The Royal Yachting Association (RYA), established in 1875 as the Yacht Racing Association, has evolved into the national governing body for various maritime activities, including dinghy, motor and sail cruising, all forms of sail racing, RHIBs, sports boats, windsurfing, personal watercraft, and even activities like Portland scuba diving. The RYA is also the leading authority for inland waterways cruising.
As an RYA recognised training centre, Jurassic Aqua Sports based in Weymouth Dorset, offers a range of courses to promote safety on the water at all times, regardless of your activity, including Portland scuba diving.
We provide Powerboat Level 1 and 2 qualifications and SRC VHF Radio courses, ensuring that your water-based leisure activities, including Portland scuba diving, remain safe and enjoyable.
Our RYA Training Centre is located at Unit F McKay Way Lynch Lane Weymouth Dorset DT4 9DN.
We have a fully equipped classroom, including a 65’ monitor, individual iPads for teaching the use of Navionics charts, shore-based Simrad Evo3S 12‘ GPS training unit, and the smaller Lowrance HDS 5 chart plotter along with Icom VHF Radio training sets. This setup provides you with the best opportunity to gain confidence, improve your knowledge and skills, which is essential for activities like Portland scuba diving, making your boating experience safer and more enjoyable.
Our RYA Powerboat Level 2 practical sessions take place in the area of Portland Harbour Dorset, which is only a short dive from our RYA Training Centre in Weymouth.
To book any of our courses, click on the link below:-
A one-day introduction to powerboating with no previous experience necessary.
Course description
The one-day RYA Level 1 Start Powerboating course is a fantastic practical introduction to boat handling and safety in powerboats. While exploring the thrilling world of powerboating, you can also discover exciting activities like Portland scuba diving.
Covering launch and recovery, preparing the boat and crew, boat handling, picking up and securing to a buoy, leaving and coming alongside. No previous experience is required and at the end of the day, you should be comfortable helming under supervision.
Perfect for novices or crew members wanting to contribute more to their time on the water, the entry-level course can be completed on a centre vessel or your own craft. It’s also a great introduction for younger crew members, with a minimum age of eight-years-old.
Looking for further reading?
RYA Start Powerboating (G48) is packed with information and advice - a must-read for all novice powerboaters. Please note this book is included with the RYA Powerboat Level 2 course.
Course overview
Course length
1 day
Course format
Afloat
Required experience
None
Minimum age
8
(candidates under the age of 17 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian who is also booked onto the course)
Course content
Launch and recovery (8-11 year olds to observe)
Preparation of boat and crew
Boat handling
Picking up and securing to a mooring buoy
Leaving and coming alongside
Man overboard (theory)
Cost: £185.00 (minimum 2 persons)
Course Dates:-
Contact us for details on
07970 292 132
A two-day course to get to grips with powerboat handling while also exploring nearby activities such as Portland scuba diving.
Course description
This course provides the essential skills and background knowledge needed by the competent powerboat driver and serves as the foundation for the International Certificate of Competence. It focuses on teaching boat handling and seamanship in powerboats, emphasizing low-speed close-quarters handling, man overboard recovery, an introduction to driving at planing speed, and collision regulations. The course can be conducted at an inland or coastal location, allowing participants to enjoy the beautiful scenery, perhaps even after a session of Portland scuba diving. Various boat types, both planing and displacement, may be used during training, and the certificate issued will be endorsed to reflect the type of boat in which the training occurred.
Course overview
Course length
2 days
Course format
Practical course on the water
Required experience
None. May be preceded by Level 1 Start Powerboating
Minimum age
12 (candidates under the age of 17 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian who is also booked on the course)
Course content
- Launching and recovery
- Boat handling
- Securing to a buoy
- Anchoring
- Leaving and coming alongside
- Man overboard
Cost:- £360.00
Course Dates:-
- 11th & 12th April
- 9th & 10th May ~ 2 spaces remaining
- 6th & 7th June
- 13th & 14th June
- 4th & 5th July
- 18th & 19th July
- 22nd & 23rd August
- 3rd & 4th September
If these dates don't work for you, simply give us a ring, and we’d be happy to arrange bespoke dates to fit your schedule.
Get qualified to use a handheld or fixed marine VHF radio with our RYA VHF SRC Training Courses and exam, which take place either online or at our RYA Training Centre in Weymouth, which is essential for anyone involved in activities like Portland scuba diving…
Course description
If you have a VHF radio onboard your boat, or even carry a handheld VHF whilst kayaking or paddle-boarding, you need to hold an operator’s licence.
A radio is an important piece of safety equipment on board and it is vital to understand the correct procedures. The Short Range Certificate is the minimum qualification required by law to control the operation of VHF and VHF Digital Selective Calling (DSC) equipment on any British flagged vessel voluntarily fitted with a radio either fixed or hand held.
Our RYA Marine Radio Short Range Certificate course is a one-day course aimed at anyone who wants to operate a marine VHF radio, with or without Digital Selective Calling. With options to complete the course online or in the classroom, you can learn at your own pace and convenience.
Vital for days out boating or engaging in Portland scuba diving, it covers radio functionality, how to relay information clearly and swiftly in an emergency, as well as hands-on practice of operating and talking over the radio.
Course overview
Course length
10 hours plus exam time.
Course format
This course is based either online or in the classroom with the exam taking place in the classroom.
Required experience
None
Minimum age
16
Course content
Basics of radio operation
Frequencies
Distress
Emergency and medical assistance procedures
Making ship to shore telephone calls
Digital Selective Calling
Global Maritime Distress Safety System
Classroom Cost:-
£135.00 + £76.00 exam fee
Online Cost:-
£85.00 + £76.00 exam fee
To book an online course, email JurassicAquaSports@gmail.com or give a ring at 07970 292 132.
Course Classroom Dates:-
20th May
17th June
8th July
5th August
16th September
7th October
21st October
4th November
9th December
No dates that work for you? Simply give us a ring; we are happy to arrange bespoke dates for family groups or BSAC dive club group bookings. Contact us for details.
We are here to help and prepare you to Stay Safe at Sea…
As an RYA Training Centre we have qualified instructors available to provide private boat tuition tailor made to you requirements.
We are able to help and assist you if you are struggling parking your boat or need a hand grasping the basics along with help with charts or GPS plotters e.t.c.
We are able to cover launch and recovery, preparing the boat and crew, boat handling, picking up and securing to a buoy, leaving and coming alongside. No previous experience is required and at the end of the day, you should be comfortable helming under supervision.
Perfect for novices or crew members wanting to contribute more to their time on the water, the entry-level course can be completed on a centre vessel or your own craft. It’s also a great introduction for younger crew members.
Looking for further reading?
RYA Start Powerboating (G48) is packed with information and advice - a must-read for all novice powerboaters.
Please note this book is included with the RYA Powerboat Level 2 course.
Contact us for details on 07970 292 132