Swiftwater Rescue Boat Operator - General Information

General information | 4 day course outline | 4 day course info | 3 day course outline | 3 day course info | Costs & dates

In addition to covering the skills required to helm powerboats in a swiftwater environment this course builds upon skills already learnt in SRT Unit 1 and applies them to working from boats in swiftwater. 

Two training options are available; a 4 day class which includes the RYA Level 2 Powerboat Award (the Level 2 is a pre-requisite for the RBO class), or a 3 day course without the Level 2.

Key content areas include:

Application of bank based rescue techniques from boats

• Throwline rescue from boats
• Livebait rescues from boats
• Casualty recovery techniques

Motorboat handling in swiftwater conditions

• Swiftwater features and hazards
• Ferry glides
• Eddy turns
• Tethered boat options

Additionally SRBO courses delivered by Rescue 3 (UK) at Plas Menai are approved by the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan).

4 day combined RYA Level 2 Powerboat and Swiftwater Rescue Boat Operator

Days 1 and 2 cover the RYA Powerboat Level 2 award whilst days 3 and 4 focus on the application of bank-based rescues from boats and motorboat handling in swiftwater conditions.

Course pre-requisites

• All students need to have completed a Rescue 3 International Swiftwater Rescue Technician Unit 1 within the last 3 years

3 day Swiftwater Rescue Boat Operator

The first day of the course is a powerboat operator refresher preparing candidates for the rest of the course. Days 2 and 3 focus on the application of bank-based rescues from boats and motorboat handling in swiftwater conditions.

Course pre-requisites

• Students need to have completed a Rescue 3 International Swiftwater Rescue Technician Level 1/Unit 1 within the last 3 years.

• Students need to hold an RYA Level 2 Powerboat Certificate

Courses are based at Plas Menai, The National Watersports Centre, near Caernarfon and are delivered by a combination of Rescue 3 (UK) and Plas Menai instructors.  Course costs include full board accommodation at Plas Menai, registration fees, use of specialist equipment and PPE.  There is a maximum instructor:student ratio of 1:3 to ensure the level of supervision that this course requires.

Related Links:
Rescue 3 (UK) Courses Flowchart
Info and Costs on Running this as a Contracted Course
Rescue 3 (UK) and UCLan Partnership

General information | 4 day course outline | 4 day course info | 3 day course outline | 3 day course info | Costs & dates