RYA Day Skipper Theory course online

The RYA Online Day Skipper course is a comprehensive introduction to chartwork, navigation, meteorology and the basics of seamanship.
This course equips you with enough knowledge to navigate around familiar waters by day. A basic knowledge of lights is also included to introduce you to night cruising.

 
There are no pre-course requirements for this RYA online Day Skipper theory course, but some sailing knowledge is helpful.

Day Skipper Theory course syllabus

• 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 lifejacketsd. Ability to send a distress signal by VHF radiotelephonee. 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 knot

• Information shown on charts, chart symbols and representation of direction and distance
• Navigational publications in common use
• Chart correction

• 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 passagesb. Meteorological considerations in planning short coastal passages
• Use of waypoints on passaged. Importance of confirmation of position by an independent source
• Keeping a navigational

• 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

Overview of all our RYA online courses