A holder of a Motor Boat Handling Certificate has completed a course and passed an exam in the safe and

proper use of motor boats and ancillary equipment, with particular emphasis on the use of such boats by divers.

The syllabus looks at the present system of training our Boat Handlers or Cox'ns with a view to improving

the method of training, raising standards and hopefully reducing the percentage of boat handling incidents.

The Cox'ns should be trained prior to using the boat rather than doing the course and examination

together. Some form of training is necessary prior to filling out a Boat Handling Log. Irrespective of

previous training, this log should be diving related.

The responsibility of the Cox'n and the role played by him or her with the boat in a dive plan must be

clearly outlined, particularly in the event of an emergency. The sequence of the syllabus is outlined as

follows:

1. Introduce the boat to the Cox'n at an early stage, i.e. snorkel diver standard or interested non-diver

(minimum age 16 years). The potiential Cox?n must attend a course designed to teach the various basics

of boat handling with an examination at the end. Throughout the course the Cox?n will learn the basic

theory and practical aspects of boat handling from qualified instructors.

2. Having completed the course the Cox?n must keep a log of their diving related boat handling as an

Assistant Cox'n. The log is designed to ensure they do not just log hours but encounter various

conditions to test and improve their skills, knowledge and confidence.

3. Once the log has been completed he or she can go forward for the diver Cox'n examination within a

period of 2 years.

4. The test will consist of an oral examination on theory as outlined in the syllabus and two practical boat

handling tests.

BOAT HANDLING COURSE

INTRODUCTION:

In recent years the use of small boats has played a central role in the type of diving done by most divers in

Ireland. It is therefore essential that divers at an early stage in their development acquire a good level of

knowledge and skill in the use and limitations of small boats for diving.

AIMS:

The aims of this course are to provide the basic knowledge and skill necessary to handle small power boats

safely and correctly.

ORGANISATION AND INSTRUCTION:

This course will be organised by the R.D.O. and the course organiser must be qualified to at least Instructor

* (Moniteur*). The candidates will be at least 16 years of age and must have the consent of their Diving

Officer to attend the course. Those assisting the course organiser should be qualified to Diver Cox'n

standard. Boat Handling courses may be organised by individual clubs provided the R.D.O. is notified in

advance with the following information.

- A written programme outlining the course dates and venue

- Instructors names and designated lecture topic

- A list of candidates by name and C.F.T. number

- The C.F.T. approved fee.

On receipt of this information, the R.D.O. will agree a Course organiser with the club concerned and

between them the paperwork will be completed.

Attendance:

Full attendance at all theory and practical sessions are required to successfully complete the course.

NOTE

- unless attendance is 100%, certification cannot be granted.
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COURSE CONTENT AND SCHEDULE

PART 1 - THEORY LECTURES:

INTRODUCTION:

The course should be planned to provide for covering the theoretical aspects of the course contained

hereafter. This should be completed before the practical exercises are undertaken.

These classroom sessions may be completed in a series of evening classes or on one day of a weekend

course or however the course organiser sees fit.

Lecture No. 1 - The Boat and its Equipment: M2/S1/L1

Types of Craft

Seaworthiness

Ancillary and Safety Equipment

Care and Maintenance of the Boat and its Equipment

Boat Trailers

30 mins.
Lecture No. 2 - Responsibilities of the Owner/Cox'n: M2/S1/L2

Insurance

Towing and the Law

Lighting Regulations

Harbour and Local Authority Bye-laws

Customs of the Sea

Salvage Laws

30 mins.
Lecture No. 3 - Emergency Situations ( Part 1 ): M2/S1/L3

Basic First Aid

Man Overboard

Towing at Sea

Fire at Sea

Craft Capsizing

Rescue Agencies

Disabled Craft

30 mins.
Lecture No. 4 - Seamanship: M2/S2/L1

Use of Compass at Sea

Using Transits at Sea

30 mins.
Lecture No. 5 - Emergency Situations ( Part 2 ): M2/S2/L2

Use of V.H.F. Radio.

Distress Signals

Flares

30 mins.
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Lecture No. 6 - Pre-Launch Planning: M2/S2/L3

Weather

Tides

Charts and Chartwork

Informing Shore Marshal

Boat Equipment Check List

30 mins.
Lecture No. 7 - The Boat at Sea: M2/S3/L1

Launching/Landing/Coming Alongside

Turning/Stopping

Picking up Divers

High Speed/Rough Weather Handling

30 mins.
PART 2 - PRACTICAL LECTURES:

INTRODUCTION:

As the aim of the course is to provide an introduction to boat handling, the candidate should spend as

much time as possible actually handling the boat and putting the craft through the exercises.

Lecture No. 8 - Outboard Engines: M2/S3/L2

Types of engines

Controls

Safety devices

Fuel system/lubrication

Cooling system

Care and maintenance

30 mins.
Lecture No. 9- Practical Seamanship: M2/S3/L3

Anchors & Anchoring + Sea Anchor

Ropes/Shot Lines/Lazy Lines (use of)

Some Basic Knot Tying

Once the candidate has completed the course to the satisfaction of the R.D.O., they are now qualified

as an

Assistant Cox'ns must now complete a record of their boat handling experiences, known as a

Handling Log

30 mins.Assistant Cox'n.Boat.
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BOAT HANDLING LOG

REQUIREMENTS:

Entries should only be made in the log after you have successfully completed the Cox'n course.

All entries must be made during boat diving operations only.

DATE DETAILS LOCATION D.O. SIG.

Assisted Cox'n (1 hour)

Assisted Cox'n (1 hour)

Assisted Cox'n (1 hour)

Assisted Cox'n (1 hour)

Rough Weather Handling

Rough Weather Handling

River Current/Tidal Drift

River Current/Tidal Drift

Covering Divers

Covering Divers

High Speed Handling

High Speed Handling

Congested Area Handling

Congested Area Handling

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DIVER COX'N EXAMINATION

INTRODUCTION:

During this examination the candidate will be expected to demonstrate that he/she has acquired the

knowledge and the ability to plan and prepare a small boat for open sea diving.

The candidate must be able to handle his/her boat and crew to provide safe and reliable cover for

divers in the water and, in the event of an emergency, be capable of dealing with the situation.

PREREQUISITES:

1. Be at least 16 years of age.

2. Have completed the Cox'n course within a 2 year period.

3. Have completed the Boat Handling Log.

4. Have the written permission of his/her Diving Officer to undertake the examination.

5. Have current C.F.T. membership card.

ORGANISATION:

When the club Diving Officer deems a person eligible to do the examination, the Regional Diving

Officer should be contacted who will agree a location and date for the examination. The Regional

Diving Officer then arranges for an Examiner from another club and at least Instructor ** (Moniteur

**) grade to do the assessment

Only one candidate per boat trip may be assessed.

EXAMINATION DETAILS:

The examination will consist of three parts:

1. An actual Club Dive

The Diver Cox?n will be expected to take full responsibility for the launching, operation, control and

recovery of the dive boat during a normal diving day, together with the drop off, cover and pick up

of divers in usual diving weather.

2. Practical Skills Section

The Diver Cox?n must demonstrate the ability to operate the boat in the confines of a

harbour/sheltered area. The effective handling of emergency situations must be exhibited.

3. Theory

This part will include chart work, ropes/knots and theory, as per the Boat Handling Course.

ALL THREE PARTS MUST BE PASSED IN ORDER TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN THIS EXAMINATION.