We're back!!  - Great British RIB Rally hits Portland
June 2010.

Paul had a fun and incident packed trip around the UK and is now back in Poole. Read the write up of Paul's trip around the UK and see the photos - here

We're off!!  - Great British RIB Rally heads off
June 2010.

Follow our progress round the UK and Ireland by clicking the image above.

Round Britain in a RIB - for charity!!
June 2010.

Please support the great children at the Victoria Education College in Poole

www.justgiving.com/gbribrally-sparkleappeal

Read about it here

www.greatbritishribrally.co.uk

www.ribevolution.com/

Track us!!!!!!!!!!!!!

HERE

After two years of discussion the trip is almost upon us. Having just returned from 6 weeks away training overseas Paul is off on the trip of a lifetime in a 9.25m RIB round Britain. Paul is going with a friend Andrew and they have chosen the Sparkle Appeal Charity in Poole to support with the aim of raising £10,000 for their appeal. We hope that you have the time to check out their website and perhaps even consider supporting them.

New RYA Boss visits Powerboat Training UK
March 2010.

Sarah Treseder is the new CEO at the RYA and decided to visit us here in Poole to experience first hand  a larger commercial centre. Spending a full day afloat with Paul it was an opportunity to spend time on Harrier (our 7.8m Ribcraft) getting a feel for the contents of a Level 2 course plus of course chatting over some thoughts and ideas from our school and Instructors. Visiting with John Thorn (Acting Chief Powerboat Instructor at the RYA) Sarah also spent time getting to grips with the marina's jet drive RIB (above) and chatting to some of our clients that were being trained the day she was with us. A productive and enjoyable day we wish Sarah well in her new role and look forward to getting her back for some personal watercraft training soon!

Annual PTUK Instructor day
March 2010.

Each year we get our Instructor team together for a training day. This day supplements the regular meetings and sessions that occur throughout the year and is split into a half day classroom update addressing a variety of subjects and a half day afloat.

In the afternoon we split the group in two with one group spending time undertaking some special boat handling with Top Hat and Harrier whilst the second group used Jumbo to undertake PTUK's version of the Honda Youth RIB Challenge. Get 16 instructors together and you are sure of seeing some real competitive spirit and everyone had a great time racing Jumbo around a tight twisting course. The detailed results are still protected under the '30 year rule' but well done to Adam Wilson for winning (just!!) - i woz robbed.

Paul interviewed for RYA Website
February 2010.

Back in January Paul was invited by the RYA to take part in a series of author interviews to promote the variety of books the RYA offers. To view the video you will need to log in to the RYA website then search for 'glatzel' www.rya.org.uk

First of new PTUK Manuals
January 2010.

We've just uploaded what will become the first of a few simple manuals to support some of our courses. The VHF manual is free to download and acts as a handy reminder for the key things covered on your VHF course. Download it - here

New quiz launches!!
January 2010.

Plenty of time over  the Christmas break and during the really cold weather has been spent creating our new Powerboat Level 2 quiz. Comprising 30 questions the quiz is aimed at those who have just taken their Level 2 and want to brush up on what was covered.  It's not just for those who've done Level 2 though, so anyone that wants a fun 10 minutes should give it a try. Over the next few months we'll be launching a few other quizzes and will let you know - keep an eye out for them.

Chasing the snow!
January 2010.

The first course of the year is always memorable and this year was no exception. A Yachtmaster exam preparation course in a Botnia Targa was a great way to start the year and with the whole country (except Poole) covered in snow we went hunting it out.  A passage to Lymington created a great test particularly when the snow set in to combine with some lively conditions. Entering a pub in Lymington we gained a certain amount of 'street cred' having come over from Poole when no-one else seemed to be out to promptly lose it to two Royal Marine RIBs that pitched up on the pontoon having undertaken the same passage but without the benefit of a wheelhouse and heating!

Where was your Christmas card?
December 2009.

We figure that you've all probably got more than enough Christmas Cards and won't really notice if we don't send you one this year whereas the kids at the Victoria Centre will benefit from the £200 we intend donating in lieu of the cost of sending cards.

