powerboat course portishead

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• RYA Powerboat Level 1

Certificate validity: Although this qualification holds no expiry date it is recommended that if you have gone through a prolonged period without driving a boat you attend a skills refresher for both your safety and peace of mind.

Certification: RYA Powerboat Level 1 Certificate

Prerequisites: A minimum age of 8. Candidates under the age of 16 will be issued with an endorsed certificate stating that they must be accompanied by an adult.

Duration: 1 day

Cost: £130 per person. This includes all manuals and certification.

Location: 0900 meeting at Portishead Marina (Newfoundland Way, Portishead, Bristol, BS20 7DF)

What is the RYA Powerboat Level 1 course?

The RYA Powerboat Level 1 course is an introduction to boating techniques for launching and recovering a boat from a road trailer, everyday boat handling and the use of safety equipment.

This is a great introduction to power boating which emphasizes safety aspects in particular launching, which are sometimes missed out on courses where the powerboats are already in the water.

People that have booked on to this course have also booked:

RYA Powerboat Level 2 RYA VHF Radio course

Course Content

• Launch and recovery (8-11 year old’s observe) Preparation of boat and crew Boat handling Picking up and securing to a mooring buoy Leaving and coming alongside Being towed

Please contact us if you require any further information about this course or wish to book on behalf of a company:

Telephone: 01454 260130 Email: [email protected]

Normal office hours are (UK time): Monday  – Friday: 08.30 – 17.00

Please be aware that online bookings will be confirmed with course joining information within one working day of the booking being made. Confirmation of payment will be received by email.

There is a wide range of local accommodation, some of which are within walking distance of the training centre to suit everyone’s budget. For a list of local accommodation please click here.

NEED HELP Deciding a course?

The Bristol Maritime Academy

5.0 Average rating: Read reviews

The Bristol Maritime Academy is a Royal Yachting Association (RYA) Recognised Training Centre operated by a highly experienced and dedicated team. We work closely with all of our clients and assist them in becoming well-trained and skilled operators, be they marine professionals or leisure enthusiasts.

The Bristol Maritime Academy is the only RYA coastal training centre based in the Bristol Harbour, providing you with the perfect training location, whether you need inland, river or coastal courses.

Quality of safety, training, staff and equipment are key to our packages and our flexibility ensures that customers always receive the highest quality training that they are looking for.

Superyacht Training

We offer Bespoke Crew Training delivered globally to Superyachts including marine and watersports training to meet with owners, captains and management companies needs. We also offer a full RYA Personal Watercraft (Jet-ski) Instructor training service at your location including all documentation and support.

STCW Training

We are now offering the STCW95/2010 training package as part of our Superyacht Crew Training. Working on a super yacht is an exciting career option, leading to travel and adventure opportunities worldwide. The STCW95/2010 training packages to work on a commercial vessel, which includes all of the essential codes of conduct. Key skills such as Sea Survival, Fire Fighting and Ship Security are taught giving you the necessary skills and qualifications to kickstart your career in this prestigious industry. 

STCW Training Centres

The Bristol Maritime Academy have their training centre located in Bristol, United Kingdom.

Terms and Conditions

View the training school's Terms and Conditions .

Customer Reviews

The Bristol Maritime Academy reviews as published on Google:

Steve McCoy

Average rating: 2 weeks ago

I would recommend BMA to anyone, Nigel our PB2 instructor was extremely knowledgeable, great fun, very patient and relaxed.

Phillip Turner

Average rating: a week ago

The training was fantastic, Sam was excellent. A thoroughly enjoyable course.

Amber Anderson

Average rating: 3 months ago

I completed the Level 2 powerboat course which I would highly recommend! It was great fun and Harry was a brilliant instructor. He was very patient and he was very clear with his instructions. He made the whole course interesting from the inside classroom work to the outside skills on the boat. We got to experience going through a lock, going down the river and going out to sea. We learnt skills in the classroom such as chart plotting, knots, buoy colours and loads more. On the boat we learnt how to park, manoeuvre in tight areas, planing, man over board, handling and more. It was definitely worth it and I had an excellent experience! Thank you!

