The Little Ship Clubs commitment to training dates back more than 70 years when it pioneered systematic instruction in small craft navigation and seamanship to Royal Naval Supplementary Volunteer Reserve officers during the run up to the second world war.

The Club is a RYA (Royal Yachting Association) recognised training centre and delivers all the RYAs shorebased navigation and seamanship courses in the comfort of its Bell Wharf Lane Clubhouse.

In addition the Club provides the RYA one-day courses for Marine Short Range Radio, First Aid, Radar and Diesel Engine Maintenance at the Club.

The Sea Survival course can be arranged through the Club with KTY Yachts on preferential terms.

To see an overview of the RYA Training Scheme click here and an overview of the RYA/MCA Certificates of Competence can be seen here

The Club is also able to arrange an examination for the International Certificate of Competence (ICC) with CEVNI (Code Europeen des Voise de Navigation Interieure) endorsement.

Each shorebased course is led by an RYA qualified Instructor who is also a committed volunteer club member. The navigation and seamanship courses are delivered by two instructors, thereby ensuring unrivalled instructor/student contact time.  Successful students are presented with their certificates at the Clubs Training Supper when we are often honoured to welcome an official of the RYA as guest speaker.

In addition to the formal Shorebased Courses the Club arranges two rallies each season aimed specifically at our trainee members enabling them to use the skills learned in the classroom on the water.

Experience on the water is an essential component of progress through the RYA training scheme and contributes enormously to the individual members enjoyment of our sport. The Club is able to offer its members access to crewing opportunities via our Skippers & Crew Register, thereby enabling practical experience to be gained and facilitating progress through the scheme at the pace preferred by the Member.

The Club also organises many Rallies on the south and east coast of the UK and overseas, thereby offering members wishing to skipper the opportunity of cruising in company with more experienced yachtsmen and women whilst exploring new territories and those preferring to crew the opportunity of mile building in varied waters. A current list of events can be seen by clicking here

Training is only available to Members. However new members are very welcome, for details of how to apply click here