We already support a number of charities in various ways (eg:  The National Trust, RNLI,  Anthony Nolan Trust, Maritime Volunteer Service, The Friends of Dolphin and a few more) but we intend supporting The Sparkle Appeal as our primary charity. We are lucky to work and live in stunning place and feel that we've been lucky in life so far so anything we can do help kids who are having it a bit tough is definitely the right thing to do.

We'd love it if any of our friends/clients and visitors to our site choose to support this appeal too - www.sparkleappealdorset.org

Paul, Viv, Hannah, Sam and the team at PTUK

Website updates
December 2009.

Over the Christmas period we've been updating the website and (hopefully) making it even more beneficial for those that visit. The areas that we've worked on include: A new home page to make it even easier to find the parts of the website that you are looking for; massively expanded sections on the main courses that we run (eg Level 2, VHF and a number of others) and creation of simple documents (like above) to make the RYA schemes even easier to understand.

Keep visiting though as we've a few really good developments in store for the next few weeks.

Wow - where has the year gone?!?
November 2009.

It is incredible that we're in November already - where has the year gone? As you can tell that time of year has arrived where we update the website and do all those other jobs that we have been putting to one side. We've got a few good ideas in store for the website this winter so keep your eyes on it. 2010 dates are now largely scheduled so check out the calendar for next years dates. We're still busy training though so if you are keen on a boating fix this winter just give us a call.

New RYA Powerboat Handbook is now out!
May 2009.

Paul was asked in 2008 by the RYA   to update the book which he first wrote in 2003/4. With a host of new images and photos and an improved section on night navigation the book is already receiving some really good reviews.

A great spring ~ the Pelicans are out!
April 2009.

What a great spring we are having. Cobbs Quay is really busy and our hire boats have been out lots too. Whether you have your own boat or not they are a great way to get afloat - www.pooleboathire.co.uk

What a spring tide
March 2009.

In March we were invited to Jersey to run a Powerboat Instructors course at St Catherine's Sailing Club for 6 of their members. Our visit coincided with some of the largest spring tides seen in many years. On one of the days of the course the range of tide was 10.5m!!  In two hours the tide dropped by 18ft - given that the seabed is largely some nasty rocks it tends to focus the mind on getting the tide right.

A wonderful winter!
February 2009.

One of the coldest winters in recent times certainly made for a quieter January than we all had hoped for. That said we were able to get stuck into all those jobs that had lain around for a while and despite the snow we actually did lots of outside work cleaning, fixing and delivering boats. There were a good few people training though and the snow provided a wonderful backdrop to the harbour. 

St Marteen, Dutch Antilles

Typically though Paul managed to jet off to the Caribbean to run a variety of powerboat, personal watercraft and Instructor courses and has then gone off to Miami and Germany to do a few more. Those of us manning the office are wondering what we need to do to get an invite!!

We're going Round Britain!
January 2009.

Today we were delighted to confirm that Paul will be joining one of the teams going round Britain in 2010.

Click the logo to visit the website

The Rally (not a race) is unusual as most circumnavigations (the 2008 Round Britain Race included) don't go round the outside of Ireland and the top of Scotland whereas this event will. Paul will be in a brand new 9.25m Scorpion sporting a 315Hp Yanmar for what will be a great event. As the website shows it will take 12 days or so to get round with about 200 miles to travel each day - not for  the feint hearted!

New video section on the website
November 2008.

Over the years we have come across loads of great boating videos. Check out our new video section. Here

Hannah G does us proud in National Honda RYA RIB Championships ~ 3rd Nationally & Top Girl!
October 2008.

Click the image to visit the RYA Honda Youth website

Hannah has grown up within the school and around boats and started her training by completing Level 1 a few years ago. Last year she was entered by her club ~ Parkstone Yacht Club ~ into the Honda RYA Youth RIB Championship and did really well by becoming Southern Area U12 champion and getting 7th place at the final at the Southampton Boat Show.