Alex Moulton

Highly recommend BMA for boating courses. Harry is a great instructor. Very knowledgeable, patient & passionate. Will definitely use BMA for any future courses.

Good fun, our instructor Harry was very experienced and made the course very enjoyable and easy for everyone. We took the level 2 Powerboat qualification and are certainly considering further training. Thank you!

Dominic Breese

Average rating: 23 June 2024

I recently completed my Powerboat Level 2 course at Bristol Maritime Academy, and it was an outstanding experience. The instructor was knowledgeable, passionate, and create a supportive learning environment. The academy's brilliant facilities and well-maintained boat, set against the beautiful Bristol waterfront, made the training enjoyable and effective. Safety and professionalism are top priorities here, with meticulous planning ensuring confidence and competence on the water. I highly recommend Bristol Maritime Academy for anyone looking to advance their maritime skills—it's a truly exceptional place to learn.

Ben Tivadar

Average rating: 20 May 2024

Tremendous couple of days on the water with Bristol Maritime Academy to earn my level 2 in power boating. Great blend of theory and hands on. Small group size meant lots of time at the helm. Our instructor even doubled as a tour guide pointing out interesting bits of Bristol history. Couldn’t ask for more.

Alexander Stone

Average rating: 1 May 2024

Recently completed the RYA PB2 course. The facilities and equipment were all top notch and the instructor (Jerry Harper) was as good a teacher as I’ve ever had. I think I'll ask myself 'what would Jerry do?' going forwards! For the knowledge and skills gained, and the fun time we had, I think the course was great value. Wholeheartedly recommend!

Dimitra Chrysikou

Average rating: 28 April 2024

Really great experience doing the Powerboat course 2. The instructor, Chris, was really good, calm and made sure we practiced as much as we needed all the way to end of the course. Highly recommend it!

Jeremy Srokosz

Average rating: 12 April 2024

Excellent one day emergency outdoor first aid course. Fantastic teacher, relaxed, supportive, good level of questioning and opportunity to practise and plenty of opportunities to ask any questions throughout the day.

Steve Morrison

Average rating: 4 March 2024

What a great weekend we had on the Power Boat Level 2 Course. Excellent instruction from Sam. I was pleased to find it covered so much more than I had expected. I now feel confident and comfortable on the water with a power boat. Highly recommend if you wish to improve or learn boating skills.

Carey Huscroft

Average rating: 25 February 2024

I took the RYA Powerboat Level 2 course this week with Bristol Maritime Academy. What a great experience! Kat, our instructor, is extremely knowledgeable & skilled, patient, encouraging and very nice as well! She tailored her coaching to each person and took the time so everyone on the course learned and practiced every skill. The Bristol Harbour was a great place to learn skills and the trip down the Avon into the Bristol Channel was exciting! I'm already planning more classes with them - first aid, sea survival, and offshore safety. I am very happy that I went with Bristol Maritime Academy for my course!

Claire Howe

Average rating: 12 January 2024

RYA Powerboat Level 2. A brilliant hands on course with some classroom learning. We spent more than half our time on the water. Plenty of opportunities to ask questions. The course really improved my knowledge and confidence. The trainer was excellent. I’m looking forward to practicing my new skills.

connor hardy

Average rating: 7 January 2024

I recently completed the Power Boat Level 2 course and had an amazing experience. Cat, our instructor, was not only a brilliant teacher but also made the learning process enjoyable and interesting. The course covered everything from map reading, course plotting, and knot tying in the classroom to practical skills like parking, man overboard rescue in the Bristol Channel, and tight u-turns between moored boats. The entire experience, including going through the lock, driving under the suspension bridge, and navigating the channel, was a lot of fun. The course was thorough and delivered in a professional manner. I highly recommend it to anyone interested – it was absolutely worth every penny.

JohnyJohn Johny

Average rating: 25 October 2023

Loved the powerboat lvl 2 course. Kathryn was a great instructor, very knowledgable and passionate about what she does, so you can expect good quality training! Great manouvers guidelines! Nice boat with strong 100hp engine on. They put strong focus on practical knowledge, so there is a bit of theory to learn but majority of time is spent on the water which is fantastic. I took my course in Bristol so it was a great trip on a boat aswell where one can enjoy the view of the city from channel. Its totally different experience! Thanks Kathryn!

