Power Boat Course Take II

In order to be able to collect samples from the Irish Sea using a motorboat in the future, part of the UniGraz team completed an Irish powerboat course on June 27 and 28, 2026. The course included both theoretical and practical sessions.

Dun Laoghaire Harbor - Dublin. Photo credit: Andrea Antes

In the classroom, we discussed basic rules for behavior on a boat, what to consider before setting out, and practiced tying various types of knots. We also learned about the proper equipment. On the second day, we discussed tides and worked with charts. First, we learned how to read a chart, what symbols are found on it, and where to find information about unfamiliar symbols. Afterward, we learned how to determine the coordinates of a specific point and how to locate a place using those coordinates. Finally, we plotted a course and determined the direction we needed to sail in to reach our desired destination, calculated the distance between the starting and ending points, and estimated the duration of the trip at a specific speed. In between all these theory sessions, we also did practical exercises. First in the harbor, to learn basic maneuvers such as steering in a figure-eight pattern (forward and backward), turning in a tight space, heading toward a specific object and staying alongside it, staying in place, towing another boat, and holding it alongside the deck. Later, we also went outside the harbor to practice turning maneuvers at higher speeds and man-overboard drills. Our instructor, Alex, took the time to answer all our questions and point out potential hazards when maneuvering a boat. So it was a very productive and educational weekend for us.

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