This year she has gone one better and after winning the Southern Area again (by a clear 25 seconds from a field of boys) arrived at this years Southampton Boat Show. Starting first Hannah put in a really good 2nd run  so now it was up to the 15 other competitors from as far afield as Gibraltar to do their stuff. Ultimately Hannah ended up achieving a podium position in third place being beaten by last years winner and 4th place finisher - well done Hannah! From a field of 3500 original competitors across the two age groups we're delighted for her.

The boats used are 4.8m Ribcrafts running 50Hp Honda outboards. We now have an identical boat for children's training so if you fancy doing a Level 1 course on a great little boat just give us a call. Equally next year we will be running some training for Clubs interested in trying the boat they will use in the event - call for details.

Winter Training ~ the rougher stuff and kids courses
October 2008.

Just because it is a bit colder and our balmy summer days are behind us (okay a bit of poetic licence but I have to dream!) that's no reason not to keep your boating going over the autumn and winter period. We have Level 2 courses running at least once a  week, VHF every two weeks and plenty of Instructor and Advanced Courses. Kids training is scheduled for the half term week and of course we can train on you craft any day of the week.

PTUK adds Ex RNLI D-Class to the training fleet
September 2008.

During September we took delivery of an Ex RNLI D-Class lifeboat to improve our ability to train on higher powered tiller controlled craft. Just under 5m long and powered by a 2 stroke Mariner 40Hp this is a hugely capable craft.

If you or your organisation wants to develop experience in this type of craft then please contact us to discuss your needs. We have also created courses including basic engine maintenance for those using these types of engines  in hostile environments.

This D Class went into service in 1996 as D496 as the Leonard Stedman at Hayling Island. It was replaced in 2005 and has since formed part of the relief fleet.

British Antarctic Survey choose PTUK
August 2008.

During the summer we were delighted to be appointed as the Marine Training provider to the British Antarctic Survey.  Our involvement ranges from the initial assessment of some of the recruits through STCW95 Sea Survival, a five day (and night!) boat handling course leading to (for those with the required skills) a RYA Powerboat Instructor course.

Want to lean what a Boatman does in Antarctica? - Check it out here

Click the image to visit the BAS website

Articles in the Superyacht Magazines regarding PWs
September 2008.

Paul has recently been asked to write for some additional magazines. Two recent additions have related to the world of superyachts and the operation of Personal Watercraft - an area Paul is very active in.

Click the image to read the PYA article

Maritimo ~ a new name in boating in the UK
July 2008.

We are delighted to add the outstanding range of Maritimo boats to those that we undertake training on. Maritimo is an Australian company and the boats they make are just that bit different and distinctive - take a look at the website and when you contact James at Maritimo please ensure that you mention our name.

Click the image to visit the Maritimo website

Summer kids courses
June 2008.

It has to be said we were delighted by the huge interest shown in the May half term courses. We ran a series of Level 1 and 2 courses for children from 8 to 16 and during the week trained almost 25 budding young powerboaters with a pretty even mix between boys and girls.

We've booked some dates already for the summer so if you are keen for your child(ren) to attend please contact us as soon as possible.

Kids Week: w/c 21st July 2008

Powerboat Level 1: Age 8+

Powerboat Level 2: Age 12+

VHF: Age 12+

 To chat about the kids courses  please contact Viv or Esther.

Cobbs Quay ~ Hollywood?
June 2008.

Outside our offices became the set of an ITV Drama production this week. 'U be dead' is based on a true story (here) and looks like it could be a good programme. Sadly our acting skills were not required!

Superyacht UK
May 2008.

We were delighted in May to be invited to join the business organisation ~ Superyacht UK. Superyacht UK is a collection of UK businesses with an acknowledged expertise in serving the superyacht market. During 2007 & 8 we have welcomed crews from a variety of yachts to the UK and have undertaken Instructor, personal watercraft and Powerboat Level 2 courses on a large number of yachts in the Med.

Bibs, our Scorpion, has a new home
Apr 2008.

We were sad to say goodbye to Bibs a few weeks ago but delighted it went to a good home. It was sold to a company in Lymington who intend using it for their staff. We are delighted that they then chose us to train their 20 staff in the safe use of the boat with all of them undertaking their Level 2 and VHF courses during April and May.

We have also written the Company's Operating Procedures Manual for the safe use of the boat.

