RYA Day Skipper Theory

The RYA Day Skipper Shorebased course will give you a comprehensive knowledge of seamanship, navigation and meteorology. The course is suitable for sailors and motor boaters. By the end of this course you should be competent enough to theoretically navigate around familiar waters by day. No previous experience is required however any practical knowledge you have is desirable. The course is taught over 40 hours with two exam papers.

The course covers the basics of inshore and coastal navigation, position fixing, chartwork, planning, collision regulations, lights and buoyage, safety at sea, electronic navigation and pilotage.

What’s included?

• You will be coached over the RYA Day Skipper theory syllabus by one of our experienced RYA instructors.
• Day Skipper shorebased theory notes
• Practice Almanac
• Practice Charts
• Tea and Coffee (Only courses at EASS)
• Parking

You will need to bring a laptop or tablet along with the RYA chart plotter already downloaded, we will send you your access code before your course.

Maximum teaching ratio - 12:1 

Course language - English

We have five different options for completing the RYA Day Skipper theory course.

The five day classroom course at East Anglian Sea School can be taken over:

Consecutive days: A non-residential course available over five days commencing either a Saturday or Monday at 0930h and ending approximately 1730h Wednesday or Friday.

Over Two weekends: A non-residential course available over two weekends. 

• 3 day weekend: commencing Saturday at 0930h and ending approximately 1700h Monday
• Miss a weekend
• 2 day weekend: commencing Saturday at 0930h and ending approximately 1700h Sunday.

Evening Classes - Evening classes take place at East Anglian Sea School - Starting October each year - 10 weeks before Christmas and 10 weeks after. The Day Skipper evening class takes place on Wednesday from 1930h - 2130h.

Combined Theory & Practical (9 days) - The first 4 days are spent learning the theory in the classroom (non-residential) followed by the remaining 5 days on board (residential) putting into practice what was learnt ashore whilst it is still fresh in your mind.

Distance Learning: Correspondence course online - Work through the syllabus anywhere in the world at your own pace with our distance learning option.

RYA Day Skipper Shorebased certificate.

Local Accommodation – if you need accommodation for the theory part of the course we can recommend a self-contained studio flat ‘The Sail Loft’ which is available within walking distance from the Marina where our classrooms are based. Please check availability with us.

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