RYA Coastal Skipper and Yachtmaster Offshore Theory Course

This is an advanced course in navigation and meteorology for candidates for the Coastal Skipper and Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate. The syllabus makes some provision for the revision of subjects in the Day Skipper course but those who have not acquired the knowledge set out in the Day Skipper course are unlikely to be able to assimilate all the subjects covered in this advanced course in the time available.

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, over falls 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 systems
• 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)

• Principals of operation and limitations of use

Deck log

• Importance of log as official document
• Layout of log and occasional entries

Meteorology

• Basic terms the Beaufort scale
• Air masses
• Cloud types
• Weather patterns associated with pressure and frontal systems
• Sources of weather forecasts
• Ability to interpret a shipping forecast, weather fax and weather satellite information
• Land and sea breezes
• Sea fog
• Use of barometer as a forecasting aid

Rule 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
• Life rafts 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 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 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

• Responsibility to minimise pollution and protect the marine environment

The full syllabus for each course can be found in the RYA's Sail Cruising Syllabus & Logbook (G15). This book explains the syllabus for the RYA Competent Crew, Day Skipper, Coastal Skipper and RYA Yachtmaster sailing courses. The book includes space for personal log and course completion certificates.

The completion certificate is included in the cost of your course. You can purchase the Sail Cruising Syllabus & Logbook from the RYA website, from Amazon or other good book stores.

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