Frequently Asked Questions

  • The courses offered at SeaRegs vary. With this in mind it is impossible to provide an all inclusive list of items to bring. It is recommended that all students read the joining instructions issued to them after booking the course.

    If you still have a question, then please do give our team a call.

  • If you have chosen the online course then you do not need to do this. However if you have chosen to complete a classroom course, then yes, you do need to complete it, as we do not have enough time during the course to help you learn abbreviations etc.

    It’s better to view this as a way of improving your knowledge prior to the course, so that you get the maximum benefit from the time with your instructor.

  • A number of our courses require a passport sized photograph for the qualification. Your course information pack will let you know if you require one.

  • Yes! It helps to know who you are! Data off the booking form is used in the certification process, so please take care to complete it accurately.

    SeaRegs are compliant with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) & the Information Commissioner's Office.

    Our team will issue you with the form once booked on to a course.

  • Sea Survival is not a swimming lesson, we’re looking to make this as realistic as possible. That means you’ll need to ensure you have a full set of clothing to wear in the pool, ideally that will also include waterproof clothing. However we have a selection of outer clothing to wear for the course.

  • We have a good selection of clothing to suit a variety of weather conditions and temperatures. We may be limited in very small, or extra large sizes, but please do call us to discuss.

  • Weather on courses: When training on our vessels, we are always subject to environmental conditions. Some courses can be more affected than others. We are subject to the vagaries of British weather. On any given week or weekend, we can have no wind, too much wind, fog, too much sun, snow - sometimes they all happen on the same day….

    Sailing courses: On sailing courses wind is the key issue. Therefore there is a rare chance that you may not sail every day. If we can sail safely, we will. In high winds, luckily, We operate in very sheltered harbours from most wind directions, therefore we can often get to shelter and then sail in those areas within our very large harbour and rivers. Please also bear in mind that if we cannot sail, we will cover theory subjects as all RYA practical courses still have approximately 30% theory in the course which we normally break up into chunks throughout the week/weekend, but we may save them for the windy/no wind/foggy times. 

    Powerboat courses: These are less affected by conditions, as the area of operation is smaller and we can if required run most of the course in the shelter of the river/loch. Once again and certainly on Powerboat level 2 courses, there is a large theory element. Normally we divide the theory elements up into sessions in the morning, after lunch and end of the day - so six sessions over two days - but in poor weather we may group them together to hide from the worst weather etc. 

    Motorboat courses: These are even less affected by weather as we have shelter and can concentrate on boat handling and electronics. We can also take advantage of small weather windows to get to more shelter. However, in poor weather, we will cover theory subjects as all RYA practical courses still have approximately 30% theory in the course which we normally break up into chunks throughout the week, but we may save them for the windy or foggy times. 

    In extremes: There are also those weekends or weeks when the weather is simply diabolical and we get a week of Force 9-10’s when we may just call and stop the course, usually beforehand if it is well forecast. More often than not we get a day or so of poor weather and work around it. 

    All courses: On all courses our aim is to complete the course in the safest way possible, covering all the theory and practical elements. We are not able to guarantee courses will have practical sessions on every day as we will work around the weather forecast

  • Plymouth

    Plymouth no longer has its own airport, the nearest is Exeter however Bristol and London are other options.

    There is a new direct coach service from Bristol Airport to Plymouth costing just £25 return, coaches leave the airport once an hour through the day and less frequently through the night. The Falcon coaches are equipped with Air Conditioning, Wifi and charging sockets. Advanced booking of a specific time and day costs as little as £1.50. Click for full details of the coach service.

    London Heathrow has a frequent train service to London Paddington station, where there is a direct train service to Plymouth.

    Greenock

    Glasgow International is only a 20 minute car journey away from our centre. Glasgow Prestwick airport is about a 1 hour drive.

    Kinlochleven

    Glasgow International airport is about a 2 hour drive. Bus services are available too. There is also a train service that can take you to Fort William.

    Inverness airport is just over a 2 hour drive away as an alternative option.

  • The MCA have asked us to check photo ID at the start of any STCW courses, and the RYA have now requested this for CoC exams to make sure you really are you and you haven’t sent someone else to do the training for you, acceptable ID is either a Passport or driving licence.