Course Start Times
Your course will start at 0930 on the first day, and generally run through until about 1700. On some courses there will be late evening finishes if there are night passages, but your instructor will inform you of this in advance.
Motor Cruising Joining Instructions
What to Bring to your Course
Please ensure that you bring the following with you to the course:
Waterproof clothing (oilskins). If you do not have these then we can loan you some from our school stock
Warm clothing for use outside and on the boat. Please also bring gloves, hats, buffs etc.
Sunglasses and Sunblock
Footwear that will not mark the decks (trainers or light sailing wellies are fine).
Personal lifejacket (subject to instructor inspection). If you do not have your own lifejacket then we will supply them.
Accommodation
There is plenty of accommodation in South Queensferry. There are B&Bs in the village, or a Premier Inn up the hill by the M90 junction. if you need any more assistance finding accommodation then please contact us.
If you are planning to stay on the boat for the course then this will be available as an option free of charge (subject to availability). The vessel is warm and dry but otherwise basic, and the marina will have showers that you can use. Further to the list above please also bring the following:
Sleeping bag
Pillow and pillowcase
Towel and personal maintenance items (shower gel, toothbrush etc)
Food and Drink on the boat
Light refreshments (tea, coffee, water and diluting juice) will be supplied throughout the course, but please ensure that you bring meals with you. There is a fridge which you can use to store food items on a daily basis, but please make sure that it is cleared every evening. If anyone has any dietary intolerances or allergies please let us know in advance.
There is a strict no alcohol policy on board the vessel at all times.
Cafes and Local Shops
There are two cafes (‘Scotts’ and ‘Down the Hatch’) at Port Edgar where you will be able to buy lunch and refreshments throughout the day. These do get very busy during the summer, so we recommend that you book ahead. Alternatively bring a packed lunch or you can use the local shops in Queensferry.
Please note that the cafes and restaurants are subject to COVID restrictions, so contact them in advance for info on opening hours etc.
Getting to the Edinburgh Marine Academy
We are based at Port Edgar Marina, Shore Road, South Queensferry, EH30 9SQ. If you are driving then you can park in the main Port Edgar Marina car park where the parking is free (see note below on numberplate validation).
If you are taking public transport, the train station at Dalmeny is a 15 minute walk and trains regularly depart Waverley or Haymarket, and Inverkeithing and the other Fife stations. There is a regular bus from Edinburgh City Centre which stops at the end of Shore Road by the police station.
When you enter the marina, follow the pedestrianised road on the seaward side of the large buildings. Follow the road along past the Bosuns Locker boats and Scotts Restaurant. We are at the end of the road, in a large blue building and the office overlooks the Marina.
Parking
Port Edgar Marina have recently introduced a new parking system. All visitors dropping off and picking up will receive free parking for up to 1 hour, but anyone staying longer than this will be charged. However all Edinburgh Marine Academy customers will be able to register and validate their number plates to have all parking charges waivered.
Please make sure that you come into the Edinburgh Marine Academy office to register your vehicle first thing in the morning to avoid receiving parking charges.
Additional Information for specific courses
For anyone doing a Yachtmaster Exam with us, the examiner will join the boat on the last day to deliver these. Exams will continue into the night so please do not make any travel arrangements until the next day. Approximate exam times will be are subject to change but are usually 1200 – 2230. Please note that there is an additional exam fee due which is directly payable to the RYA (see exam application form for details).
For your exam please bring the following items of paperwork so that the examiner can see them. Please note that failure to bring these items will result in candidates not being able to sit the exam.
-Log Book
-Passport Photo
-First Aid Certificate
-VHF Radio Licence
-Completed Exam Application form (found here)
Photo: The advanced course completion certificate is registered on the RYA online certification system. Please passport sized photo for the certificate
Additional items (we can supply if you do not have them)
– Handbearing compass
– Headtorch (with red function if possible)
– Personal VHF radio
– Any other personal navigation equipment you would like to bring (chartplotters, dividers, charts etc).
Safety at the Edinburgh Marine Academy
Your safety whilst onsite is our primary concern. You will receive a full brief on the first day of the course, and thereafter a daily briefing including weather updates and course plans for any multi day course. Please ensure that you follow all directions issued by your instructor at all times.