Kelly Knight

Average rating: 11 October 2023

We did RYA Powerboat Level 2 over the weekend. Highlights included locking out of the floating harbour with the Matthew and and cruising under the Clifton Suspension Bridge on the way to Portishead. Kat was a fantastic instructor and the boat and kit were great. I would definitely recommend this course with BMA in Bristol.

Highly recommend if you want to get a taste of driving a power boat while enjoying Bristol's beautiful scenery. The course is very well organised. Coach Rhys is very professional and patient, making sure that you master every essential skill :)

Chris Williams

Average rating: 5 October 2023

Eight if us did the Defra 1 course with Annex H and thought the whole thing was fantastic. The office based element was well paced and taught us a lot, and the practical training was a huge amount of fun and gave us a lot to think about. I would highly recommend Bristol Maritime and this course to anyone who works near water.

hobbitfeet67

Average rating: 13 September 2023

Fantastic day of theory and practical learning. Well paced, and instructors had a wealth of real life knowledge and experience. Highly recommend this course to everyone who is taking to open water.

Average rating: 11 September 2023

Did the two day Outdoor First Aid course. Not my first, er, first aid course, but defintely the first time I've left feeling like I know what I would need to do in an emergency. Well delivered, appropriately paced and clear in what our goals were. Not paid for by work, I chose this myself and would have no hesitation in recommending it to anyone wanting to feel more confident going outside for work, or as I do, to go have fun in the hills.

Average rating: 5 September 2023

RYA Power Boat 2 Course (2 days) I can not recommend this course enough. Our instructor Catherine was highly professional, really helpful, and made the whole process fun. She is one of the best instructors I have come across in years. My colleagues in the other boat also gave very good feedback about their instructor. It has exactly the right balance of class room work and practical boating skills. Thanks for a great weekend course.

Catherine Shepherd

Average rating: 11 August 2023

Excellent course - really nice mix of theory and practical. The instructors tailored their approach for all ages and experience - I was with my 14 year old son and while we were with three other adults he was made to feel very much part of the course and really enjoyed all of it. Katherine, our instructor, was very (very) calm and clear and gave positive feedback and encouragement while always showing you how you could improve. Would highly recommend.

Alison Mair

Average rating: 4 August 2023

What a fantastic place. The course content was delivered by an excellent tutor in a simple no nonsense fashion. Easy to understand and retain information. The venue is good with free all day parking. Cannot recommend it highly enough

Peter Hayes

Average rating: 16 July 2023

Took the one day RYA VHF SRC course with them and it was excellent. Great tutor, Dave, with bags of experience at sea. Friendly people, good location and facilities. Learnt so much and was successful with the exam. Highly recommended

Average rating: 21 May 2023

The course was very well organised and informative. Jack ran the course and has huge experience as a captain of super-yachts and clearly has great skills in teaching. There was a good balance of practical boating and classroom technical leaning. I would recommend the course as a great experience to start your power boat futures.

Steve Randell

Average rating: 23 March 2023

I attended the YRA Powerboat Level 2 out of Portishead Marina. The course was great fun and very informative. The instructor ( Catherine ) was very patient and cool headed, she explained everything extremely well and even gave us a small history lesson in the Avon Gorge! All in all a great 2 days and I highly recommend the Bristol Maritime Academy for this qualification.

Paul Gilbert

Average rating: 22 March 2023

Attended RYA first aid course here. Our instructor Kat was excellent and very knowledgeable, making the course highly interactive and hands on. The best first aid course I’ve attended by a long way.

Mike Harrison

Average rating: 20 February 2023

Excellent intensive Day Skipper course with Andrew Smith over two 3-day sessions, interestingly presented and engaging. Now looking forward to my practical. The location was handy with convenient parking and staff at BMA were helpful too. Back for my VHF course in a couple of weeks.

