R Marine Launches Skipper Course For New Riviera Owners

R Marine, the retail arm of luxury boat builder Riviera, has launched an innovative Master Class training program for new and existing boat owners. The program will be offered free of charge for the entire month of May, including the duration of the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show.

The “Class Act” Master Class is available to anyone who purchases or orders a new Riviera, Princess or Grand Banks through an R Marine Dealer during May.

The unique Master Class program offers owners the chance to spend 12 days learning the finer points of boat handling, navigation and maintenance, safety and even fishing, aboard their own boat, trained by an experienced and skilled skipper.

Stephen Milne, Riviera’s Director of Brand and Communications, said: “This is a chance for the whole family to get involved and learn every aspect of boating. We encourage couples and their children to take part and learn more about their new boat and its operation – as well as a lot of the fun aspects of the boating lifestyle.

“It’s like winning a place in Boating University. The families who take up the offer will learn skills and confidence to last a lifetime. In fact, we’ve even created special R Marine University shirts to present to the Master Class graduates that they can wear with pride.

“We are offering these Master Classes to everyone who purchases during May. Unfortunately, the program ends at 5pm on Sunday, May 31.”

The program has been created by R Marine in conjunction with Nomad Sportfishing Charters. Nomad was founded in 2000 and today operates an 80-foot mothership “Odyssey” and a range of smaller boats from Mackay and Cairns.

“The Class Act Master Class is yet another way that R Marine helps our owners make the best of their boating lifestyle,” said Stephen Milne. “Training programs and our Dealers’ Experience events are all aimed at helping R Marine boaters really enjoy the water in safety.”

Designed to involve the entire family, key modules for the course include:

• Navigation and seamanship.
• Manoeuvring and securing the vessel in a marina.
• Anchoring and boat handling at sea in varying conditions.
• Effective maintenance and care for the new vessel.
• Scuba diving and snorkelling
• Bluewater fishing techniques

Owners can choose how intensive or how relaxed they want to make the 12 days. This can be anything from a skippered 12-day holiday to the Whitsunday’s on their new boat through to an intensive bluewater fishing course taught by some of Australia’s best skippers and guides.

The 12 day package is modular; the owner can select the most appropriate components. Alternately, they can describe what they want to achieve and the training team will package a course to suit over the 12 days to achieve the desired outcome.