Island Life Magazine Ltd August/September 2010 | Page 78

on the water

Island Life - August/September 2010

cruising the Solent, but as the courses

also a commercial training centre, and

a wide range of essential skills so that

progress you learn how to leave

undertakes instructor courses.

they can handle there boat in varying

harbours at night, and continue to gain

He points out that most insurance

weather conditions, make sure they can

knowledge through more advanced

companies these days require evidence

anchor it properly and assist in Man

courses to do short coastal passages by

of some sort of basic qualification.

Over Board situations.

day or night, in unfamiliar water such

Training is almost your own insurance

as going across the English Channel or

policy – avoiding accidents is better

navigation and entering of ports safely

to the West Country or London.

than paying for them.

included. Boaters are also offered

“The RYA courses are very progressive

Tim smiled; “Normally it’s the wife

Such factors such as safety equipment,

the facility of intermediate, advanced

and structured from jet skis to motor

who books the husband on the course

powerboat and even instructor and

cruisers and from helmsman to yacht

because she is petrified every time he

advanced instructor powerboat courses.

master,” says Tim. “A lot of other

leaves the pontoon. Sometimes this

Clearly courses are well worth the

countries copy the RYA, which is

job is like being an instructor and a

outlay, with Tim saying: “The Solent

recognised worldwide.”

marriage guidance councillor.”

is a bit like the M25, so if you can

Tim, who grew up in Sandown, set

But Tim’s expertise does not end

handle a boat there you can handle one

up his company in 2003, but prior to

there. He also offers courses at Level 1

anywhere. We have everything here

that had been teaching various aspects

and 2 Stage for powerboats the latter

that you would ever expect to come

since 1987. Unique to the Island is

generally accepted as a driving licence

across.”

the fact that Griffin Marine Services is

of the sea. It provides boat users with

Clearly the idea of boating is that

Photos: Top - Tim pictured at
the recent Jet Ski Open Day
at Cowes
Right: Tim on-board his 8mt
Solent RIB with a student.
Page 79: Tim pictured with a
student doing chart work and
explaining the importance of
safety equipment required on
board.
78

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