Suggested Previous Experience

You should already know how to sail. Your knowledge of coastal navigation & meteorology should be to the standard of Day Skipper shorebased course.

Course Content

You will be coached over the full RYA syllabus (see below)as you live aboard one of the school owned yachts. These conform to or exceed the MCA standards for sail training. The full course syllabus is found in RYA logbook G15 available from our office.

Award

RYA Day Skipper NON Tidal Practical Sail Certificate.

2012 Dates

5 Days

Syllabus

Preparation for sea

Is able to prepare a yacht for sea, including engine checks, selection of sails, securing and stowage of all gear on deck and below.

Deck work

Can reef, shake out reefs and change sails to suit prevailing conditions. Can prepare an anchor, mooring warps and take charge on deck when mooring alongside, coming to a buoy, anchoring, weighing anchor and slipping from a buoy or an alongside berth or stern or bow to mooring.

Navigation

Is proficient in chartwork and routine navigational duties on passage including: Taking and plotting visual fixes; Use of electronic navigation equipment for position fixing; Use of waypoints; Working up DR & EP; Knowledge of IALA buoyage; Maintenance of navigational records; Use of echo sounder and lead line.

Pilotage

Can prepare and execute a pilotage plan for entry into, or departure from, harbour. Understands the use of leading and clearing lines. Use of transits and soundings as aids to pilotage.

Meteorology

Knows sources of forecast information; Can interpret forecasts.

Rule of the road

Has a working knowledge of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea.

Maintenance and repair work

Understands and is able to carry out maintenance tasks; Knows the properties and uses of common synthetic fibre ropes.

Engines

Knows how to change fuel and water filters, pump impeller and how to bleed the fuel system.

Victualling

Understands how to victual a yacht.

Emergency situations

Is able to take correct action as skipper for recovery of man overboard; Understands distress flares and how to use a liferaft; Can operate a radio telephone and send a distress message; Understands how to secure a tow; Understands rescue procedures including helicopter rescue.

Yacht handling under power

Can bring a boat safely to and from an alongside berth, bow/stern-to mooring, mooring buoy and anchor.

Yacht handling under sail

Can bring a boat safely to and from a mooring buoy and anchor; Can steer and trim sails effectively on all points of sailing.

Passage making

Can plan and make a coastal passage, taking account of relevant navigational hazards, local weather patterns and limitations imposed by the type of boat and strength of the crew.

Night Cruising

Has experienced sail cruising at night, including leaving and entering harbour. Understands the special consideration for Pilotage plans, keeping a lookout and identifying marks by night.