RYA Day Skipper Theory
6 days - £450
The RYA day skipper theory course will provide you with an introduction to chartwork, navigation, meteorology, and the basics of seamanship for competent crew. The course will equip you with enough knowledge to navigate familiar waters by day. Knowledge of vessel lights is also included to introduce you to night cruising.
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1. Nautical Terms
Parts of a boat and hull
General nautical terminology
2. Ropework
Knowledge of the properties of synthetic ropes in common use
3. Anchorwork
Characteristics of different types of anchor
Considerations to be taken into account when anchoring
4. Safety
Knowledge of the safety equipment to be carried, its stowage and use (see RYA Boat Safety Handbook)
Fire precautions and fire fighting
Use of personal safety equipment, harnesses and lifejackets
Ability to send a distress signal by VHF radiotelephone
Basic knowledge of rescue procedures including helicopter rescue
5. International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea
Steering and sailing rules (5,7,8,9,10 and 12-19)
General rules (all other rules)
6. Definition of position, course and speed
Latitude and Longitude
Knowledge of standard navigational terms
True bearings and courses
The knot
7. Navigational charts and publications
Information shown on charts, chart symbols and representation of direction and distance
Navigational publications in common use
Chart correction
8. Compass
Application of variation
Awareness of deviation and its causes
Use of hand-bearing compass
9. Chartwork
Dead reckoning and estimated position including an awareness of leeway
Techniques of visual fixing
Satellite-derived positions
Use of waypoints to fix position
Course to steer
10. Tides and tidal streams
Tidal definitions, levels and datum
Tide tables
Use of Admiralty method of determining tidal height at standard port and awareness of corrections for secondary ports
Use of tidal diamonds and tidal stream atlases for chartwork
11. Visual Aids to Navigation
Lighthouses and beacons, light characteristics
12. Meteorology
Sources of broadcast meteorological information
Knowledge of terms used in shipping forecasts, including the Beaufort scale, and their significance to small craft
Basic knowledge of highs, lows and front
13. Passage Planning
Preparation of navigational plan for short coastal passage. Meterological considerations in planning short coastal passages
Use of waypoints on passages, importance of confirmation of position by an independent source
Keeping a navigational lookout
14. Navigation in restricted visibility
Precautions to be taken in, and limitations imposed by fog
15. Pilotage
Use of transits, leading lines and clearing lines
IALA system of bouyage for region A
Use of sailing directions
Pilotage plans and harbour entry
16. Marine environment
Responsibility for avoiding pollution and protecting the environment
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chartwork assessment (1.5hrs)
general knowledge assessment (1.5hrs)
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None, although it is helpful to have completed RYA Essential Navigation & Seamanship course
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Pen and Notepad
Plotters and dividers for use during the course
RYA Training Charts 3 & 4 and RYA Training Almanac
RYA Day Skipper Northern Hemisphere Exercise book
Light Refreshments (tea, coffee, biscuits)
Bring money for lunch, or a packed lunch
Please contact us if you would like to arrange either an offsite course or a 1:1 private course:
Offsite Courses: Conducted on your own premises, providing they are suitable for training. Private Courses - not open to the general public
Given our commitment to keep prices as low as possible, we reserve the right to cancel & reschedule any course where minimum numbers are not reached