RYA Essential Navigation and Seamanship Online Theory Course

The Essential Navigation and Seamanship Online Theory Course is an online course.

The course is split into modules and each module is split into either two or three sections, depending on the complexity: Learn It, Try It and Test It.

Learn It imparts all the information needed for that module. You can work through it as many times and at whatever speed you choose.

Try It gives you a chance to practice the more complex modules before moving on to Test It. You can have a go as many times as you like.

Test It checks your knowledge. It is marked automatically and recorded on the site. You have two chances to complete it, re-visiting Learn It between attempts if you need to.

There is no pass/fail mark for the course, but you will be given feedback when you complete Test It. Your online instructor is on hand to answer questions if you get stuck and can coach you up to the appropriate level in order to qualify for the certificate. There is an email link on the site direct to your instructor.

• Charts and Publications
• Safety
• Engine Checks
• Buoyage
• Tidal awareness
• Visual and electronic navigation
• Pilotage
• Rules of the Road
• Anchoring
• Weather forecasts
• Passage Planning

To check if your device is compatible see below.

Upon booking the course

When you book and pay for the online course, you will be issued with a pack of materials which includes everything you need for the course and a set of chart plotters and dividers. You will also be emailed an enrolment key and details of how to log on.

The materials include:

• RYA Course Book
• Charts
• Training Almanac
• Chartplotter
• Dividers
• Postage of Materials
• Full Instructor Phone Support

Compatibility

Minimum requirements:
Mac or PC (not iPad)
Windows XP or later, Mac OS X 10.6 or later

Minimum hardware:
1.0GHz Intel processor or better
128MB free RAM
100MB free hard disk space
32 bit colour graphics card
1024 x 768 screen resolution
Sound card and speakers or headphones

Minimum web browsers:
Internet Explorer 6, Safari 4 or Firefox 3

Software requirements:
Adobe Flash Player
JavaScript must be enabled in your web browser.

Bandwith:
A connection speed of 512kbps is required.

If using Internet Explorer 10 you may need to view the course in Compatibility Mode (see FAQs for advice).

You will need to switch the pop-up blocker off in your web browser.

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 "

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"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. "