Day Skipper Theory Online

East Anglian Sea School's Day Skipper 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.

Suitable for sail and motor, successful completion of this course will give you the theoretical knowledge to competently navigate around familiar waters by day.

The course introduces you to marine terminology, seamanship, safety, collision regulations, meteorology, chartwork, tides, coastal navigation and pilotage.

No prior knowledge is needed, however some practical yachting or motor cruising understanding is desirable.

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

RYA Day Skipper Shorebased Certificate.

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.

Stability

International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea

Steering and sailing rules (5,7,8,9,10 and 12-19)

General rules (all other rules)

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 hand-bearing compass

Chartwork and Navigation - Traditional and Electronic 

Dead reckoning and estimated position including awareness of leeway

Techniques of visual fixing 

Use of GNSS and chartplotters for postion fixing 

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

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 and visual confirmation 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 (Regions A  & B)

Use of sailing directions

Pilotage plans and harbour entry

Marine Environment

Responsibility for avoiding pollution and protecting the marine environment