Boat handling and training courses

Training courses which develop boat handling or maintenance skills are increasingly popular amongst both novice and experienced boaters.
Even though you can cruise a your own boat or a hired boat on UK canals without any training or qualification many people prefer to get some practice and confidence first. And even experienced boaters can improve their skills and avoid getting stuck in bad habits. Some trainers also run courses for boat owners who want to be able to maintain their boats and engines. Some offer commercially focussed skipper and water safety courses.
The RYA Inland Waterways Helmsman Certificate is for those wanting to improve their inland waterways boating skills. Boat handling skills and confidence building are at the heart of the practical training, courses usually last for about 2 days. MCA Boatmaster courses are for skippering a passenger boat carrying more than 12 passengers.
For continental boating you might need the International Certificate of Competence/CEVNI course.

bearBOAT Training on the Leeds Liverpool Canal.
An RYA approved Training Centre at Apperley Bridge near Leeds offering a selection of courses for all users of the inland waterways.

Birmingham & Midland Predominantly commercial skipper and water safety trainers; MCA, RYA, IWA & RLSS National Water Safety Management Programme courses. Leisure breaks on holiday hire boats with RYA IWHC training.

The Pirate Castle on the Regent’s Canal in London has been training people to enjoy themselves safely on the water for 40 years. Qualifications from British Canoe Union, RYA & National Community Boats Association.

Wildcat Enterprises
- 1 or 2 day training courses for the RYA Inland Waters Helmsman Certificate, ICC/CEVNI, plus Boat Engine and Maintenance Course.
On Oxford Canal or your boat anywhere.
Boat Handling and Training Courses | ||||
A&G Passenger Boats Ltd, | RYA Inland Helmsmans course, Passenger boat operations | Sheffield, Yorkshire | 0114 2786314 | info@sheffieldboats.co.uk |
Alvechurch Boat Centres | Various Locations | 0121 445 2909 | Enquiries@Alvechurch.com | |
bearBOAT Training - SEE TOP | Apperley Bridge, Leeds & Liverpool Canal | 07969 901383 |
admin@bearboating.co.uk
www.bearboating.co.uk |
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Birmingham & Midland Marine Services - SEE TOP | Midlands | 07527 727169 |
midsmarine@gmail.com www.midlandmarine.co.uk |
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Canal Boat Escapes, | RYA Training Centre | Barnoldswick, Leeds & Liverpool Canal | 0800 321 3541 | info@canalboatescapes.co.uk |
Canal Experience | Hunton Bridge | 01923270100 | PhilBassett@gmail.com | |
Central Midlands Training Services | Nottinghamshire | 07745 890842 | david.jackson.cta@googlemail.com | |
Chas Newens Marine Co Ltd | London | 0208 788 4587 | hire@chastheboat.co.uk | |
CanalSkills | Helmsman and Cevni courses | Lowland canals, Scotland | 07792 159701 | info@canalskills.com |
Cheshire Cat Training | RYA Inland Waterways Helmsman and Crew courses, novice boat handling days | Overwater Marina, Nantwich | 07867 790195 | info@cheshirecattraining.co.uk |
Dragonfly Narrowboat Training | RYA helmsman certificate | Nantwich | 01270 524340 | info@dragonflynarrowboathire.co.uk |
Narrowboat Skills Centre Ltd. | RYA Training Centre, Helmsman’s, diesel engine & maintenance courses | Market Harborough | 0116 4422326 |
info@nbsc.org.uk www.nbsc.org.uk |
National Community Boats Association | National | 02476397400 |
staff@national-cba.co.uk
www.national-cba.co.uk/whyjoin/training.asp |
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Nene Valley Boat Training, RYA Training Centre | River Nene (Eastern England) | 01832 272585 |
nenevalley.boats@virgin.net www.nenevalleyboattraining.co.uk |
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Norfolk Powerboating, RYA Inland Training Centre | Norfolk Broads | 01263 576768 | on967@aol.com | |
Inland Waterways Cruising School | Stourport | 01562 777685 | training@cruisingschool.co.uk | |
Inland Waterways Rescue /Training | Inland waterways helmsman course/ one 2 one diesel engine service course | Grand Union south east | 07956 333892 | ralphjkitts@googlemail.com |
Islington Boat Club | RYA Narrowboat Courses | Islington, London | 02072 530778 | bookings@islingtonboatclub.com |
Life-on-the-Cut | Narrowboat Training | West Yorkshire | 07518 745734 | lifeonthecut@hotmail.co.uk |
T & D. Murrell's Boating for Enthusiasts | Barge Handling instruction for ICC licence | N. France | 0207 681 3966 | tamanddi@bargehandling.com |
NavSail | First Aid Training for Leisure Boating | Reading, Berks | 0118 9661557 | chrisecorr@rya-online.net |
Planet Narrowboats | Helmsman Training | Shardlow | 07970 103217 | mgavigan@tiscali.co.uk |
The Pirate Castle - SEE TOP | London |
0207 2676605 07831 209709 |
info@thepiratecastle.org | |
Seasecretary | Boatmasters training | Chester & Rollesby | 07977 931908 | dave.evans@seasecretary.co.uk |
Soar Valley Helmsman Training Centre | RYA Boat Handling Courses | East Midlands region, River Soar | 07474 777856 | soarvalleyhtc@gmail.com |
Stratford Upon Avon Narrowboat Trust | RYA helmsman courses | Streethay, Lichfield | 017894 88568 | centenary.boat@btinternet.com |
Surrey Care Trust Community Boat Programme | National Community Boat Accredited Training Centre | Guildford, River Wey | 07976 282239 |
cj.padmore@surreycaretrust.org www.surreycaretrust.co.uk/our-programmes-home/community-boats/ |
Teams and Themes | First Aid, Manual Handling, Fire Safety courses | Prestatyn North Wales | 01745 855794 | fdrake@mac.com |
Trent Boat Handling | East Midlands Rivers and Canals | 07940 920211 | ray@trentboathandling.co.uk | |
Youthful Ventura | Birmingham | 0796 057 6946 | dillon233@hotmail.com | |
Trines Ward, Boatmaster | Informal training on your own narrowboat. | Midlands & N. Home Counties |
01788 899105 07969 168612 |
trines.ward@braunston.net |
Watercraft | Inland Waters Helm, VHF, First Aid, Diesel Maintenance, ICC & CEVNI | Midlands and Thames | 01844 238041 | watercraft@rya-online.net |
Willow Wren Training | Rugby Warwickshire | 07970 770565 | wwt@willowwrentraining.co.uk | |
Wildcat Enterprises - SEE TOP | South & Midlands | 01235 764172 |
training.wildcat@gmail.com
www.wildcatenterprises.co.uk |