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Shorebased Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaster

The shorebased RYA Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaster course, the follow on course from the Day Skipper, provides a recommended precursor to the practical RYA course afloat.  RYA shorebased instruction for Day, Coastal Skipper and Ocean Yachtmaster are offered as either 5 or 6 day  intensive courses: 3 two day or 2 three weekday or  weekends; 5 or 6 single day sessions, 12 four hour sessions or 24 two hourly evenings. These are made up to the requirements of the client.

It is a more thorough and detailed course concentrating on navigation and meteorology building upon knowledge gained in the Day Skipper course.  It is the ideal course for Coastal Skipper and Yachtmaster Offshore practical examination candidates. There is some time devoted to revision of the basic principles at the start of the course, but, this is revision and anyone who is just starting on navigation is likely to have problems keeping up.  If you are not sure how to work up an estimated position then perhaps the Day Skipper course is for you.

"A more thorough and detailed course"  

COSTS include RYA material times and dates to suit your requirements

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 of 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.).  4 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 & 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 vessel'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 interpret 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 & 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 vessels. 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.