Boat Safety and Training

Boat Safety and Training

Find a training course near you or view our guides and videos on boat safety.

Boating Safety

A series of simple guides to keep yourself and others safe when using the waterways.

Download the BOATERS HANDBOOK produced together with the Environment Agency and Canal and River Trust.

Boating Safety (Non Tidal) – watch these FILMS on our YouTube channel.

Boating Safety (Tidal) – if you are heading for London which is tidal, visit this PLA website to check out boat safety, events and facilities.

Thames Boat House Training Boat Safety

Tuition – Practical Boat Handling

When you buy a boat from Thames Boat House (Walton Marine), we take special care to make sure that you feel comfortable handling your new boat. Whether you are a first time buyer or an experienced skipper we can provide you with all the boat handling tuition and advice that you and/or your crew may need.   As you become more practised at handling your boat we are there to answer any questions that arise. Also as you wish to venture further afield we can point you in the right direction if you want to do practical or theory courses in navigation and seamanship.

If you want to join a Cruising Club, then we can also point you in the right direction locally.   This is an ideal way of learning the ropes and having fun with experienced boating people who want to help and encourage you to spread your wings.

Training - Getting qualified

Everyone in the company (including the MD and office junior) has undertaken the Inland Waterways Helmsman’s qualification and anyone responsible for demonstrations is trained to the appropriate RYA Powerboat qualification.   We have teamed up with several training partners to help you to become more experienced and obtain qualifications.   These partners have been tried and tested by our own staff, who are very experienced and already qualified to the relevant RYA standard depending upon their job.

Because we enjoy going boating ourselves, many of us have continued on to qualify as RYA Skippers or Yachtmasters – we recommend you do the same.

Enjoy learning and being good at what you love doing – it’s safer and more fun.

Try any of these recommended training establishments based on the River Thames or find a RYA training centre near you:

Thames Boat House getting qualified Waterways Helmsman’s qualification