PB Level 2 and ICC

[rwoofer]

I'm a raggie of 30 years having sailed/owned everything from small racing dinghies to 45 foot cruising yachts.

With all the bad weather for the last 2 years we've been doing land based holidays in the Med. I would love to be able hire small dayboats such as a Cap Camarat 625, but an ICC seems to be a pre-requisite. With this in mind, SWMBO has bought me a PB level 2 course for my birthday, in order to get an ICC.

I'm now starting to wonder how useful the PB level 2 will be. I've driven the odd single engined rib and given my experience on the water know all the seamanship, nav stuff. I would readily admit that I don't know how to get the best out of a mobo in rough weather or how to handle twin engined stuff. Would there be a course that would better suit someone crossing over that would entitle me to an ICC?

I would rather do a course that I would learn from, than simply get a bit of paper to satisfy authorities etc.

What does the panel think?

 

[Whitelighter]

If its small CapCamarat type boats you want to rent then the PBL2 is about right. They wont be twin engines anyway (up to about 30ft they will remain single) and you wont want to be going out in anything too rough.

If you want to know a bit more about rough weather stuff, ask your instructor and they will go through it. Its a good course to do for what you want to acheive.

 

[Kawasaki]

If SWMBO has bought the PB2 course well do it anyway.
That's the 10m powerboat ICC sorted.
Plus that's the bit of Paper to satisfy the Authourities.
They Do ask now, in My experience, ref hiring summat.
I was asked recently to show aTicket.

Tiss a good fun 2 days anyway.
Although you obviously have experience above and beyond.
The Instructor will be able to give His experience too.

Next level ref the RYA scheme is Advanced Power Boat.
As an experienced Yacht person , that is not for You unless You want to go there.
The RYA powerboat Scheme is different to the 'Cruiser' stuff.
Anyway, no Expert on the RYA etc.
Do the PB2 though.
It will help raf Parking a Mobo etc! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[coastwise]

There are 2 levels of ICC -
- up to 10m which is covered by the RYA Powerboat Scheme, either by completing a Level 2 or by direct examination.
- up to 24m which is covered by the RYA Motor Cruising Scheme, either by Day Skipper practical course or direct examination.

The former will give you what you want you wanted with a small power boat and the latter for anything more challenging. It depends if you want your chalenge to be with the Advanced Powerboat with small fast craft or the Motor Cruising where your experience with the 45ft cruising yacht would be more relevant.
Paul

 

[theforeman]

if you have a sail day skipper practical ( or indeed a coastal )that would entitle you to an icc valid for power up to 10 metres and sail up to 24 metres.

 

[l'escargot]

I was in a similar situation to you. I paid extra for one to one with a good local instructor who I knew and he tailored the course to me whilst still covering the PB2 syllabus. Also did it in the winter so the conditions were more "challenging" (F6/7 /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif)

Went back and did the intermediate the following year and intend doing the advanced as well. I also found that it improved my handling of my yacht under power, didn't imagine that techniques used maneuvring an outboard RIB could translate to an inboard long keeler but it certainly made me think more about why I did the things that I did.

 

[rwoofer]

No sailing quals (well YM Theory 20 years ago if you call that a qual). Fortunately to charter sailing boats, my experience has been enough (I wonder for how long though).

I also have this irrational aversion to taking a sailing course to teach me something I've been doing for 30 years just so that some jobsworth can now believe that I'm skilled. This is why I thought a PB course is more worthwhile and likely to teach me things I don't know (and can be done in a weekend).

From the feedback so far, it sounds like PBL2 is the right one. Thanks for the views from everyone - quite looking forward to a bit of a blast.

 

[l'escargot]

[ QUOTE ]
No sailing quals...I also have this irrational aversion to taking a sailing course to teach me something I've been doing for 30 years just so that some jobsworth can now believe that I'm skilled. This is why I thought a PB course is more worthwhile and likely to teach me things I don't know...

[/ QUOTE ]
My thoughts exactly.

 

[rwoofer]

I was half thinking that I might get toasted for that remark /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Solitaire]

[ QUOTE ]


Next level ref the RYA scheme is Advanced Power Boat.


[/ QUOTE ]

No actually true. There is the Intermediate course between PB2 and Advanced. It was introduced a few years ago as the gap between PB2 and Advanced was too great for most. There is a qualification time for the advanced course similar to that of Coastal Skipper in the motor cruising scheme.

 

[Solitaire]

[ QUOTE ]


I'm now starting to wonder how useful the PB level 2 will be. I've driven the odd single engined rib and given my experience on the water know all the seamanship, nav stuff. I would readily admit that I don't know how to get the best out of a mobo in rough weather or how to handle twin engined stuff. Would there be a course that would better suit someone crossing over that would entitle me to an ICC?

I would rather do a course that I would learn from, than simply get a bit of paper to satisfy authorities etc.

What does the panel think?

[/ QUOTE ]

The PB 2 course is about learning the techniques of slow boat handling and will cover some basic chart work, buoyage and "rules of the road". It will follow a set sylybus and depending who else is on the boat must be a set level for the lowest common denominator - the new boater.

It is possible to undertake a Level 2 assesment and then have something tailored for you directly based on your own experience. This does however, tend to be on a 1:1 basis. A lot depends on how much you think you will be driving small single engine powerboats.

In such cases as yours I tend to want to speak directly with the potential client and discuss the options. If you would like to chat through the issues feel free to contact me. Irrespective of where you are booked in to do your course!

 

[thefatlady]

[ QUOTE ]
I also have this irrational aversion to taking a sailing course to teach me something I've been doing for 30 years just so that some jobsworth can now believe that I'm skilled.

[/ QUOTE ] You don't have to. If you think you are good enough, just go straight for the exam.

I did the theory in evenings and a short brush-up with an instructor and went straight to YM Offshore.

 

[Kawasaki]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]


Next level ref the RYA scheme is Advanced Power Boat.


[/ QUOTE ]

No actually true.

[/ QUOTE ]

Correct of course Solitaire.

What I meant or should have said was the Advanced course would be the next step in this case ref rb_stretcht's previous experience maybe.

That's if rb thinks He might like to stretch His skills a little further /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Good spot Soli!

 

[nonitoo]

Didn't know that you could go straight to the exam, I'm in the 'same boat' in that I have been sailing since 1955 but have no sailing certification.

Might have a go at that this winter, just for the fun of it.

Slightly different as regards MoBo'ing (ICC for 24 metres issued on the back of my Masters FG cert.+ the CEVNI addition).

Tom