Don't worry if you have not been exposed to Physics, Chemistry, Mechanics, Statics, Fluid dynamics, Geometry or Mathematics during your 'education'. Education is what remains when you have forgotten all you were taught. And the MVS is about updating that experience.
BOAT PROPULSION FOR DUMMIES
The way from A to B in a boat is that Engineer wallahs pull and push various things and report to Skipper that the boat is 'ready for sea'. He passes a nod. Engineers throw a few switches, turn a couple of keys, a big noise starts somewhere below. Some Engineer wallah jumps onto the quay near the back of the boat, peers at the arse of it awhile, nods knowingly and comes back on board. Seaman wallahs untie ropes and things,while sometimes a bit of shouting and swearing goes on. Skipper pulls handles and twirls the steering wheel. Boat eases away from the quay or jetty, out into the River or whatever. And the skipper says "Right lads, where'll we go tonight?"
Well! Yes!
Let's up the ante a bit! You are not responsible for ensuring that the boat gets away, not ever, and if the engineers are gone to the Dickens the boat goes nowhere unless you can find a skipper who has also done engineering (most of them actually) you probably are a raw recruit who has passed 'cordage' and can tie and untie the boat after a fashion but not much else. You have a duty of care and you are expected to be the eyes and ears of the boat at all times. Once you have been trained up to the standard of Leading Volunteer and have much practical experience you may do a lot of driving. We only have ONE LV in the unit as of February 2008.
You sure's'hell ain't going to skipper L1 tonight Josephine.
For that you have to be passed as competent by a skipper and signed off by HoU.
Only four in the unit are currently rated as skippers, Lt.V. Brown, V.Lt.Cdr. Woodhouse, Instr. Warnock, and POV Green.
However, you can dream!