RYA Coastal Skipper & Yachtmaster Offshore Theory

This is an advanced course which follows on from the RYA Day Skipper Theory. This course will develop further knowledge and skills on navigation, pilotage, collision regulations and meteorology.

It is for sailors and motor boaters who are looking at embarking on difficult passages, for example, offshore and/or at night. This course is also a must for anyone wishing to take a RYA Coastal Skipper or Yachtmaster Offshore practical exam.

Previous experience - Due to the update in the coastal skipper syllabus it is essential that your revise the RYA Day Skipper course before you attend this RYA Coastal Skipper & Yachtmaster course, especially if you have not recently completed the day skipper or used the skills practically.  If you need help with this please contact us to arrange additional training or advice on what materials to use.

The course is taught over 40 hours of classroom study plus three assessment papers.

What’s included?

You will be coached over the RYA Coastal Skipper/ Yachtmaster theory syllabus by one of our experienced instructors.

• Coastal Skipper Yachtmaster offshore theory book
• Practice Almanac
• Practice Charts
• Access to the online RYA chart plotter
• 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 a number of different options for completing the RYA Coastal Skipper and Yachtmaster Offshore theory course.

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

Consecutive days: A non-residential course available over six days commencing Saturdays at 0930h and ending approximately 1700h Thursday.

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

• 2 x 3 day weekends: commencing Saturday at 0930h and ending approximately 1730h Monday

Evening Classes - Evening classes take place at East Anglian Sea School - Starting October each year. 10 weeks before Christmas and 10 weeks after. The coastal skipper Yachtmaster offshore evening class takes place on a Thursday night commencing at 1930h each week.

Distance Learning: We offer the option of a correspondence course online - Work through the syllabus anywhere in the world at your own pace with this option.

RYA Coastal Skipper and Yachtmaster Offshore Theory 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.

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 

Area of uncertainty

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 tide – Springs and Neaps 

Tide tables – sources 

Tidal levels and datum 

Standard and secondary ports 

Tide anomalies (Solent, etc.) 

Tidal Streams 

Sources of tidal information 

Tidal stream information in sailing directions and Yachtsmen’s Almanacs 

Allowance for tidal streams in computing a course to steer 

Tide rips, overfalls and races 

Tidal observation buoys, beacons etc. 

Buoyage 

IALA system buoyage in Region A 

Limitations of buoys as navigational aids 

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 limitations 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 limitations of use 

Deck log 

Importance of log as yacht’s official document 

Layout of log, hourly and occasional entries 

Meteorology 

Basic terms, the Beaufort scale b. Air masses c. Cloud types d. Weather patterns associated with pressure and frontal systems e. Sources of weather forecasts f. Ability to interpret a shipping forecast, weatherfax and weather satellite information g. Land and sea breezes h. Sea fog i. Use of barometer as a forecasting aid 

Rules 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 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 waters 

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

The responsibility to minimise pollution and protect the marine environment.