ROYAL YACHTING ASSOCIATION
MOTOR CRUISING & YACHTMASTER
Basic Navigation & Safety
Course type: Theory
Duration: 16 hours
Prior experience required: none
Helsman Course
Course type: practical
Description: This two day course covers basic boat handling, engine checks and safety. It is ideal for the beginners who wish to make their first step.
Duration: 2 days
Certification required before examination: none
Suggested pre-course experience: none
Ability after the course: Competent to handle a motor cruiser of specific type in sheltered waters
Day Skipper: Basic seamanship & introduction to navigation and Meteorology
Course type: Theory
Description: A comprehensive introduction to chart work, navigation, meteorology and the basics of seamanship for Competent crew.
Duration: 40 hours plus exam time
Prior experience required: none
Suggested pre-course experience: some practical experience / Helsman Course
Suitable for: Experienced cruisers looking to extend their knowledge.
Course includes: Introduction to chart work, navigation, meteorology and seamanship. Learn how to figure out tidal heights and streams and how they affect your course. How to identify the 'give way vessel' when there is a risk of collision, 'dead reckoning' and 'estimated positions'. Please note that it is essential that you have some previous cruising experience before attending the RYA Day Skipper Theory course.
Day skipper
Course type: practical
Description: This practical course gives you a chance to take charge on short passages under instruction with plenty of advice and help from the instructor.
Duration: 4 days
Assumed knowledge: Basic navigation and helmsanship, introduction to night cruising
Suggested pre-course experience: 2 days
Coastal skipper & Yachtmaster Offshore: Offshore & coastal navigation, pilotage and meteorology
Course type: Theory
Description: This is an advanced course in navigation and meteorology for candidates for the Coastal Skipper and Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate.
Duration:
Prior experience required: Navigation to Day skipper shorebased standard
Suggested pre-course experience: Day skipper theory (shore based course), some practical experience
Suitable for: Highly experienced sailors looking to take their final qualifications
Course Includes:
Increase your accuracy and gain an in–depth knowledge in navigation, meteorology and seamanship.
Expand on the knowledge already achieved at Day Skipper level.
Learn about stability and passage making offshore.
Undertake three assessments – meteorology Chart work and ‘Rules of the Road’.
Coastal Skipper
Course type: practical
Description: The more ambitious motor cruising skipper can improve his or her skills on a Coastal Skipper Course. The course consists of skippered passages by each of the trainees in a whole variety of situations. Designed for Tidal Waters.
Duration: 5 days
Assumed knowledge: Navigation to Coastal Skipper Shorebased standard. Boat handing to Day skipper Practical standard.
Suggested pre-course experience: 15 days (2 days as a skipper) 300 miles, 8 night hours.
Ability after the course: Skipper a motor cruiser on coastal passages by day and night.
Yachtmaster Offshore (preparation)
Course type: practical
Description: Yachtmaster candidates will set tasks to demonstrate their ability as skipper of an offshore motor yacht, including questions on collision avoidance, navigation, pilotage, meteorology and boat handling.
Duration: 5 days
Suggested pre-course experience: 50 days, 5 days as skipper, 2500 miles, 5 passages over 60 miles including 2 overnight and 2 as skipper, VHF licence, RYA First Aid and Sea Survival
Ability After Course: skipper a motor cruiser offshore by day or night.
