Coastal/Yachtmaster Shorebased Course (40 hours)

 

The RYA Coastal skipper/yachtmaster Shorebased Course is an advanced course covering Navigation, Meteorology, and Collision Regulations. It is a must for those working towards taking the Coastal skipper or Yacht master offshore exams.

It is an intensive course covering advanced navigation techniques including position fixing, course shaping and plotting, tidal knowledge, and use of almanacs, Admiralty publications and electronic position finding equipment.

Meteorology tuition includes the taking and interpretation of forecasts, plotting of weather systems and weather prediction using barometers and by observation. You are shown how to use this information when planning and executing passage plans.

The international regulations for prevention of collisions at sea are dealt with in detail.

There are three exams, one each on navigation, meteorology, and collision regulations.

On successful completion you will be awarded the RYA Coastal/Yachtmaster Shorebased Course Certificate

We recommend the Day Skipper Shorebased Course has been completed or a level of knowledge to that level, before attending this Course.

Syllabus

Position
Dead reckoning and estimated position
Satellite-derived position
Use of waypoints to fix position
Radar fixes
Techniques of visual fixing
Fixes using a mixture of position lines
Relative accuracy of different methods of position fixing
Areas of uncertainty

The magnetic compass
Allowance for variation
Change of variation with time and position
Causes for deviation
Swing for deviation (but not correction)
Allowance for deviation
Different types of compass

Tides
Causes of tides – Springs and Neaps
Tide tables – sources
Tidal levels and datum
Standard and secondary ports
Tidal anomalies (Solent, etc)

Tidal streams
Sources of tidal information
Tidal stream information in sailing directions and Yachtsmen’s Almanacs
Allowance for tidal streams in computing a course to steer
Tide rips, overfalls and races
Tidal observation buoys, beacons etc

Buoyage
IALA system buoyage in Region A
Limitations of buoys as navigational aids

Lights
Characteristics
Ranges – visual, luminous and nominal
Rising and dipping distances
Light lists

Pilotage
Harbour regulations and control signals
Methods of pre-planning
Clearing lines
Use of soundings
Transits and leading lines

GPS and chart plotters
Principles of operation and limitations of use
Raster and vector charts
Datum
Importance of confirmation of position by an independent source and keeping a separate record of position
Importance of paper charts

Echo sounders
Principles of operation and limitations of use

Logs (speed and distance measuring)
Principles of operation and limitations of use

Deck log
Importance of log as yacht’s official document
Layout of log, hourly and occasional entries

Meteorology
Basic terms, the Beaufort scale
Air masses
Cloud types
Weather patterns associated with pressure and frontal systems
Sources of weather forecasts
Ability to interprete a shipping forecast, weatherfax and weather satellite information
Land and sea breezes
Sea fog
Use of a barometer as a forecasting aid

Rule of the road
A sound knowledge of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, except
Annexes 1 and 3

Safety at sea
Personal safety, use of lifejackets, safety harnesses and lifelines
Fire prevention and fire fighting
Distress signals
Coastguard and Boat Safety Scheme
Preparation for heavy weather
Liferafts and helicopter rescue
Understanding of capabilities of vessel and basic knowledge of stability

Navigation in restricted visibility
Precautions to be taken in fog
Limitations to safe navigation imposed by fog
Navigation strategy in poor visibility

Passage planning
Preparation of charts and notebook for route planning and making, and use at sea
Customs regulations as they apply to yachts
Routine for navigating in coastal waters
Strategy for course laying
Use of waypoints and routes
Use of weather forecast information for passage planning strategy
Sources of local and national regulations

Marine environment
Responsibility to minimise pollution and protect the marine environment

To download pdf copy for printing click here

 

Reproduced with kind permission from the Royal Yachting Association