RYA Day Skipper Shorebased Course (40 Hours)

A comprehensive introduction to chart work, navigation, meteorology and the basics of seamanship for
Potential Day Skippers and those that want to learn the art of Navigation.

Assumed knowledge for this Course is zero, however it is probably best taken after some on the water experience, ideally the RYA Competent Crew Course.

There are two exams, one on navigation and the other a general paper covering, seamanship, meteorology and the collision regulations.
At the end of the course you will be awarded the RYA Day Skipper Shorebased Certificate.

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We recommend this course is taken before attending the Day Skipper Practical Course.

Syllabus

Nautical terms
Parts of a boat and hull
General nautical terminology.

Ropework
Knowledge of the properties of synthetic ropes in common use.

Anchorwork
Characteristics of different types of anchor
Considerations to be taken into account when anchoring.

Safety
Knowledge of the safety equipment to be carried, its stowage and use (see RYA Boat Safety
Handbook C8)
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.

International regulations for preventing collisions at sea
Steering and sailing rules (5, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 12-19) General rules (all other rules)

Definition of position, course and speed
Latitude and longitude
Knowledge of standard navigational terms
True bearings and courses
The nautical mile.

Navigational charts and publications
Information shown on charts, chart symbols and representation of direction and distance
Navigational publications in common use
Chart corrections.

Navigational drawing instruments
Use of parallel rulers, dividers and proprietary plotting instruments.

Compass
Application of variation
Awareness of deviation and its causes
Use of hand-bearing compass.

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.

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.

Visual aids to navigation
Lighthouses and beacons, light characteristics.

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 fronts.

Passage planning
Preparation of navigational plan for short coastal passages
Meteorological considerations in planning short coastal passages
Use of waypoints on passage
Importance of confirmation of position by an independent source
Keeping a navigational record.

Navigation in restricted visibility
Precautions to be taken in, and limitations imposed by fog.

Pilotage
Use of transits, leading lines and clearing lines
IALA system of buoyage for Region A
Use of sailing directions
Pilotage plans and harbour entry.

Marine Environment
Responsibility for avoiding pollution and protecting the marine environment

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Reproduced with kind permission from the Royal Yachting Association