Syllabus

Nautical terms:

• Parts of a boat and hull, and General nautical terminology

Ropework:

• Knowledge of the properties of synthetic ropes in common use

Anchor work:

• 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
• 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)

Navigation:

• Definition of position, course and speed.
• Latitude and longitude.
• Knowledge of standard navigational terms
• True bearings and courses
• The knot
• Navigational charts and publications
• Information shown on charts, chart symbols and representation of direction and distance- Navigational publications in common use. - Chart correction
• Navigational drawing instruments
• Use of parallel rulers, dividers and proprietary plotting instruments

Compass:

• Application of variation - Awareness of deviation and its causes
• Use of handbearing compass

Chartwork:

• Dead reckoning and estimated position including 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 buoyage for region A Use of sailing directions. - Pilotage plans and harbour entry

Marine environment :

• Responsibility for avoiding pollution and protecting the marine environment

Award

RYA Day Skipper Shorebased certificate.

Options

This course can be completed over 5 days - Monday 0930 to Friday 1700; Two weekends - a 3 day weekend (including Monday) and a 2 day weekend; 5 consecutive Saturdays; Evening class commencing October each year - 10 weeks before Christmas and 10 weeks after. Various options of local accommodation is available to suit all budgets.