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eLearning Courses

5 courses

Interactive Courses for RYA Qualifications

We offer all three RYA online interactive courses. They are simple and easy to use, written by top RYA Instructors, and are a great starting point before tackling more advanced courses. RYA Interactive courses can be taken anywhere, any time and at your own speed. All you need is a computer and the internet. 

We also offer Day Skipper online theory and Yachtmaster online theory via Ardent Training

RYA Essential Navigation & Seamanship

Cost £150

This course offers a great introduction to navigation and safety awareness for new or inexperienced skippers and crew, as well as those wanting to refresh their skills. In fact it is for anyone interested in sailing, motor boating, sea angling or diving, and complements well our on-the-water training courses, such as Powerboat Level 2.

This online course takes around six hours, but you can work through it at your own speed, whenever and wherever you like.

Please watch this RYA 1.5 minute introductory video:

This course is also available as a two-day taught course in the classroom

RYA Short Range Radio (VHF)

Cost: £60*

(an additional £76 fee must be paid to the examiner on the day of the exam) 

The Short Range Certificate is the minimum qualification required by law to control the operation of VHF and VHF Digital Selective Calling (DSC) equipment on any British flagged vessel voluntarily fitted with a radio. This includes both fixed and hand held equipment using international channels.

A radio is an important piece of safety equipment on board and it is vital to understand the correct procedures.

You will be sent the radio handbook (G31) for your training and will have access to the instructors at the school for advice and guidance. On completing the online course you will be asked to print off the certificate which has a unique number at the bottom of it.

Your exam will be taken within the classroom and this must be at a registered RYA school. Your examiner will carry out your exam and if successful, issue you the licence through the RYA.

Please view the RYA 2 minute introductory video 

This course is also available as a one-day taught course in the classroom

PPR Professional Practices and Responsibilities

Cost £40

The PPR course is for skippers and crew using RYA qualifications to allow them to work commercially. As such, it is written mainly from the point of view of UK legislation and concentrates on your place in the international maritime environment as a UK certificate holder. However, it also explains the need to look beyond UK rules and regulations and take into consideration the requirements of the flag and port state.

Teaching scenarios throughout the course are based on a variety of boats, both sail and power. It may be that you have experience on none of the boats used, but that will not affect your ability to do the course as no specialist knowledge of any type of vessel is required – the same rules and regulations apply regardless of your type of boat or operation.

Please view the RYA 3 minute introductory video:

*Please note, due to manual sign up required, your course joining instructions will be sent to you within our working hours Monday-Friday 0900-1700

Day Skipper and Yachtmaster online courses

We are delighted  to have formed an exciting new partnership with Ardent Training as our provider for Day Skipper and Yachtmaster theory courses. Ardent bring a new, fresh, innovative way to learn shore-based navigation from the comfort of your own home or boat and fit exactly with the ethos of how we run our own training courses

Day Skipper Theory online

Cost £315.

You get a full RYA Day Skipper Theory Course pack which includes course notes, RYA training charts & the RYA Training Almanac.

Watch this 5 minute video for a brief introduction

  • The Day Skipper shore-based course provides a comprehensive introduction to chartwork, navigation, meteorology, and the basics of seamanship. This RYA online course is delivered in video and text format, to give you flexibility and control over your learning. Made up of 15 modules with interactive activities and knowledge checks to get the most out of your distance learning experience. This course will give you more confidence and ability as a competent crew and even allow you to take command as a competent day skipper

    Your success is their priority with unlimited on-demand support from Ardent Training's RYA instructors.

  • SSESSMENTS:

    • When you have completed the online course you will sit 2 papers – one focuses on the chartwork aspects of the course and the other focuses on the general knowledge obtained through the course, (including IRPCS, safety, buoyage)

    • The course addresses everything that comes up in the papers and you will have worked through many examples of similar questions leading up to the final assessments.

    • You can either sit the examinations on your own on your computer or if you prefer, you can do so at no charge at our Training Center in Rhu Marina. If you want to use the qualification commercially then the end of course test will need to be invigilated – please contact us to discuss this option.

Yachtmaster Theory Online

Cost £345.

You get a full RYA Yachtmaster Theory Course pack which includes course notes, RYA training charts & the RYA Training Almanac

Watch this 4 minute video for a brief introduction

  • The RYA Yachtmaster theory course is the pre-requisite course for the Advanced Powerboat, Coastal Skipper, and Yachtmaster Coastal & Offshore practical courses/exams. With a Coastal Skipper or Yachtmaster Offshore certificate, you can charter a yacht, reduce your insurance premium or even work at sea. The Yachtmaster qualification is the gold standard for professional yacht skippers worldwide. It is also ideal for those with skippering experience who wish to 'expand their horizons' and voyage further afield.

    • When you have completed the online course you will sit 3 papers – one focuses on the chartwork aspects of the course, one focuses on the IRPCS and the third focuses on Passage Making including Meteorology.

    • The course addresses everything that comes up in the papers and you will have worked through many examples of similar questions leading up to the final assessments.

    • You can either sit the examinations on your own on your computer or if you prefer, you can do so at no charge at our Training Center in Rhu Marina. If you want to use the qualification commercially then the end of course test will need to be invigilated – please contact us to discuss this option

  • To take the Yachtmaster Theory course you must be at or above the level of the RYA Day Skipper Theory course. If you do not hold the RYA Dayskipper Theory course completion certificate we ask that you contact us before booking. text goes here