Rachel Kaden

Average rating: 1 December 2022

Really and thoroughly enjoyed this outdoors first aid course. Learnt a lot and felt so confident. Kat was an excellent trainer and was full of knowledge to answer all of our questions and not afraid to double check something if she was unsure of all of our many many questions. She took all of our individual reasons for being on the course into consideration and related it to the information she gave us. Thank you so much, I feel so ready to keep people safe in potentially hazardous environments.

Average rating: 30 October 2022

I did an RYA Day Skipper Theory course at Bristol Maritime Academy. It was really well run, the instructor (Andrew) was excellent, and it's a lovely building and location. Highly recommended.

Average rating: 18 October 2022

The Outdoor First Aid course was extremely informative and very applied. Katherine the instructor was brilliant. I highly recommend.

Kamila Jast

Average rating: 10 October 2022

Very good and practical powerboating course with knowledgeable instructor, patient, passionate about passing on knowledge and making sure that one actually gains practical skills to do it independently. I'm coming back to do 2 more courses.

Jack Brooker

Average rating: 30 August 2022

Brilliant RYA training course. Very informative and very friendly instructor. Will be back when I need to refresh my certificate.

Chris Green

Average rating: 12 August 2022

Very thorough and comprehensive. Thank you.

George Lewis

Average rating: 8 August 2022

RYA powerboat level 2 course in Bristol harbour. Did the course over the weekend with a view to an ICC for hiring purposes abroad. Whilst we benefited from fantastic weather and I only met the single trainer, I would recommend both the course and BMA for any novice powerboaters. Friendly, informative with a flexible accommodating approach. See the sights of Bristol and the Avon gorge while you're at it!

Kate Fraser

Average rating: 28 July 2022

Thorough and really valuable. Would highly recommend Kat ☺️

Peter Corcoran

Average rating: 1 July 2022

Well done Tim your a star. All the training was nicely paced for all of the group.

Average rating: 27 December 2021

Excellent training programme for Powerboat Level2, various situations to give you a great learning experience, around the floating harbour, going through the lock and a long trip down the tidal river avon, then through the estuary and out to sea. Highly recommend for anyone looking to get trained for PB2. Thanks to all at Bristol Maritime Academy.

Average rating: 4 October 2021

I did a powerboat course through Bristol Maritime Academy. The instructor, Dan, was incredibly patient, knowledgable and enthusiastic about boating. Very professionally run company. I would highly recommend to anyone.

Average rating: 26 July 2021

Completed my Powerboat Level 2 course with Bristol Maritime Academy which they run from Portishead Marina and would highly recommend it. Absolutely amazing experience. Jordan is a top class instructor and knows his stuff! Thanks Jordan and BMA, I'll be back to do my PB Advanced once I've got some more experience!

Richard Dennys

Average rating: 26 April 2021

I've just completed and passed my Powerboat 2 plus VHF RYA courses and successfully applied for my ICC (

Samantha Woodward

Average rating: 15 September 2020

Great set up here in the heart of Bristol. I managed to park right at the harbour office for free so that's great. Lucky for our small group of 3 we had great weather on both days. Jordan, our instructor was very calm and relaxing to be with and did not hesitate to go over each thing if you didn't get it right first time. An asset to the business! The boats were clean and well maintained and all the correct gear provided for us. I did my power boat level 2 and will get my ICC from this as well. Highly recommended

Average rating: 5 August 2019

The receptionist was absolutely useless and non helpful. Seeing as the is a training establishment doesn't fill me with much confidence. Don't know if I was just unlikely but the simplest of tasks seemed impossible

Johnny Martin

Average rating: 5 March 2019

Excellent training - I did the VHF course. I wouldn't hesitate to use again or recommend.

David Talbot

Average rating: 27 January 2018

A great little training centre in a fantastic location. Friendly, welcoming staff and very knowledgable instructors who made what could have been a pretty dry couple of days safety and survival training fun.

Glen Travers

Average rating: 18 September 2017

Completed my Powerboat level 2 course and had a fantastic time, whilst learning lots of new skills. The instructors were great and all the equipment and boats were brilliant for what we needed. I would highly recommend both the course and Bristol Maritime Academy.

