DRIVING SMALL BOATS / ZODIACS COURSE
One of the major components of the job as an expedition guide is driving boats. Just as a safari guide needs to be capable of skilfully driving a 4×4 in challenging terrain, we need to be able to drive Zodiacs in challenging and changeable conditions.
This course will teach you how to drive small boats and become competent in all aspects from driving, manoeuvring, dealing with ‘man overboard’, flipped boats, safety and the rules governing small boats. You will also learn critical navigation skills. We use tiller-steered rubber inflatable boats, similar to those used onboard most ships, to give you the most authentic learning experience.
The International Guiding Institute’s Complete Expedition Guide course and Driving Small Boats/Zodiac course is aligned with the requirements of the PTGA for driving small boats, so will prepare you for driving boats in the expedition environment.
COURSE SYLLABUS
This course has two primary modules:
- Driving and working with small boats.
- Navigation
GOOD TO KNOW
Duration 6 days
Cost: US $2 700
Includes: Accommodation, meals and transportation to and from venue.
Training is completed on tiller-steered inflatable boats, similar to what is used on expedition ships.
PTGA Alignment:
- Working with small boats
- Driving small boats
- Navigation skills
DRIVING AND WORKING WITH SMALL BOATS
During this course we will cover the following:
- The content and uses of all shore kit and/or stranding barrel contents that we use in polar regions.
- Ship specific passenger small boat/Zodiac safety guidelines and how to enforce them.
- Personal preparedness and professional presentation.
- To check and identify correct usage of life jackets and PFD’s and troubleshoot.
- To load and unload a small boat/Zodiac during standard operations at a landing, on a pier or beach.
- How to pre-check the Zodiac/small boat and start the engine.
- Safe driving manoeuvres in a range of conditions and up to moderate speeds.
- Man overboard (MOB) briefing and rescue procedures.
- To drive a small boat/Zodiac to and from a landing site and have strategies for shallow water approach and departure.
- How to approach a gangway/platform/pier and load/unload passengers.
- How transfer passengers safely to another small boat/Zodiac on the water.
- Strategies for driving safely, alone or in pairs, when distant from ship, shore or in limited visibility.
- Strategies and/or theory of anchoring/de-anchoring, tying or clipping a small boat/Zodiac.
- Knots for small boat/Zodiac use.
- Strategies and theory for towing, or being towed by, another small boat/Zodiac or vessel.
- How to problem solve basic engine problems.
- How to deal with a pontoon puncture.
- Key actions and priorities in the event of a small boat/Zodiac capsize.
- Methods and risks associated with righting a capsized small boat/Zodiac.
- Local regulations and/or legal requirements.
NAVIGATION
- How to interpret maps and charts.
- How to use navigation tools.
- Environmental navigation strategies.
- Electronic navigation aids and systems.
- Basic use of standard or digital handheld compass.
- How to use handheld GPS or smartphone to problem solve and manage a location change.
International Guiding Institute’s Driving Small Boats course VS RYA Powerboat 2
Many people ask us what the difference is between the International Guiding Institute Driving Small Boats course and the Royal Yachting Association Powerboat Level 2 (RYA PB2) course. The RYA PB2 is a 2-day course aimed at those wanting to be able to handle a powerboat in familiar waters by day.
The International Guiding Institute Driving Small Boats course covers the content of the RYA Powerboat II course and a whole lot more. Our job as expedition guides requires a higher level of training and different skillset to those taught on the RYA course, such as man overboard drills, transferring people from one boat to another, how to get guests safely onto and off of boats at the shore, driving a tiller steered boat such as a Zodiac Mark V, dealing with flipped boats etc.
