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Joining Instructions

everything you need to know

Welcome aboard! This page contains everything you need to know before starting your training or boat care service with Mendez. From what to bring and where to meet, to essential safety information and contact details, our joining instructions are designed to make your experience smooth, safe, and enjoyable. Please read through carefully and don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions — our team is here to help you every step of the way.

Accordion Content

Our practical courses are all about getting you afloat — you’ll spend the majority of your time out on the water where the real learning happens, with only a little time in the classroom for the essentials.

To make sure you’re comfortable, please bring waterproof clothing and sturdy footwear that you don’t mind getting wet. A spare change of clothes and a towel are also handy, just in case your waterproofs let in a bit of water.

We’ll provide you with one of our serviced and approved lifejackets, so you can focus on enjoying your time on the course.

If you’re booked on a Powerboat Level 2 or Day Skipper course, don’t forget to bring a passport-sized photograph — this is required for us to issue your certificate.

Courses usually run from 0930 – 1730 each day.

 

The SRC / VHF course is a one-day shore-based course followed by an assessment which takes between 30min and 1 hour.

Participating on our VHF course (including GMDSS) requires some pre-course studying from your side. Please read the pages from the course handbook G31, this is pre course reading (approx 3 hours) is vital as there is no time during the day to teach the essential theory to enable you to understand the practical aspects of the course. The pre-learning pages can be downloaded in a zip folder from the button below:

VHF Pre-Learning

The classroom SRC/VHF radio course and assessment starts at 09.00 and will end at approximately at 18.00. Please ensure you follow the steps on BELOW to pay for the exam and get your RYA Exam Application form which allows you to participate in the exam. (these often go to spam, please check there) The assessment will take about 1 hour during which you will be tested on your home study and course content.

Candidates are expected to have the basic knowledge of the phonetic alphabet and the operation of VHFs you will be given a copy of the G31 VHF Handbook on arrival for the course.

Please bring the following with you;
1) Pen & paper.
2) RYA SRC exam application form (see above).
3) Recent colour passport photo (NOT POLAROID)
4) IF YOU HAVE COMPLETED THE ONLINE COURSE please print out and bring the course completion certificate

PRE-LEARNING
Listed below are some pre-course study tasks, an essential part of the course as you will be tested on these topics during the exam. This should take you about three hours to complete. All of the below is contained in the zip file downloaded from the above button.
• Read chapters 1, 2 and 3 of the RYA VHF Handbook
• Read Chapters 4, 5 and 6
• Read Chapters 9 and 10
• Familiarise yourself with the phonetic alphabet, page 42
• Read about the Distress Call and Message on pages 44 & 45

RYA Exam Payment
The SRC exam fee is ÂŁ76 and covers the cost of the examiner and the administration of processing and issuing the certificate. This fee is payable directly to the RYA.
Prior to taking the exam, use the RYA online exam payment system to pay for the exam and receive a personalised exam application form. Print this out and take it with you to the exam, together with your passport sized photo. (these often go to spam, please check there)

The exam payment system can be accessed here https://www.rya.org.uk/exams

More info about the exam can be obtained from here https://www.rya.org.uk/training/theory/src-exams

We offer a range of classroom-based courses within the RYA Navigation scheme, with durations ranging from 1 to 6 days. Some courses may also be delivered as evening sessions or on non-consecutive days — full details will be provided in your booking confirmation.

Course Lengths:

  • Essential Navigation & Seamanship – 16 hours (normally 2 days)

  • Day Skipper Shorebased – 40 hours plus exam time (normally 5 days)

  • Coastal Skipper / Yachtmaster Shorebased – 40 hours plus exam time (normally 6 days, due to additional exams)

  • Radar Course – 1 day

Hours:
Unless otherwise stated on your booking confirmation, courses run daily from 0930 – 1730

Exams:
Where applicable, exams will be set at a time chosen by your instructor. All papers are marked by the instructor, who will provide you with feedback.

Certificates:
On successful completion of the course and exams, you will be awarded a course completion certificate. The training centre will retain a record of your certificate for seven years.

âš“ Please bring a laptop or tablet if you are attending the Day Skipper or Yachtmaster courses.