Average rating: 29 July 2017

Amazing instructors, quality equipment and a fantastic experience completing the Level 2 Powerboat handlers course

Average rating: 5 March 2017

This weekend just completed the RYA Powerboat Level 2 Course at Bristol Maritime Academy. Excellent Venue using both Bristol Floating Dock Area (protected area) and then the Bristol Channel (not so protected!!!! - including today's, rain, hail stones and very high winds!). 2 Boats provided opportunity to swap boats, different sizes and different handling needed; course was well structured with classroom work, but a lot of water time. Chief Instructor Lilly is quite simply exceptional; excellent training style, provides really clear instruction, very supportive, firm hand when needed!, all with an energetic, bubbly personality. Instructor Charlie very good, good presentational skills, very confident and competent; patient and guidance as required. Used many RYA Training Schools in last 5 years for Sailing, Dinghy Training and now Powerboat - would really recommend Bristol Maritime Academy - I will certainly be back for more. Andy

Julian Zadarnowski

Average rating: 27 September 2016

Excellent 2 days on the water on the RYA L2 Powerboat course. Professional but relaxed style covering theory in the class room but mainly in closed water and then down the Avon to the Bristol Channel. Can highly recommend Bristol Maritime and will use them again

Iain Forster

Average rating: 12 September 2016

I recently completed an Offshore Powerboat Level II course with Bristol Maritime Academy. All the staff were very welcoming, the course was well structured and the instruction could not be faulted. A very professional, yet relaxed environment to complete the course. A very enjoyable course!

Stephen Martin

Average rating: 15 August 2016

Fantastic place to do your level two powerboat training. Knowledgeable instructors who make it fun to learn, and a location that would be hard to better; harbour for slow boat manoeuvres and the Bristol Channel for higher speed turns and wave technique. Feel very confident about taking a speed boat out now. Thanks guys.

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Leisure Training

RYA/HSE recognised courses such as Navigation, Powerboating, and Sea Survival to make the most out of your time on the water.

Have fun and be safe

Workplace Training

For employees and organisations working near to, or in the water.  HSE,  RLSS UK, RYA, DEFRA and bespoke training to keep your team safe.

POPULAR COURSES

Rya powerboat level 2, rya first aid, defra (mod 1) flood and awareness, rya vhf/src radio, workplace training, keep your team water safe,  workplace training.

Specialising in safety training for organisations and individuals working in or around water, our commercial arm delivers courses and packages online, on-site, and on water.

With over a decade of experience training teams for the workplace, we offer RLSS UK, DEFRA, RYA, and HSE training. Making sure you and your team work safely and are trained in areas such as water and flood rescue, powerboating, sea survival, and first aid.

Global Bespoke Crew Training

Superyacht pwc training.

We offer bespoke crew training delivered globally to Superyachts including marine and watersports training to meet with owners, captains and management companies needs. We also offer a full RYA Personal Watercraft (Jet-ski) Instructor training service at your location including all documentation and support.

Superyacht Solutions

Our Locations

Based in the heart of Bristols Historic Harbour and Portishead Marina, the Bristol Maritime Academy has two perfect locations to deliver commercial and leisure training.

Surrounded by some of the most unique waterways in the world we have access to coastal, river and inland waters. Meaning our courses and training ensure our clients are in the best possible environment for their training needs. With Bristol having a rich maritime history and Portishead Marina having fantastic access to the river Avon there is no better place to train and learn in.

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Powerboat education, courses & training in the South West of England

Stuart Scorgie is a tutor, trainer and aquatic specialist with South West Maritime Academy sharing his wealth of experience and knowledge with those wishing to expand their powerboating skills and qualifications.

Read Stuart's Blog

Do I need to take a Powerboat course?

In reality , everyone on the sea comes under the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) regulations. On 29 July 2020 the MCA published a marine guidance note to provide clarification and guidance on the merchant shipping (safety of navigation) regulations which implement chapter V of the International Convention for the safety of life at sea 1974 (SOLAS) in its most recently amended form into UK law.  In a nutshell - you may be prosecuted if you fail to adhere to them. Follow this link for the latest government leaflet on chapter V for recreational boaters:  SOLAS regulations for pleasure boat users

A recent change to UK law has caused a change in focus from what was initially intended for PWC users to move more towards all watercraft users. 

