Update May 2022 – the long road

The period at the latter stages of 2021 and into Q1 2022 has been our most challenging in terms of Covid and we have had a fair few instructors afflicted with Covid – thankfully all have recovered well. We have generally managed to juggle instructors so not affecting courses but occasionally that does happen – please accept our apologies if that does happen to you. Pretty much all of our courses are running normally but there are some courses where we insist on an a higher level of protection and may ask you to take LFT tests. This is because some instructors may have relatives or family members needing a higher degree of protection so it is right to do so. As ever we will keep our position updated and any feedback you have is always appreciated.

Paul & Viv & ‘the team’

Update Mar 2022 – challenging!

We like pretty much every business continue to face challenges from covid and how it impacts our business and therefore the service we provide our clients. In the first two years of covid we suspect our little part of Dorset/Hampshire got off quite lightly but in the first few months of this year we have been repeatedly affected by our own staff/instructors succumbing and clients too so we apologise if this ever affects the service that you receive from us. We try really hard not to cancel courses and work hard in the background to juggle who we have teaching where but occasionally cancelled courses are inevitable for which we are sorry.

In terms of courses then almost all are running with no restrictions in line with government guidance. However where our instructors or clients request that we adopt a higher degree of protection (eg masks and/or lateral flow tests) then we will seek to accommodate that and ask that others attending courses follow suit. We have been massively enthused by the very positive reaction this has received from our clients which reflects the nature of people we train – thank you. As ever we will keep our position updated and any feedback you have is always appreciated.

Paul & Viv & ‘the team’

Update October 2021 – finger’s crossed!

We are running pretty much normally although remaining super careful. Some courses have amended training ratios but on water training is as pre-covid. It remains the case that we don’t want people to attend with any symptoms.

Paul & Viv & ‘the team’

Update 19th July 2021 – A new beginning

So lockdown has eased and we need to find a balanced way to make the new normal work and keep our students, instructors and office team safe. From the 19th July we’ll no longer require facecoverings to be worn except where our instructors are working very closely with you – for example explaining a theory point on a chart very close to you. We will continue to try to undertake as much of the theory aspects of courses as we can outside and we have dedicated areas in each of our marinas to do this. We would ask that if you are unwell or of course have tested positive or are isolating then please do not attend a course with us and please call/email to discuss rebooking with us. Let’s hope that we have a great and healthy summer 🙂

Paul & Viv & ‘the team’

Update 19th May 2021 – And they’re offffffffff….

As lockdown continues to ease then so too the slow route to normality follows. With the exception of some indoor training we are pretty much back to normal training wise so please do drop us an email and talk training or simply book your course via this website. Summer 2021 looks like it will be mega busy so please if you are looking at courses we suggest you get booked in sooner rather than later. 🙂

Paul & Viv & ‘the team’

Update 8th March 2021 – Ready, steady, go!!….

Our take on the recent roadmap is that with the ‘rule of 6’ coming back from the 29th March then we will be able to recommence training from that date. This is subject to approval but we’re pretty sure this will be the route forward. All training will be outdoors and we have outside (covered) training facilities to allow this.

See you soon!

Paul & Viv & ‘the team’

Update 27th Feb 2021 Lockdown 3.0 is ending….

Thankfully things seem to be heading in the right direction and we are moving towards being able to train leisure users again. Whilst as ever things are subject to change we interpret the new rules as follows:

29th March: We start back training for on water courses. The rule of 6 applies outside and we will make the most of training outside and also using the new gazebo that Cobbs Quay Marina have kindly let us temporally install in the marina.

12th May: Assuming things progress well then we’ll be able to run classroom based courses from this date. These will initially be run at larger classrooms than we have at Cobbs Quay to ensure social distancing but we figure we’ll be able to use our own classrooms from later in June.

For commercial and military users other options may be available before these dates including classroom courses.

All in all – good news!

Paul & Viv & the team

Update 5th Jan 2021 Lockdown 3.0!

This page on our website will be one that we happen upon in the years to come when Covid is behind us and we’ll read it and reflect what a strange 12 months it has been. We, like all other schools, have had to shut our doors to afloat and face to face training and we are more than happy to do so. Whilst there are always ways round rules and regulations we are not happy trying to do that so won’t. If though you are a commercial user we will be able to train you so please call to discuss.

As we found in the first major lockdown there is plenty to keep us all amused in a boat sense so check out our quizzes and ‘How to…’ articles and we’ll see you the other side 🙂

Update 1st Nov 2020 Lockdown 2.0!