If you feel this training and consultancy service may be relevant for you company please contact Paul.

Kids courses for the May half term
Apr 2008.

The early Easter meant that we struggled to get any courses arranged for the kids. Therefore we've scheduled the May half term (w/c 26th May for most schools) for Level 1 & Level 2 couses just for the kids (8+ for Level 1, 12+ for Level 2). The courses will use a variety of boats and certainly include 'Jumbo' our 4.8m Ribcraft.

High tides and low pressure cause floods at Cobbs
Mar 2008.

The very low pressure and high spring tides combined to cause flooding at Cobbs on Monday 10th Mar. These were the highest water levels anyone can remember.

Click the image for more photos

New Cobbs Quay Weather site goes live!
Feb 2008.

www.cobbsquayweather.co.uk

We've just gone live with a weather site at Cobbs Quay. We've installed a Davis Vantage Pro2 Weather System which sends weather data to this website every three seconds. MDL have worked with us to get the wind part of the system up high and out of the way of the boats. We hope that you enjoy and benefit using the site.

Click the image to visit the site

New whizzy calendar goes live!
Feb 2008.

We're delighted to launch our new calendar. We've spent quite a long time making sure it is really easy to use and useful for you - hopefully we've got it right. In a geeky sort of way we're quite proud of it!

Click the image to visit the calendar

PTUK Book Shop goes live!
Feb 2008.

We're delighted to launch our new Book Shop powered by Amazon.

Click the logo to visit the shop

We've started by identifying what we see as the key books for each of the areas we teach. Further areas will be added in due course.

Another PTUK Instructor wins an award!
Feb 2008.

We're delighted that after Terry McFall's success last year in becoming the RYA Powerboat Instructor of the Year Colin Ridley has followed hot on his heels and has been awarded the RYA Shorebased Instructor of the Year Award. Paul managed to get to the RYA Raymarine Yachtmaster Conference to wish Colin well and the smile on Colin's face said everything.

Colin has been part of the school since before its inception and ran the school's first ever Level 2 course. He tends to teach less often for us nowadays as he run lots of shorebased courses but you'll find him running a good number of our First Aid, VHF and Instructor Courses each year. Given that February will see the publication of Colin's new RYA Powerboat Instructors Handbook it will be a busy couple of months!

More website news
Jan 2008.

January has seen some material changes in the website and  we hope you agree that the site continues to move forward in terms of content and layout. The testimonials section is now live as is a new section on Poole. We'll shortly upload a Book Shop and a revised section explaining the various Instructor courses we run. Soon after we'll go live with our new Calendar. After that we're working on the commercial courses section and information on Joining Instructions.

We'd be delighted to hear from anyone that has any problems with the website either relating to how it looks, the menu structure or accessibility. any screenshots that you can provide would be great. We've tested against all major browsers and platforms but a couple of people have said they have had issues - hence the question.

New website for 2008!
Jan 2008.

If you are a regular visitor then you'll recognise that  we've just completely redesigned and restructured the website for the 2008 season.  One of the areas the website has struggled with over the last few years is presenting clearly and quickly the wealth of information that we provide on the site. To make life simpler we've made the menu system more straight forward and intend making further amendments over the next couple of months.

Perhaps most importantly we've tried to further improve the content. More of the articles that we've written have been added for your use, we've improved the advice to new boaters and developed the information available for those coming on a  course.

Anything left to do? Well yes - lots! Our objective is to make this site amongst the most useful to boaters irrespective of where they intend undertaking their training. We're soon to add sections containing Testimonials, Case Studies more information for those attending Courses, a new Quiz and more information to help you decide Which Course suits you best

Please accept our apologies for the lack of a proper calendar. we're in the process of building a super whizzy calendar which we hope will be worth waiting for.

You can help too! Inevitably there will be mistakes in some places in the website. We'd really like to know where they are, please email us at office@powerboattraininguk.co.uk with what you've noticed. Equally we'd like to know what you think we can add that would help you and other boaters - just email us your thoughts. Thanks.

Rockley Watersports
Jan 2008.

