RYA Day Skipper Practical - Motor    & Helmsman 4 day

1. Preparation for sea

• Is able to prepare a yacht for sea, including engine checks, securing and stowage for all gear on deck below

2. Deck Work

• Can prepare an anchor, mooring warps and take charge on deck when mooring alongside, coming to a bouy, anchoring, weighing anchor and slipping from a buoy or alongside berth. 

3. Navigation

• Is proficient in chartwork and routine navigational duties on passage including: Taking and plotting visual fixes, use of electronic navigation equipment for position fixing

• Use of waypoints

• Working up to Dead reckoning and estimated position

• Estimating tidal heights to allow for tidal stream, leeway and drift

• Knowledge of IALA buoyage

• Maintenence of navigational records

• Use of echo sounder and leadline

4. Pilotage

• Can prepare and execute a pilotage plan for entry into, or departure from harbour

• Understands the use of leading and clearing lines

• Use of transits and surroundings as aids to pilotage

5. Meteorology 

• Knows sources of forecast information

• Can interpret shipping forecasts and use a barometer as a forecasting aid. 

6. Rules of the road

• Has a working knowledge of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea

7. Maintenance and repair work

• Understands and is able to carry out maintenance tasks

• Knows the properties and uses of common synthetic fibre ropes

8. Engines

• Knows how to change fuel and water filters, pump impeller and to bleed the fuel system

9. Victualling

• Understands how to victual a yacht

10. Emergency situations

• Is able to take correct action as skipper for recovery of man overboard

• Understands distress flares and how to use a liferaft

• Can operate a radiotelephone in an emergency and send a distress message

• Understands how to secure a tow

• Understands rescue procedures including helicopter rescue

11. Yacht handling under power

• Can bring a boat safely to and from an alongside berth, mooring buoy and anchor under various conditions of wind and tide

12. Passage making 

• Can plan and make a coastal passage, taking account of relevant navigational hazards and limitations imposed by the type of boat and the strengths of the crew.

13. Night Cruising

• Has experienced cruising at night, including leaving and entering harbour

• Understands the special consideration for pilotage plans, keeping a lookout and identifying marks by night

14. Seasickness

• Working efficiency is unaffected/partially affected/servery  affected by seasickness

15. Helmsmanship and sailing

• Can steer a compass course

16. General Duties

• Has carried out general duties satisfactorily on deck in connection with the daily routine of the vessel 

• 2 days practical experience

• Navigation to Day Skipper shorebased standard

• Min. age 16

Included: accommodation & bedding in 4 single bunks if the course is residential, fuel, berthing costs, use of wet weather gear & lifejacket, lunch on all 4 days, breakfasts  & occasional dinners if staying aboard, certificate & logbook

What to bring: Cash for evening meals, all the usual skippering equipment (pencils, erasers, notebook etc), soft soled shoes, wet weather gear (contact us if you haven't got any), light wellies or waterproof shoes, clothes for the duration of the course, any medication, passport photo, phone charger

• Cash for evening meals 

• Notepad and pen

• Soft soled shoes

• Wet weather gear (contact us if you haven't got any)

• Light wellies or waterproof shoes

• Clothes for the duration of the course

• Any medication

• Phone charger