BOATING WORLD CLIENTS GET TOP SKIPPER QUALIFICATIONS WITH ANCHOR POWER BOAT ASSOCIATION
23 Aug 2013
Acquiring a big boat skipper’s license became a family affair recently when Riviera 43 owners and their two sons Gareth and Devlin decided to complete undergo their Over 9m training together.
Craig Oostingh from Boating World’s Durban office accompanied them to Richards Bay where they joined five other excited sea goers looking to qualify.
Although already a seasoned boater with years of fishing his under the belt, Craig used the opportunity as a useful refresher and to brush up on his chart work - while aiming for his Category B license (vessels operating more than 15 but not more than 40 nautical miles from shore).
Instructors Digby and Steve from Anchor Power Boat Association did a sterling job teaching the group the intricacies of handling large craft at sea and ensuring they grasped every important detail during their informative lectures followed by written exams.
Long-time Boating World friend and client Costa Georgiou graciously offered his gorgeous Riviera 41 for the practical training which took place on in the beautiful waters of Tuzi Gaza Marina.
Learning to successfully manouevre this 45-footer, among the luxurious craft which line the jetties, proved no mean feat but the group’s hard work paid off and before long they were reasonably adept at negotiating any challenges.
Needless to say there were several anxious moments accompanied by some nervous laughter especially during the all important stage of safely mooring the boat.
The intensive training soon caught up with the group who went home exhausted each day. Relaxing over a meal with refreshing beverages in one of the nearby waterside restaurants proved a priority, though simply collapsing into bed in a neighboring B & B was another popular choice.
