RYA Safety Boat Course in Brighton

We are located at Brighton Marina. You will be sent the full address and postcode upon booking, but here is a guide to finding us:

• By Car: Approaching the marina from the A27 take the B2123. Turn right at first set of traffic lights, signposted Brighton Town Centre, Racecourse and Marina Village. Turn left at second set of traffic lights, pass the Racecourse and follow the signs for the Marina Village where there is free parking for 1500 cars in the multi-storey car park. From the car park you can either go across a linking bridge on level 6 or from the ground floor of the car park towards all the waterfront cafes and bars. Walk to the end of the boarded walk way where there will be a large ramp heading down towards the pontoons. We are the first set of pontoons on the right. Pontoon 6.
• By Bike: Brighton Marina has a bike share station which is either pay per minute or a yearly membership. For your own bike, racks are available on the main concourses of the pontoons. You must use the racks and not leave bikes on the pontoons otherwise Premier Marina will take them away.
• By Bus: Brighton and Hove bus service operates a number 7 bus approximately every 15 minutes 24 hours a day, from Brighton Town Centre (North Street or Queens Road), to the Marina Village.
• On Foot: Brighton Marina is a pleasant walk along the seafront from the centre of Brighton, it is 20 minutes walk from the main West Pier. During the summer you will also find the Volks electric railway operates along the front.
• By Train: The nearest main line station is Brighton with regular connections to Chichester, Portsmouth and London is under an hour away.
• By Air: Brighton is within easy reach of Heathrow and Gatwick international airports. Follow the A23 from Gatwick to Brighton. Shoreham airport is also available for private light aircraft.

Please bring with you:

• Be prepared for changeable weather, bring plenty of layers
• Quick drying clothes can be very practical, avoid jeans
• Sunglasses, sunhat and suncream for summer months and woolly hats, thermals and layers for winter months
• Deck boots and non-slip deck shoes or trainers that don’t mark
• If you have your own waterproofs, please bring them, or you can borrow ours
• If you are worried or unsure whether you suffer from seasickness then pills and wrist-bands work well. Don’t arrive on an empty stomach and take tablets with breakfast if you have never been sailing on the sea before, sometimes the motion takes a while to get used to
• Please note that we only have limited lockers for putting valuables in, so please minimise these as much as possible
• Money for lunch or a packed lunch

Important additional items:

• RYA Powerboat courses need a photo with the certificate so please bring two passport photographs
• If you require the International Certificate Of Competence (ICC) please note for non RYA members there is an additional certification fee.

This course is ideal for:

• Water sports instructors or support crew
• Anyone responsible for providing safety cover at sailing clubs, marinas, or water sports events
• Powerboaters looking to expand their skills into safety boat operations
• Individuals holding an RYA Powerboat Level 2 certificate who want to learn more about rescue techniques

Yes, to enrol in the RYA Safety Boat Course, you must:

• Be at least 16 years old
• Hold an RYA Powerboat Level 2 Certificate
• Have a basic understanding of sailing boats and windsurfing (as you'll need to know how to rescue these craft)

You will cover a wide range of skills, including:

• Rescue techniques for dinghies, windsurfers, kayaks, and multihulls
• Boat handling skills in confined spaces and open water
• Towing other craft safely
• How to position the safety boat to provide the best support during water sports events
• End-of-day procedures for maintaining safety equipment and the boat
• Key communication skills when coordinating with other safety personnel
• Safety protocols and how to assess local weather and tidal conditions

The course is held over two days, with a combination of classroom theory and practical, on-water training. Each day typically runs from around 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

There is no formal written exam, but your instructor will assess your skills throughout the course. You’ll need to demonstrate proficiency in the key safety boat techniques to receive the RYA Safety Boat Certificate.

Safety is our priority. If weather conditions are unsuitable for practical training, we will either adjust the schedule or focus on theory sessions until it is safe to continue with the on-water training. We will always keep you informed if any changes are necessary due to the weather.