RYA Day Skipper Theory Courses

Nautical terms

Ropework

Anchor work

Safety

International regulations for preventing collisions at sea

Definition of position, course and speed

Navigational charts and publications

Compass

Chartwork

Tides and tidal streams

Visual aids to navigation

Meteorology

Passage planning

Navigation in restricted visibility

Pilotage

Marine Environment

• Parts of a boat and hull
• General nautical terminology
• Knowledge of the properties of synthetic ropes in common use
• Characteristics of different types of anchor
• Considerations to be taken into account when anchoring
• Knowledge of the safety equipment to be carried, its stowage and use (see RYA Boat Safety Handbook C8)
• Fire precautions and fire fighting
• Use of personal safety equipment, harnesses and life jackets
• Ability to send a distress signal by VHF radiotelephone
• Basic knowledge of rescue procedures including helicopter rescue
• Steering and sailing rules (5, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 12-19)
• General rules (all other rules)
• Latitude and longitude
• Knowledge of standard navigational terms
• True bearings and courses
• The nautical mile
• 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
• Application of variation
• Awareness of deviation and its causes
• Use of hand-bearing compass
• Dead reckoning and estimated position including an awareness of leeway
• Techniques of visual fixing
• Satellite-derived positions
• Use of waypoints to fix position
• Course to steer
• Tidal definitions, levels and datum
• Tide tables
• Use of admiralty method of determining tidal height at standard port and awareness of corrections for secondary ports
• Use of tidal diamonds and tidal stream atlases for chartwork
• Lighthouses and beacons, light characteristics
• 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
• Preparation of navigational plan for short coastal passages
• Meteorological considerations in planning short coastal passages
• Use of waypoints on passage
• Importance of confirmation of position by an independent source
• Keeping a navigational record
• Precautions to be taken in, and limitations imposed by, fog
• Use of transits, leading lines and clearing lines
• IALA system of buoyage for Region A
• Use of sailing directions
• Pilotage plans and harbour entry
• Responsibility for avoiding pollution and protecting the marine environment

You need for the course a set of plotters and dividers. These are navigational instruments. We can provide them for £20 and you can pick them up at the first class. Alternatively you can buy them from most chandleries but they will probably be more expensive. You will be asked if you want us to supply you with this item when you book a course.

It is useful at this stage to purchase a £6.00 logbook. The Logbook is a place to record your miles and keep your certificates. It outlines the whole RYA Cruising Scheme giving the course content for each course.

We advise bringing a briefcase or bag to transport the course materials away on the first night.

"What did you like most about about your course? Well-defined and beautifully balanced act between people, didactics and technology. Combo is rarely achieved successfully but it hits the bull's eye! How would you rate the support you received during your course on a scale of 1 to 5 with 1 being very poor and 5 being excellent? 5 no doubt. From the first feedback onwards it's guaranteed you are not alone! I like the way anecdotes and facts are sprinkled occasionally alongside the syllabus, like recent ship wrecks in the Channel, etc. This certainly makes reading more interesting as text books tend to be somewhat drier. Please use any occasion to exploit that approach. That enriches the reader immensely as it is first-hand knowledge in its purest form, and that is certainly difficult to obtain anywhere else. Well done. "

"The Instructor was an excellent coach and really took the time with our class to ensure we all understood all aspects of the course. He was patient and prepared to take the time to ensure we all had the best knowledge transferred to us. He was an excellent instructor and had a significant amount of detailed knowledge that was most helpful to me and the rest of the class. He is passionate and fully committed to his work and goes above and beyond to ensure you are capable and have a really enjoyable experience learning with him. First Class Sailing are well organised and the logistics, course material and facilities were all top notch "

"First Class Sailing should be your only choice for embarking on any theoretical or practical learning experience you may require. Regardless of previous experience it is defiantly No1. Choice for getting the best start around your sailing experience requirements. "

"An excellent outfit, well equipped with good boats and brilliant instructors, that is small enough to give a warm personal service but big enough to cope with the full gamut of yachting experiences"

"I am no longer scared of the engine, touching bolts etc."

"Excellent instructor - gave freely of his experience - very dedicated and enormously helpful."

"Professional and effective. Good equipment, taught by knowledgable and enthusiastic professionals."

"The instructor was the perfect balance of show and tell mixed with letting you make your own mistakes safely. (The booking process) was all very professional and friendly. I felt the booking official actually cared about getting my booking right. Friendly, personalised, professional with out being officious. "

"Excellent and I highly recommend to take any of First Class Sailing's courses"

"Best Sailing School in the UK!"

"Don't choose courses on basis of price. All courses are not the same. Both First Class Sailing Theory and Practical courses are 'First Class'."

"Great practical use of equipment. Good class size. Relaxed. "

"Good clear explanations and pragmatic approach, was very easy to follow. Excellent instructor."

"Hands on, excellent instructor. Very professional, excellent course, 1st Class Service. "

"Clear and focused on practical needs. "

"Concise, covered all relevant and necessary material without unneeded extra time. Instructor was friendly, informative and extremely competent. "

"Good level of detail and experience from instructor. "

"Good entertaining tuition. Lots of anecdotes to make it interesting, great practical experience."

"The booking was well handled and the confirmation emails received speedily. Very helpful to receive pre course notes. Professional, helpful, good value. "

"Friendly informative courses delivered in a relaxed environment by knowledgeable instructors. "