Once you have purchased your RYA Online course, which is hosted on the RYA’s Interactive learning platform, you will receive an email with your login details within 24 hours of purchase. These details will allow you to access and begin working through your course.

If you have any questions regarding your RYA online course, please use the contact email provided in the same message that contains your login information.

On completion of your course, your certificate of completion can be downloaded directly from the RYA Interactive system. Please note: this does not apply to the Essential Navigation & Seamanship (Online) course — your certificate for this course will be sent to you by post.

âš“ Important: If you are enrolled on the RYA Online VHF SRC course, you must contact us after completing the course to arrange your VHF SRC exam.

These joining instructions apply to the following online courses:

  • RYA Professional Practices & Responsibilities (PPR)

  • RYA Safe and Fun

  • RYA VHF SRC

  • RYA Essential Navigation & Seamanship (Online)

  • RYA CEVNI (Online)

For the Sailing Courses Online online courses, you will receive joining instructions directly from the course provider.

âś… Pre-Course Checklist

Preparation

  • â›˝ Fill up fuel, water, oil, and gas before your instructor arrives.

  • đź›’ Complete food shopping in advance (you provide meals for the instructor).

  • 🚤 Ensure your boat is ready and seaworthy.

Costs & Accommodation

  • đź’ł You are responsible for fuel and berthing fees (36’ motor yacht: approx. ÂŁ20–£45/night).

  • 🛏️ Provide your instructor with a berth onboard or accommodation ashore.

Training & Certificates

  • đź“– Bring your logbook if you’d like your course recorded.

  • 🎓 Certificates for RYA courses are awarded at the discretion of the instructor and Principal.

  • đź“ť A full debrief will be given at the end of training.

Weather

  • 🌦️ Training usually continues in rain, fog, or strong winds.

  • đźš« If conditions are unsafe, the instructor’s decision is final.

  • 🔄 Postponements may be arranged for extreme weather if agreed 24 hrs before instructor travels.

Safety & Insurance

  • 🛟 Ensure your vessel is fully equipped for its operating area.

  • đź“‘ Confirm with your insurer that training is covered (ask for a “training indemnity”).

  • ⚠️ Instructor is a guest onboard, not the skipper — you remain in command.

Trailered Boats / PWCs

  • đźš— Arrive with boat/PWC on trailer, hitched to your vehicle.

  • 🛠️ Instructor will give launching & towing tips (but won’t drive your vehicle).

  • đź”’ Bring a trailer lock and change for slipway/parking fees.

Motor Cruising Courses – These courses are ran from Mercury Yacht Harbour

Powerboat Courses – These are ran from our Deacons Marina office 

Own Boat Tuition – These are ran worldwide, we come to you

Parking

There is plenty of free parking available at the marina. Please use the first car park, and only park beyond the barrier if no spaces are available there

wet weather gear

If you don’t have your own, don’t worry — we have wet weather gear available to hire for just £5 per day.

icc application

With your Powerboat Level 2 certificate, you can apply for an ICC (International Certificate of Competence) for boats under 10m. If you hold an RYA Day Skipper certificate, you can apply for an ICC covering vessels over 10m.

To apply, you’ll need:

  • A passport-sized photo

  • A copy of your passport

  • A copy of your driving licence

What to eat

We do not provide lunch for any courses. Please bring a packed lunch or feel free to visit the lovely cafe on site. During Yachtmaster exams, food will be provided.

Medical

You’ll have filled out a waiver when you booked. If anything has changed since then, just let the office know and we’ll make sure your instructor is updated.

What to wear

The weather can be unpredictable, so bring layered clothing that is quick-drying and easy to change if conditions turn wet. Onboard, please wear deck shoes or soft-soled boots — heavy work boots can damage the decks, and flip-flops are not suitable for safety reasons.

We will provide you with a serviced lifejacket for the duration of your course

passport photographs

For the following courses, you will need to provide a passport-sized photograph. Without this, we are unable to issue your licence:

  • RYA Powerboat Level 2

  • RYA Day Skipper Motor

  • RYA Coastal Skipper Motor

  • RYA VHF

Exam fee

lease note: Course fees do not include RYA exam fees for VHF, Advanced Powerboat, or Yachtmaster Coastal/Offshore. These are payable directly to the RYA, and your instructor will be on hand to guide you through the process if needed.