RYA Day Skipper Shorebased Course Syllabus
The Coastal Skipper and Yachtmaster shorebased course is an advanced course in navigation and meteorology for candidates for the Coastal Skipper and Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate. The syllabus makes some provision for the revision of subjects in the Day Skipper Course but those who have not acquired the knowledge set out in the Day Skipper Course are unlikely to be able to assimilate all the subjects covered in this advanced course in the available time. This course is available as an evening class in London or online.
The assumed level of knowledge before starting this course is the Day Skipper Shorebased Course.
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 certainty
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)
Tidal Streams
Sources of tidal information
General rules (all other rules)
Tidal stream information in sailing directions and Yachtsmen’s Almanacs
Allowance for tidal streams in computing course to steer
Tide rips, overfalls and races
Tidal observation buoys, beacons etc.
Buoyage
IALA system of buoyage on Region A
Limitations of buoys, beacons etc
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 limitation 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
Change of variation with time and position
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 interpret a shipping forecast, weatherfax and weather satellite information
Land and sea breezes
Sea fog
Use of 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 water
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