Rockley Watersports are the largest independent sailing school in the UK. Established over 25 years ago the company has built a reputation for delivering the very best in RYA dinghy sailing training. We're delighted to link up with Rockley and look forward to working together on many courses to further enhance the quality and range of courses and training experience offered to our respective clients.

Click the logo to visit the website

New boats
Oct 2007.

2007 has been manic at PTUK so we've taken the opportunity to add some additional craft to the fleet. Bibs our Scorpion 7.5m that has served us so well has been replaced with a 7.9m Ribcraft with a 225Hp Yamaha 4 stroke. This runs alongside Nova our trusty 5.6m Avon as the main workhorses of the training fleet.

Alongside these two are Bumblebee our 5.85 Ribcraft (150Hp Yamaha) and our new children's boat ~ Jumbo. Jumbo is a 4.8m Ribcraft with a 50Hp Honda.

Our jetbike (a Yamaha Waverunner) and our small general support RIB - Mango (a 4m inflatable keel Avon) are kept well busy too.

Additionally we have the 4 17ft Purple Pelicans which can be used when we have lots of clients with us and our motor crusier. If we add in family sailing dinghies, small inflatables and our Riva Florida that means we run 16 boats plus 2 canoes - frightening!

Keeping it in the family
September 2007

Well done to Hannah - Paul & Viv's daughter  - who in September represented the Southern Area as Regional Champion (Age group 8 - 12) in the RYA Honda Youth RIB Challenge in the finals at the Southampton Boat Show.

Hannah entered the competition through Parkstone Yacht Club and represented them at the Southern Championships in Cowes. As one of the few girls and youngest competitors we were in all honesty a bit surprised when she won. Jamie Edwards - also from PYC - won the 13 - 16 year old group so it was off to the Southampton Boat Show for the National Championships.

Sadly neither Hannah or Jamie won but Hannah came 7th (of 16) and was the top girl finisher. Jamie did really well and was 5th (of 16).

Next year we may run some training for those keen to enter this event - watch this space!

Anthony Nolan Trust ~ Castaway Challenge
Sep 2007
 

Following on from our involvement in 2006 we were delighted to assist this worthy cause in their 2007 event. See last year's news item for more details on the event and how to get involved.

April saw Paul invited by the RYA to run the first RYA Personal Watercraft course aimed at the newly set up Superyacht Training Centres. Since then Paul has gone on to run numerous Instructor courses aimed at this new market. This has involved courses in Antibes, Nice and Monaco.

“Terry epitomises the perfect RYA Instructor. He is highly knowledgeable and competent, professional and safe whilst his students see him as hugely reassuring and his courses fun, challenging and always surpassing their expectations.”

Terry was presented his award by RYA Chief Executive Rod Carr at the RYA Dinghy Show in London and was also given some sailing kit from award supporters Gul. Paul, Viv & the kids were delighted to be there with Terry's wife Sara.

Self Drive Boat Hire ~ Purple Pelican
Jan 2007

In October we announced that we had bought a Self Drive boat hire business that had operated in Poole Harbour for 5 years. We are delighted to announce that the 4 boats are now available for hire and that the business has its own dedicated website.

So what are the benefits for our clients?
- If you don't have a boat then you can hire these craft at discounted rates before or after your course. Many clients that we train are in the process of buying a craft or are thinking about doing so - this can be a great and low cost way to get on the water.

- Don't want the hassle of getting your own craft ready or yours is out of commission - then use ours.

- Based abroad but want to do some UK boating - a Pelican could be the answer.

- Want to get to those inaccessible places in the harbour that your craft can't get to - then use a Pelican.

- Like the idea of 'turn-key' boating, a Pelican may suit your needs
 

Click the logo for the dedicated Purple Pelican website

British Sub-Aqua Club
Jan 2007

We are delighted to announce that PTUK is now one of the few RYA Training Centres also accredited as a BSAC Seamanship Centre. Well done to Terry McFall, Don Roper and Morris Abley who along with our Principal Paul Glatzel qualified as BSAC Boat Handling Instructors and BSAC Diver Coxswain Assessors. We feel that the BSAC courses complement the range of RYA courses that we run and will allow us to offer to clients even more courses to satisfy their varied needs - call/email to discuss.