The Merchant Shipping (Watercraft) Order 2023 places a duty onwatercraft owners in UK waters to ensure that it is operated in a safe manner. If the owner fails to do this, they may commit an offence, punishable by imprisonment for a term up to two years, a fine, or both.

• the act or omission was deliberate or amounted to a breach or neglect of duty.
• the person who committed the act or made the omission was under the influence of drink or a drug at the time of the act or omission.

then the person is guilty of an offence under section 58 (conduct endangering ships, structures, or individuals) of the Merchant Shipping Act 1995, as applied by the 2023 Order. 

With this in mind, our advice is to take a course.

If you are unable to find a date that suits you drop me an Email with your request.

Powerboat Courses Calendar

Find a powerboat course.

South West Maritime Academy is a leading provider of RYA powerboat courses for all levels of experience and ability, from complete novices to competent professionals and those looking to enhance their career prospects or update required industry specific qualifications. We operate the Powerboat School from Portishead Marina with our well equipped MCA coded 7.8m Ribcraft RIB.

As well as a great training area, there are plenty of cafes, comfort stop facilities and free parking.

PowerBoat Level 2 Course

Challenge Scale:

Minimum age:  12 Years. Under 16's Issued With Endorsed Certificate

The most popular powerboat course - no prior experience or Level 1 is needed. This 2 day RYA Course is a well recognised qualification and can be used to hire powerboats up to 10 metres, is accepted by insurance companies for boat owners and can be Commercially Endorsed to legally take up to 12 passengers to sea. There is no exam and is designed as an enjoyable 2 days.

In A Nutshell:  This course is for you if you want to own or hire a powerboat and need the skills to be safe - or if you need to work commercially - and legally - within 3 miles of shore during daylight hours. 

• or give us a call -  01454 260 130

Here at The South West Maritime Academy , we are industry leaders in maritime safety training courses, offering a wide range of maritime courses including the mandatory STCW Basic Safety Training - essential for all seafaring personnel.

Over recent years we've helped many newcomers to the industry, along with competent professionals enhancing their careers with the essential training they need to do their jobs effectively. We offer real hands-on training for all candidates at our our main site in Cromhall, South Gloucestershire and our PowerBoat School in Portishead, ensuring that you are not trained with just theory - actual real-life experience is in our opinion, essential.

When you train with us, you can rest assured that you are learning with the top maritime academy in the UK - with well-qualified instructors and many years of experience. Our pass rates are fantastic, in 2021, 100% of participants at the South West Maritime Academy willing to recommend our courses and facilities. Don't just take our word for it - we are accredited by several examination boards - Edexcel, Maritime & Coastguard Agency, Pearson and the RYA.

• About Stuart Scorgie
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• SW Maritime Academy Website

© 2024 All content and images are the property of Stuart Scorgie and may not be reproduced without express permission.

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Compass Sea School Ltd

Compass Sea School Ltd, located at Portishead Marina on the Bristol Channel, offers first class professional tuition in all aspects of water and shorebased RYA Powerboat courses from Level 1 through to Advanced Instructor training. In addition we offer commercial training and examinations for those involved in the marine industry on a professional basis as an accredited Maritime and Coastguard Agency training centre. The combined experience of our instructional team equates to over 80 years making the school one of the most experienced training centres in the country. We are the chosen training provider for the Avon and Somerset Police and the Environment Agency (South West ).  Our students range from complete novices through to those who have been boating for their entire lives. We also specialise in providing training for people who plan to work commercially on the water skippering dive, fishing or other charter boats.

We offer the following courses:

RYA Level 1, Level 2, ICC, Own Boat Tuition, Intermediate and Advanced including commercial endorsements. Shorebased and Navigation Courses: VHF-SRC Radio, RADAR, First Aid, Diesel Engine, Sea Survival, Essential Nav and Seamanship, Day Skipper Theory and Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaster Theory. The full range of powerboat instructor courses and MCA STCW 95 Basic Training (5 days)

View Compass Sea School Ltd's Courses

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