Public Training Courses
HOEOCA Training activities are coordinated by
Keith Knight Rear Commodore - Training
who can be contacted on 01564 776409 or
by email Keith Knight
Keith Knight Rear Commodore - Training
who can be contacted on 01564 776409 or
by email Keith Knight
HOEOCA is an RYA registered training centre and, as such, organises a full range of RYA courses for the benefit of members and others, even though we are as far away from the sea as possible!
Day Skipper Shorebased Course
The object of the Day Skipper (Shorebased) Course is to provide sufficient knowledge to plan a short coastal passage with confidence, accuracy, and safety.
Previous experience of yachts or motor cruisers is not essential, although the course is ideal for those holding an RYA Competent Crew Certificate.
The syllabus covers seamanship, tidal calculations (heights and streams), navigation, instruments, chartwork, pilotage, safety, collision regulations, meteorology and electronic navigation aids.
Coursework, most of which is set as homework, is assessed throughout the year. The final assessment is based on preset papers. Access to a pc/laptop is a prerequisite.
An RYA Day Skipper (Shorebased) Certificate is awarded on satisfactory completion of the course.Day Skipper (Shorebased) Courses will be run at two venues:
- Heart of England School (sports & Leisure Centre), Gipsy Lane, Balsall Common where the instructor will be Jim Race. This course will be run on Monday evenings from 1900hrs to 2100hrs starting September.
- Finham Park School, Green Lane, Coventry where the instructor will be Vic Stuthridge. This course will be run on Tuesday evenings from 1900hrs also starting September.
Coastal Skipper / Yachtmaster Offshore Shorebased Course
An advanced course, the object of the Coastal Skipper / Yachtmaster Offshore (Shorebased) Course is to provide sufficient knowledge to plan and execute an extended offshore passage and prepare for the Coastal or Yachtmaster Practical examination.An RYA Day Skipper (Shorebased) Certificate or equivalent is essential. The course is not suitable for beginners.
The syllabus covers advanced navigation, tidal calculations, pilotage, electronic aids and chart plotting, safety and meteorology. Coursework, most of which is set as homework, is assessed throughout the year. The final assessment is based on preset papers. Access to a pc/laptop is a prerequisite. An RYA Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaster (Shorebased) Certificate is awarded on satisfactory completion of the course.
Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaster (Shorebased) Courses will be run at two venues:
- Heart of England School (Sports & Leisure Centre), Gipsy Lane, Balsall Common where the instructor will be Jim Race. This course will be run on Tuesday evenings from 1900hrs to 2100hrs starting September.
- Finham Park School, Green Lane, Coventry where the instructor will be Vic Stuthridge. This course will be run on Monday evenings from 1900hrs also starting September.
Enrolment arrangements are notified in the club newsletter before the start of the courses.
Diesel Engine Course
The purpose of this course is to provide an awareness of the main diesel engine systems along with an ability to take simple measures to avoid mechanical breakdown at sea and rectify defects which do not require workshop support.The syllabus includes principles of the diesel engine, the four stroke cycle, the fuel system, the cooling system, the cooling system, electrics, and servicing and fault finding.
No previous experience is required. The RYA Diesel Engine Certificate is awarded on satisfactory completion of the course.
The course is run a couple of times a year at Heart of England School, Balsall Common over five Tuesday evenings from 1900hrs to 2100hrs at a cost of £75 for HOEOCA members (£80 for non members). E-mail the Rear Commodore Training at the address above to register your interest
Marine Radio Short Range Certificate Course
The Short Range Certificate (SRC) course covers VHF and DSC radio procedures which authorise the holder to operate a VHF Radiotelephone (fixed or transportable) fitted with Digital Selective Calling (DSC).In addition to computer simulations, the course features practical use of VHF radios with built in DSC capability and candidates will be shown how to make routine calls with marinas, ports, HM Coast Guard and other vessels as well as making lifesaving emergency distress calls.
A Short Range Certificate issued by the RYA on behalf of the MCA is awarded on satisfactory completion of the course.
The course is arranged as required several times a year, generally over 8 hours on a Saturday at either the Heart of England School, Balsall Common, or Burton Green Village Hall, Hodgetts Lane, Coventry. Instructors are Jim Race or Vic Stuthridge.
The cost of the course is £65 plus £30 certificate fee per person. Optional RYA handbooks may also be purchased by arrangement. To register your interest, e-mail the Rear Commodore Training at the address above or the instructors at the addresses below.
First Aid Course
This course covers the practical skills required to help deal with a medical emergency at sea, specifically for those taking small craft up to 60 miles from a safe haven. Instruction includes what to do in the event of hypothermia and helicopter recovery and practical sessions include resuscitation, and wound dressing, etc. The course meets the requirements of the RYA Coastal Skipper and Yachtmaster® Offshore certificate examinations.An RYA First Aid certificate is awarded on satisfactory completion of the course, which is valid for a period of three years.
The course is arranged as required, typically a couple of times per year over 8 hours on a Saturday at the Heart of England School, Balsall Common.
A Small Craft First Aid certificate is issued. The cost is £40 per person for HOEOCA members (£45 for non members) plus £12.99 for an optional RYA handbook. To register your interest, e-mail the Rear Commodore Training at the address above.
HOEOCA members enjoy getting to grips with Resusci-Annie on a First Aid course...
Radar Course
This course provides essential skills in understanding the radar screen and interpreting the display for collision avoidance and navigation. Time is provided for practical sessions, using the screen controls, plotting targets and navigational techniques, using the latest RYA approved software simulators.An RYA Radar certificate is awarded on successful completion of the course.
The course is arranged as required, typically 1-2 times per year, over one weekday evening and a Saturday (approximately 10 hours in total) at the Heart of England School, Balsall Common. The instructor is Brian Le Voi.
The cost is £95 per person. To register your interest, e-mail the Rear Commodore Training at the above address or the instructor at the addresses below.
CEVNI Endorsement (for International Certificate of Competence)
This course provides the endorsement required to have inland waterways included in your International Certificate of Competence ICC which is issued by the RYA subject to experience and qualifications.The course is arranged as required typically 1-2 times per year over weekday evenings (approximately 4 hours in total) at a suitable local venue. The instructor is Brian Le Voi.
The cost is £20 per person. To register your interest, e-mail the Rear Commodore Training at the above address or the instructor at the addresses below.
Small Craft Basic Sea Survival Course
The course covers preparation for survival at sea, lifejackets, medical issues and search and rescue techniques. It includes a practical session in a swimming pool with a liferaft so you can experience first hand the problems of entering an inflated liferaft whilst fully kitted out in waterproof clothing and a life jacket. As such a reasonable of fitness is required.An RYA/DOT Small Craft basic Sea Survival Certificate is issued on satisfactory completion of the course.
The course is arranged in conjunction with Shustoke Sailing Club as required, typically 1-2 times per year over a Friday evening at Shustoke, and a Sunday at Acocks Green swimming baths. The instructor is Les Collier.
The cost is normally £110 per person. To register your interest, e-mail the Rear Commodore Training at the above address or les.collier@shustoke.myzen.co.uk
HOEOCA members on a sea survival course discover how difficult it is to get into a liferaft, even in a nice calm warm swimming pool!
Heart of England Offshore Training
Keith Knight: Keith.Knight@HOEOCA.org.ukJames Race: jamesm.race@virgin.net
Vic Stuthridge: vstuthridge@btconnect.com
Brian le Voi: yusheen54@gmail.com