Coastal Skipper and Yachtmaster Offshore Theory Online

East Anglian Sea School's Coastal Skipper and Yachtmaster Offshore distance learning course allows you to study anywhere in the world and at your own pace within the time frame of 1 year from date of enrolment. It 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.

This course 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.

What's included?

• Study material on our online platform
• Course guide
• RYA Student pack
• 2B pencil for chartwork
• Marking and Support
• Exams
• Postage to UK addresses

Popular extras:

• Navigational instruments - plotter and high quality dividers
• Books - RYA books and other publications that are not essential for completion of the course however are nice to have on the book shelf and can help when moving onto higher level courses.
• Extra training charts

If distance learning isn't for you there is also various ways you can take this as a 6 day course at East Anglian Sea School's training centre in Suffolk, UK; 6 consecutive days, over two weekends or as evening class.

RYA Coastal Skipper and Yachtmaster Offshore Theory Certificate on successful completion of all coursework and exams. 

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.