RYA Yachtmaster Theory - Instructor Led Webinars

WHO’S THE COURSE FOR?

The RYA Coastal Skipper/ Yachtmaster shore-based course (it’s full title), is for those with some experience of skippering under their belt. If you’ve owned a boat, or chartered several times in familiar waters, but now want to push yourself. Whether it is by chartering a larger boat, it is a requirement, or if you want to explore more challenging waters, this is the course for you.

If you simply want to continue your personal development and build confidence that is great too, but don’t forget to go and put it into practice on the water!

HOW DOES IT WORK?

The “classroom” sessions will be held on Zoom from your PC, Laptop, Tablet or Phone, so you will interact with your instructor and classmates quite normally. The software will allow the instructor to present slides shows, whiteboard and set quiz’s for you as well as answering questions.

All with the benefit of being far more the 2 meters away from each-other!

WHEN?

The course runs over 6 weeks with 3 sessions per week, 2 mid-week evenings (1800-2000) & 1 weekend morning (0930-1400).

Check the dates available above!

Homework will be set each week to complete on the days off.

INCLUDED:

- All required learning materials

- Postage of materials

- 45 Hours of Contact

- Online learning videos & materials

- All-day contact & support from the instructor

NOT INCLUDED:

- Plotter & Divider Set - Can be bought online for about £25

- Extra tuition if required

Position

• Dead reckoning and estimated position

• Satellite-derived position

• Use of waypointsRadar fixes

• Techniques of visual fixingFixes using a mixture of position lines

• Relative accuracy of different methods of position fixing

• Areas of uncertainty

The magnetic compass

• Allowance for variation

• Change of variation with tie and position

• Causes of deviationSwing for deviation (but not correction)Allowance for deviation

• Different types of compass

Tides

• Causes of tides - Springs and Neaps

• Tide tables - sources

• Tidal levels and datumStandard and secondary ports

• Tidal anomalies

• 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 steerTide rips, overalls, and races

• Tidal observation buoys, beacons, etc

Buoyage

• IALA system buoyage in Region A & B

• Limitations of buoys as navigational aids

Lights

• Characteristics

• Ranges - visual, luminous and nominal

• Rising and dipping distancesLight lists

Pilotage

• Harbour regulations and control signals

• Methods of pre-planningClearing lines

• Use of soundingsTransits and leading lines

GPS and Chart plotters - ECDIS

• Principles of operation and limitations of use

• Raster and vector chartsDatumImportance 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 and limitations of use

Deck log

• Importance of log as yachts official document

• Layout of log, hourly and occasional entries

Meteorology

• Basic terms, the Beaufort scale

• Air masses

• Cloud types

• Weather patterns associated with pressure and frontal systems

• Ability to interpret a shipping forecast, weather Navtex, and weather satellite information

• Land and sea breezes

• Sea fog

• Use of barometer as a forecasting aid

Rules of the road

• Sound knowledge of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea

Safety at sea

• Personal safety, use of lifejackets, safety harnesses and lifelines

• Fire prevention and fire fighting

• Distress signalsCoastguard and Boat Safety SchemePreparation for heavy weather

• Liferafts and helicopter rescueUnderstanding of capabilities of the vessel and basic knowledge of stability

Navigation in restricted visibility

• Precautions to be taken in fog

• Limitations to safe navigation imposed by fog

• Navigation strategy 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 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

• Responsibility to minimize pollution and protect the marine environment