Sadly we are about to enter the second lockdown of 2020. Most importantly, as ever, is the health and wellbeing of you, our clients, our instructors and of course our families. Therefore whilst we know times will be tough for all we have postponed all courses through to the start of December. We will consider requests for training from ‘key worker’ groups on a case by case basis – eg military, police, law enforcement and commercial users so if you fall into this category call us to discuss your training needs. We wish you all well and we’ll see you on the ‘other side’.

Update 23rd September – The rule of six…….

As we are all aware the UK is sadly on the cusp of a second wave. So how does this affect what we do? Basically it doesn’t have any affect for the following reasons: 1) We are still okay to train according to the rules in place assuming we operate a Covid secure environment – which we do. 2) We are proud of the assertive way that we implemented measures from the outset and whilst we were pretty much the only school in Poole/Lymington insisting everyone wore facecoverings on our boats then we are pleased to see more schools adopting this policy now. We are reiterating to our instructors and support the team the need for all of the measures we all understand to continue to be implemented (cleaning, sanitiser, hand washing etc) and will continue to do everything to keep you and our team safe – we look forward to welcoming you to our school.

Update 4th July – Ready, steady. go…….

So training has restarted and we are delighted to be back on the water. Of course as you would expect there are some limitations which are explained below.

In terms of our approach as a business we have always had a complete focus on safety and we make no apologies for continuing that now with the safety of our instructors, office team and of course you being paramount.

Training you on your boats, or ours, will inevitably mean that we are operating below 2m separation. Of course a mitigation to that is that we are outside in the fresh air however as an additional mitigation we are insisting on facecoverings for both you and our instructors – we provide PTUK branded facecoverings free to all students. Wearing these seems a small price to pay for the possible benefits that we will all experience so we hope that you agree that it’s the right approach. In fact if you don’t, then a school with a less direct focus on your safety may better suit you.

As a reminder our approach is:

  • PTUK ‘Buffs’ (facecoverings) free on all courses
  • Big RIBs to maintain social distancing whilst being a great training experience too
  • Sanitising products on the boats and all of the kit that is allocated to you
  • A very regular cleaning program in our own classrooms and on the boats

With regards to classroom courses we are looking to restart these again with suitable separation and mitigations in place – see our course schedules for dates.

We look forward to seeing you all afloat

Viv, Paul & the Team.

Message from 1st June

Things have moved so quickly in such a short period of time that it’s amazing to read the earlier statement which was only 8 weeks ago. Lockdown is easing and training will start soon so we want to let you know how we are going to keep people safe and when training is re-starting. So where are we? We plan on being back training during the latter stages of June into early July. Of course this is subject to such training being acceptable according to the rules and advice around at that stage. Keyworkers or other essential workers that need boating qualifications will be considered on a case by case basis before then.

In terms of bookings we are taking bookings on the basis that it’s possible they will be deferred but we will cross that particular bridge as we get to it. We have dates booked during July onwards.

In terms of what we are doing to keep you and us safe:

  • PTUK ‘Buffs’ (facecoverings) free on all courses
  • Big RIBs to maintain social distancing whilst being a great training experience too
  • Sanitising products on the boats and all of the kit that is allocated to you
  • A very regular cleaning program in our own classrooms and on the boats

It goes without saying that we don’t want you to attend a course if you are feeling unwell and we’ll move you to another date or refund according to what you want to do.

To chat through courses call Viv on 01202 686666, pop in to our Offices at Cobbs Quay or email office@powerboattrainguk.co.uk

Message from early April

In one way, shape or form Viv and I here at Powerboat Training UK/Aquasafe have been running businesses for over 30 years. In 2001 I stood in an office in London watching the shocking events in America unfold and then we fought through the highly challenging market that followed. A few years later we experienced the terrible events of 7/7 literally a stones throw from our offices and then in 2008, now running PTUK, we again fought through highly challenging market conditions to emerge the other side as a more robust and resilient business. None of these events in any way compare to the challenges the present terrible situation facing our country and our world is experiencing. Businesses in all sectors are facing an uncertain future and are having to adapt minute by minute to changing rules and procedures. The purpose of this post is that we wanted to take this opportunity to communicate what we are doing.

The most important thing is the safety of you – our customers, our friends, our instructors and all of their and our families. We are obviously paying close attention to what the Government and Royal Yachting Association is advising businesses and individuals to do and will abide by their recommendations so to this end classroom/afloat courses are presently suspended. Online courses are of course still running.

Thanks, Paul, Viv and the PTUK/Aquasafe Team