Night-time boating presents challenges not found during the day, and this course gives boaters practical experience in real conditions under expert guidance. You’ll practise navigating, interpreting lights, and managing tidal influences, all while building confidence in low-light conditions. The session combines focused instruction with hands-on helm time, allowing you to develop night navigation skills safely.
The evening starts with a short briefing at Hamble Point Marina covering night pilotage, buoyage, vessel identification, and safety procedures. You’ll then move onto the water to practise entering and leaving harbours, recognising navigation lights, and managing short night passages under Rob’s guidance.
During the session, you’ll repeatedly practise berthing and leaving moorings in reduced visibility, learning how tidal currents and wind affect manoeuvres after dark. The exercises are paced to let you develop skills confidently, ask questions, and practise techniques until they feel natural. You’ll leave with a clear understanding of how to operate a powerboat safely at night and the experience to plan short passages independently.
Training takes place in the Solent, an ideal environment for night navigation with sheltered channels, open stretches, tidal currents, and regular traffic. You’ll get exposure to real-world conditions that challenge your decision-making, boat handling, and navigation skills.
Sessions depart from Hamble Point Marina in Southampton, with easy access, secure berthing, and nearby facilities. Depending on tides and weather, exercises may also take place in nearby waters such as the Beaulieu River, Lymington, or Yarmouth harbours to provide a variety of night navigation scenarios while keeping the session safe and effective.
Operators should already be comfortable driving a powerboat during daylight hours. Skills roughly equivalent to RYA Powerboat Level 2, including basic navigation, pilotage, and boat handling, are recommended.
This course is intended to build confidence in night operations and is not suitable for complete beginners. It focuses on practical, real-world experience rather than formal certification, giving you the skills and knowledge to navigate safely in darkness.
Rob leads each session personally, offering practical advice, real-world tips, and patient guidance. His approachable style helps you develop confidence quickly while practising night-time navigation in a realistic setting.
The sessions are small and hands-on, so you get maximum helm time and individual attention. Rob ensures that learning is engaging, interactive, and tailored to your current skill level. You’ll finish the evening with the knowledge to handle a powerboat safely after dark, plus practical skills you can immediately apply on your own boat or charter.
About the centre
Hamble-le-Rice, Southampton
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Hampshire and Isle of Wight, United Kingdom
From £365
Hampshire and Isle of Wight, United Kingdom
From £65