The site will soon be updated with more information on these courses however in the meantime follow these links: Boat Handling, Diver Coxswain Assessments, Outboard Course, Chart Plotting & Position Fixing, First Aid for Divers, Oxygen Administration.

United Kingdom Hydrographic Office - UPDATE
Nov 2006

In our last News item we were coy on a new product that we'd helped the UKHO to develop - they swore us to secrecy! The product has just gone live at the Boat Show so we can spill the beans! The product is their new 'Tough Charts' we were delighted that the suggestions made were integrated into the final product.

United Kingdom Hydrographic Office
Nov 2006

We were delighted to welcome the UKHO to our Offices this month to run a Focus Group to assess what a representative sample of powerboaters thought of a new product they are to launch at the London Boatshow. We arranged for 7 people (including Terry McFall our Chief Powerboat Instructor) to be there to comment on the product and suggest improvements to it. Over the two hours the Focus Group ran the attendees came up with some really valuable input according to those running it. Thanks to Andrew (x2), Tim, Ray, Viv (x2) and Terry for attending and their valuable input. Thanks too to the UKHO for choosing PTUK as a venue.

As you can tell from this rather vague explanation of the product they discussed those present have been sworn to secrecy about the product - our lips are sealed!!

PTUK buys Self-drive boat hire business
Oct 2006

On the morning of 1st November we were delighted to announce the purchase of a Poole based Self-Drive Boat Hire business. The existing business runs from Mitchells Boatyard (aka Parkstone Bay Marina) and will be moved to run from Cobbs Quay Marina over the next few weeks. We presently have 4 boats available for hire and as you can see from the photo they are somewhat different from your usual hire boat.

 The business is to be called Purple Pelican and will run throughout the year, for 2007 the craft will be available from February and those attending our courses who don't have a boat can hire them at a discounted rate. More information is available here and the business will have its own dedicated website shortly.

Anthony Nolan Trust ~ Castaway Challenge
Sep 2006
 

We were delighted to be able to assist this very worthy cause by ferrying their personnel and kit to one of the Islands in the harbour for their 6 day survival challenge. The conditions were great for them - a mixture of sun and rain! - and they even enjoyed some challenges like you see on the TV versions. We're supporting next year too - if you want to be part of this challenge contact the organiser Sharon Wells via sharon.wells@anthonynolan.org.uk / 01202 600629. Click the logo to visit the website. Thanks too to www.ribrage.co.uk for the use of their diesel jet RIB which we used alongside our boats.

Poole Afloat, RIBEX and Beaulieu a great success
Jun 2006

This year we have exhibited at three shows and have been delighted by the response we've received. For us it's a great chance to meet new clients and catch up with people we've worked with before. Below are some photos of the Poole Afloat event, we've been to Poole Afloat for 4 years now and this year had the prime position on the Quay.

Bahrain - training in the Middle East
May 2006

May bought our first trip to the Middle East to train an Advanced Course, a VHF Course and an Advanced Instructors Course.  The conditions were somewhat different to what we had left behind in Poole (you'll recollect that our Spring had not been the best!) so with temperatures of up to 40 degrees in the shade it was different to say the least.

First helicopter lift of the year and the first ever for Viv
Jan 2006

If the helicopter (Whiskey Bravo) looks close to Top Hat then rest assured it was! Whenever we can when we are out and it is appropriate on courses we see if Coastguard Helicopters will practice with us. The helicopters need to undertake lifts daily for practice and of course we enjoy them too!!

We accept the new RYA Training Vouchers
Jan 2006

The RYA says "Launching at the London Boat Show in January, RYA Vouchers make the ideal gift for friends and family or incentive for customers or employees. RYA vouchers are accepted at over 250 locations in the UK and abroad, and give you the freedom to buy RYA Training Courses when and where you like.

Over the coming months, the scheme will be rolled out to cover a wider range of marine businesses, so soon RYA vouchers could be redeemed for anything from chandlery products to a marina stay."

If you have these vouchers then feel free to spend them with us!