Steering a yacht, sail handling, ropework and safety onboard
Ability after course
Basic knowledge of yachting. Reduces the time needed to complete the Competent Crew course
Minimum duration
2 days
RYA Competent Crew
Competent Crew
Pre-course experience
None
Assumed Knowledge
None
Course content
Basic seamanship and helmsmanship
Ability after course
By the end of the course you should be able to steer, handle sails, keep a lookout, row a dinghy and assist in all the day to day routines.
Minimum duration
5 days, but often run over 3 weekends or 3 days plus a weekend. If you have previously completed the Start Yachting course, the Competent Crew course can be completed in 3 or 4 days.
RYA day Skipper
Day Skipper Practical Course
Pre-course experience
5 days, 100 miles, 4 night hours on board a sailing yacht
Assumed Knowledge
Basic navigation and helmsmanship. It is recommended that you attend the Day Skipper shorebased course before taking this practical course
Course content
Pilotage, boat handling, seamanship and navigation
Ability after course
Can skipper a small yacht in familiar waters by day
Minimum duration
5 days - either as 3 weekends or 3 days plus 2 days
RYA Coastal Skipper
Coastal Skipper Practical Course
Pre-course experience
15 days, 2 days as skipper, 300 miles, 8 night hours
Assumed Knowledge
Boat handling to the standard of the Day Skipper practical sail cruising course and navigation to the standard of the Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaster shorebased course
Course content
Passage planning, pilotage by day and night, boat handling, safety and emergency situations
Ability after course
Skipper a yacht on coastal passages by day and night
Minimum duration
5 days
RYA Yachtmaster preparation
Prerequisite qualifications and experience
Candidates must be aged 18 or over.
Radio Operator's Qualification. A restricted (VHF only) Radio Operator’s Certificate or a GMDSS Short Range Certificate or higher grade of marine radio certificate.
First Aid. A valid first aid certificate. First aid qualifications held by Police, Fire and Armed Services are also acceptable.
Seatime. 50 days, 2,500 miles including at least 5 passages over 60 miles measured along the rhumb line from the port of departure to the destination, acting as skipper for at least two of these passages and including two which have involved overnight passages. 5 days experience as skipper. At least half this mileage and passages must be in tidal waters. Please see the 'definition of passage' link above.
The boat used must be between 7m (23ft) and 24m (78ft) be in sound, seaworthy condition and equipped to the standard set out in the RYA book Cruising Yacht Safety (code C8). The boat must be equipped with a full up to date set of charts and navigational publications and be efficiently crewed as the examiner will not take part in the management of boat during the exam.
International Certificate of Competence
RYA theory courses
RYA Basic Navigation and Safety
Basic Navigation and Safety Course
Pre-course experience
None
Assumed Knowledge
None
Course content
Charts and publications, safety, buoyage, tidal awareness, basic navigation and pilotage, rules of the road, electronic navigation, anchoring, weather forecasts, passage planning
Ability after course
A basic awareness and understanding of navigation and safety
Minimum duration
16 hours. Can be taught over 2 days or a series of shorter sessions
RYA The Day skipper Course
Day Skipper Shorebased Course
Pre-course experience
Some practical experience desirable
Assumed Knowledge
None
Course content
Basic seamanship and introduction to navigation and meteorology. A basic knowledge of lights, weather and IRPCS is also included.
Ability after course
Sufficient knowledge to navigate around familiar waters by day.
Knowledge equivalent to the Day Skipper shorebased course
Assumed Knowledge
Navigation to Day Skipper standard and some practical experience is recommended
Course content
Navigation, meteorology, collision avoidance, safety and passage planning
Ability after course
Understands the principles of navigating for coastal and offshore passages
Minimum duration
40 hours plus 3 assessment papers
RYA Yachtmaster Ocean
Yachtmaster® Ocean Shorebased Course
Pre-course experience
Coastal and offshore sailing
Assumed Knowledge
Navigation to Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaster Offshore shorebased standard
Course content
Astro-navigation, ocean meteorology and passage planning
Ability after course
Background knowledge to skipper yacht on ocean passages, understanding how to plan and navigate an ocean passage
Minimum duration
40 hours plus assessments
One day Skills courses:-
RYA First aid
RYA One Day First Aid Course
Pre-course experience
None
Assumed Knowledge
None
Course content
First aid and resuscitation techniques for yachtsmen, including a knowldge of the treatment for hypothermia
Ability after course
Understands basic first aid in a marine environment
Minimum duration
1 day
RYA VHF SRC licence
Marine Radio Short Range Certificate Course
Pre-course experience
None
Assumed Knowledge
None
Course content
Use of marine radios including GMDSS. Routine, distress, urgency and safety procedures
Ability after course
Can use a marine VHF radio
Minimum duration
1 day including exam
RYA Diesel engine course
Diesel Engine Course
Pre-course experience
None
Assumed Knowledge
None
Course content
Basic maintenance and engine care
Ability after course
Awareness of the main systems of a marine diesel engine. Able to take simple measures to prevent mechanical breakdown at sea and rectify defects which do not require workshop support
Minimum duration
1 day
RYA Radar course
Radar Course
Pre-course experience
None
Assumed Knowledge
None
Course content
Basic understanding of radar and set controls. Plotting and collision avoidance. Navigation techniques
Ability after course
Knowledge of how to use radar in a small boat
Minimum duration
1 day
RYA sea survival course
Basic Sea Survival Course
Pre-course experience
None
Assumed Knowledge
None
Course content
Preparation for survival, life jackets, medical issues, search and rescue techniques. It includes a practical session in a swimming poole to experience entering an inflated liferaft whilst fully kitted out
Ability after course
A good knowledge of survival techniques, the safety equipment carried on small boats and experience of practical drills in a liferaft
