At C-MASTERS, we have created a selection of 'must do' courses. After several years of providing training we know which topics and skills are considered complex by students. Most of these topics are covered in the RYA shorebased courses and during practical courses. However, a more intensive training is needed to become a confident skipper.
Electronic navigation aids such as radar have undergone a rapid technical evolution in the past years. Their functionality has become excellent and the user friendliness has improved dramatically. Nevertheless, it's not about how colourful and nice a radar screen looks. It's all about you getting the relevant information out of it, and knowing how to interpret it when at sea. A radar is still one of the most important tools on board for position finding and collision avoidance in difficult situations.
This course is a 'must do' for skippers and navigators who wish to learn using a radar as an aid for fixing positions and assessing situations avoiding risk of collision.
MASTERCLASS : Practical Radar Operator Training
Course content
During this course you will learn how to operate a radar system, and convert the available information on the screen to real-time situations.
This two day masterclass is a combination of our theoretical course and practical hands-on training, recommended for skippers if a radar is still relatively new to you.
The training includes making real passages on board of one of our yachts while working with radar during fictive night sailing and restricted visibility situations.
This Radar Operator Training by C-MASTERS is unique, and not available at other training centres.
During day one, you will learn:
- Switching on and setting up the radar system
- Tuning the radar to get the best possible image
- Identifying and distinguishing objects on the radar screen (boats, buoys, land)
- Position fixing and navigating using a radar
- Regulations for using radar
- Practicing operating a radar system on our radar simulator
During day two, you will practice operating a radar on board for:
- Entering a harbour using a radar only
- Identifying other vessels
- Avoiding a collision avoidance
- Fixing a position with radar
- Overlaying radar images on chart plotter
- Comparing radar images and AIS signals of vessels
- Identifying a Racon buoy
- Practice navigating at restricted visibility using a radar ('The real thing')
What's included
- Theory classroom session on radar (day-one)
- Practicing radar skills on our simulator
- Practical hands-on Radar Operator training while underway (day-two)
- Lunch in classrooom and on board
- Training by a RYA recognised Radar instructor
- RYA Radar course certificate
- Fuel and mooring fees
- Free parking at our premises
Supporting courses
We recommend the RYA shorebased courses on navigation.
Supporting books
The RYA Navigation handbook is very useful to learn more about navigating using a radar system.
Splendid practical education
I am very satisfied with the RYA Radar course and the extra masterclass day
to practice the use of radar on board on the water.
-- Heinz --
Overview of all our C-MASTERCLASSES
Navigation @ Night
Practice your navigation skills during night passages - recognise buoys, light houses, harbour entrances and ships
Practical Radar Operator Training
Combined theory and practical course on using a radar for position finding, navigation and safety. A hands-on course to get the most out of your radar system
Passage Planning
The key to avoiding nasty surprises when making a voyage is proper preparation, and it starts with learning how to do passage planning. Pragmatic course on preparing your crew and yacht for offshore voyages
Advanced Power Handling
Combined practical course on relaxed motor handling in complex situations, and maintenance and repair of your diesel engine
Safety on board
Practical course to learn the key messures to improve the safety of your crew and yacht, covering the use of safety materials and emergency procedures (e.g. MOB) on board of a C-MASTERS yacht
Practical Celestial Navigation
Practical offshore course on one of our C-MASTERS yachts on practicing taking sights using a sextant, and determining your position with celestial navigation