Owning a Riviera motor yacht is one thing. Learning to get the most out of it is another and that’s what the crew at R Marine Jacksons in Melbourne have been doing for their valued owners.
Over the past three years, Stuart Jackson and his team have held specialist workshops, including their highly popular skippers’ days, for their Riviera owners to help them navigate boat ownership.
Last year’s VHF workshop was a huge success, giving Riviera owners the full instruction of the etiquette and procedures of using their marine-frequency VHF.
“Every boat we sell has a VHF but you do need a marine radio licence to use one,” says Mr Jackson.
“Our program was designed to help our Riviera owners learn how to properly use their VHF, which is especially important in emergency situations. It covers radio etiquette, maydays and communicating with other boats and in any emergency situation.”
Attendees earn a certificate after passing an exam at the end of the half-day VHF workshop, setting them up to apply for a full VHF marine radio licence.
“The education we provide is very well received by all our owners, as we have a number of experts covering specialist areas,” says Mr Jackson.
“We try to keep it interesting and practical, and hopefully our clients take something away with them because it could potentially save a life.”
This year, R Marine Jacksons is extending a hand to the ladies with a specialist skippers’ workshop at the Sandringham Yacht Club, where the dealership is based.
“The idea is to create a comfortable environment for women to ask questions and get to know about their boat from the inside and out,” says Mr Jackson.
As with the regular skippers’ workshops, the ladies will learn everything from nautical terms, safety at sea, radio use, basic navigation and how to tie up a boat, as well as an intro to docking that includes a practice session. There are even tips for styling your boat and how to take care of pets on board.
“It’s all the practical work involved in boat ownership,” says Mr Jackson.
Marine electronics specialist Raymarine will have its mobile showroom on site to offer a hands-on guide to the variety of essential equipment you will find aboard your new Riviera motor yacht.
The ladies skipper day is being held Friday, 1st May from 10am to 4pm. The cost is $50 per person and that includes snacks and drinks.
Register your interest by 3rd April, 2020, by visiting or call the team at R Marine Jacksons on 03 9598 777.
