, bank effect.
Turning (winding) and reversing.
Berthing and unberthing alongside.
Recovery of man overboard.
Anchoring.
Personal Safety
Identification of risks-including Cold Shock.
Use of life jackets and buoyancy aids.
Avoidance of personal injury, including crushing of limbs when fending off.
Special risks to children.
Boat Safety
Fire hazards, particularly gas and petrol.
Use of fire extinguishers.
Watertight integrity.
Refloating after grounding.
Engine
Engine care. Checks to be carried out before starting and while running.
Routine periodic checks.
Locks
General understanding.
Operation of locks.
Tending lines in locks.
Safety in locks.
Bridges and Tunnels
Safety.
General understanding of operation of bridges and use of tunnels.
Collision Avoidance
Defensive boating techniques.
Steering and sailing rules of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea.
Bye-laws and local regulations, including traffic signals, signs and priorities.
Awareness of other national and local regulations.
Care of the Environment
Consideration for other waterway users.
Pollution avoidance.
Avoiding damage to other boats, banks, flora and forna.
Prices
All courses include the detailed RYA course handbook, hot and cold drinks throughout the day, light lunch and VAT.
Two day IWHC course..................£220.00 per person
Own boat tuition for the IWHC course.................£POA
Please telephone or Email to check availability before booking.
