RYA Certified: What next?

Earning your RYA Powerboat Level 2 (PB2) certificate is a huge achievement. It means that you have demonstrated the essential competence needed to safely operate a small power-driven vessel. Now that you hold your foundational licence to practice, what’s next? In this RYA career guidance, you will learn about the potential PB2 next steps and the paths you can take. 

Path 1: Leisure Boating and International Freedom

1. Securing Your International Certificate of Competence (ICC)

The first thing you need to do is to secure your ICC. The Powerboat Course certificate proves that you have the skills to charter a vessel, but an ICC is needed for chartering or cruising vessels in most parts of Europe, the Mediterranean, and the Caribbean. In other words, an ICC is your passport for international waters.

2. Gaining Sailing Experience

As the old saying goes, practice makes perfect. The skills you gained from your powerboat level 2 course need to be sharpened by practising in real-world situations. Focus on skill refinement by anchoring in different depths, testing your basic navigation skills outside familiar training areas, and tight mooring manoeuvres in varying winds.

3. Expanding Your Boating Knowledge

Practical boating skills are best complemented by theoretical knowledge. Therefore, you may want to pursue an additional theory course to improve your overall expertise. For instance, the RYA Essential Navigation and Seamanship covers the fundamentals of charts, tides, and pilotage. Another popular course is the RYA Day Skipper Theory, which provides in-depth knowledge of navigation, chart work, and meteorology. 

Path 2: Professional and Commercial Career

If you took the PB2 qualification to start a career in the marine industry, your path will be slightly different. Depending on whether you want to drive a safety board, work in a charter fleet, or work on a superyacht tender, your next steps could include the following:

1. Obtain Commercial Endorsement

With PB2 as your skill base, you can now obtain endorsement to work commercially. The process involves pursuing the RYA Professional Practices and Responsibilities (PPR), a Valid First Aid Certificate, and an ENG1 or ML5 Medical Certificate. 

2. Advanced Powerboat Training

During your PB2 course, you learned to operate a powerboat in appropriate conditions. However, commercial work usually requires operating further offshore, in more demanding weather, and even at night. To equip yourself with more skills, consider understanding additional courses like the RYA Intermediate Powerboat Certificate and the RYA Advanced Powerboat Certificate that enhance your skills for such conditions. 

3. The Superyacht and Instructional Routes

The Powerboat Level 2 and Commercial Endorsement are the minimum requirements for entry-level deckhand or tender driver roles in super yachts. You will now need supplementary courses like the STCW Basic Safety Training before you can work on large commercial vessels. On the other hand, after the PB2 the most logical next step for the instructor path is undertaking the RYA Safety Boat course and the RYA Powerboat Instructor course. 

PB2 Next Steps with NXT Marine 

At NXT Marine, we offer more than just the Powerboat Level 2 course. We guide you in taking the next steps, whether you are aiming for a career as a flotilla skipper or simply want to cruise the Greek Islands. Our experienced instructor will help you master the river and choose the right path for your cruising journey.