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.
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.
Course Location
Please note that we are delivering courses in Port Edgar Marina, Edinburgh as well as Rhu Marina, Helensburgh. Please make sure that you read the joining instructions for your specific course carefully and contact us with any queries.
Getting to Rhu Marina
The Course will run at Rhu Marina, Pier Road, Rhu, Helensburgh, G84 8LH. The closest train station is Helensburgh and then it is a short taxi journey to Rhu Marina.
Your instructor will meet you at the top of the ramp to the pontoons at 0930 on the the mornign of the first day of the course
Accommodation
There is plenty of local accommodation in Rhu and Helensburgh and if you need any more assistance finding accommodation then please contact us.
We strongly recommend that you purchase flexible / refundable accommodation when booking your course. This is because that in the unlikely event that your course needs to be cancelled or rescheduled (weather etc) then Edinburgh Marine cannot be held liable for recovery of lost accommodations costs.
Cafes and Local Shops
There is a cafe onsite at Rhu Marina where you will be able to buy lunch and refreshments throughout the day. This do get very busy during the summer and follows intermittent winter opening hours, so we recommend that you book ahead.
We would suggest that you bring a packed lunch for the first day until you can discuss timings and eating arrangements with your instructor.
Parking
There is free parking in Rhu marina for candidates. Please follow the one way system in the car park and the 5 mph speed limit.
Getting to Edinburgh Marine Academy
The Course will run at Port Edgar Marina, South Queensferry, Edinburgh, EH30 9SQ. The closest train station is Dalmeny, and it is just off the M90 road junction and 10 minutes drive from Edinburgh Airport
Accommodation
There is plenty of accommodation in South Queensferry. There are B&Bs and Pubs 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.
We strongly recommend that you purchase flexible / refundable accommodation when booking your course. This is because that in the unlikely event that your course needs to be cancelled or rescheduled (weather etc) then Edinburgh Marine cannot be held liable for recovery of lost accommodations costs.
Cafes and Local Shops
There are three cafes (‘Scotts’ ‘Outboard’ 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.
We would suggest that you bring a packed lunch for the first day until you can discuss timings and eating arrangements with your instructor.
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.
Safety whilst on your course
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.
