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SSSC Safety Boat - Lesson Plan

Aim of course:

The aim of Safety Boat Course is to equip trained powerboat users with the specific knowledge, skills and techniques required to perform the activities likely to be encountered whilst providing safety cover for sailing and other water activities and supporting the OOD during race days at SSSC. It is a 2 day SSSC course and builds upon the skills and knowledge gained at RYA PB Level 2.

Instructor ratios:

The course will operate on an Instructor:Student ratio of 1:3 with a maximum of 6 students.

Course delivery:

Delivery of Classroom, Onshore and On Water sessions will be by SSSC Powerboat Instructors in accordance with the relevant RYA method.

Course Content:

Safety equipment and considerations

Boat handling refresher

Race management duties, incident hot spots, response times

VHF Radio basics

Boat handling at speed, boat trim and ventilation

Water craft recovery

Man Overboard, entrapments, lifting

Towing

Detailed lesson plan

Equipment:

Boats: Highfield RIB, 18' Plymouth Pilot

Classroom: Clubroom / Training Loft

Training area:

The course will operate in the area in front of the clubhouse boathouse, left hand slipway (looking out onto the lake from the clubhouse), both jetties, both boathouses (clubhouse and lake) and all areas of the lake.

DETAILED LESSON PLAN

Day 1:

9:30 - 10:45	LAUNCHING AND INTRODUCTION TO POWERBOATING Check boat, equipment & personal comfort. Safety Equipment: Use & positioning of Kill Cord. Sharp knife & first aid kit. Water flow on outboard. Crew & loading. Refresher on boat control. - Coming alongside. Holding off buoy.
10:45 - 11:00	Coffee Break
11:00 - 12:30	SKILLS AND TECHNIQUES FOR EFFECTIVE RACE SUPPORT Race management duties. Marking of abandoned boats. Crew communication. Use of VHF. Positioning for potential "hot spots" (gybe mark). Size of sailing area and response times. High speed practise- "S" turns, "U" turns & cavitation. Trim etc. Momentum - Hull shapes & the different effects they have in the water.
12:30 - 13:30	Lunch
13:30 - 15:00	SKILLS AND TECHNIQUES FOR EFFECTIVE RACE SUPPORT CONTINUED Change of boats further practice from sprevious session. Introduction to 3 point turns. Going astern - danger of flooding.Figure of 8. Windage and currents.
15:00 - 15:15	Coffee Break
15:15 - 16:15	RACE SUPPORT AND RESCUE TECHNIQUES Change of boat. Further practice from session 2 & 3. Lay & recover marks. Communication with other craft. Stand off another craft. Boat recovery.
16:15 - 16:30	Debrief / Finish

Day 2:

9:30 - 10:45	MAN OVERBOARD, CASUALTY AND BOAT RECOVERIES Theory about "man overboard" drill. Conducting a search. Using the anchor in the manoeuvre. Using the anchor to give you time & control. "Man overboard" practice. Methods and techniques for lifting heavy casualties. Entrapment. Recovery of sailing dinghies. Theory & practice. Recovery of High performance dinghies. Dealing with both crewed and single handers.
10:45 - 11:00	Coffee Break
11:00 - 12:30	RECOVERY OF OTHER WATER USERS AND EQUIPMENT Theory of recovering windsurfers. Recovery of kayak or canoe. Empty & return crew to boat.
12:30 - 13:30	Lunch
13:30 - 15:00	TOWING Practical towing. Different types of towing. Use of signals & boat control.
15:00 - 15:15	Coffee Break
15:15 - 16:15	END OF DAY PROCEDURES Boat recovery. To include recording of faults & problems.
16:15 - 16:30	COURSE CLOSE Debrief and questions End of course procedures: log books, qualification registration.

Last updated 14:26 on 24 April 2025