RYA Training diagram flow

«Click» on any of the courses below to get full information on syllabusses and requirements



«start yachting» [practical]

A short introduction to sailing for complete beginners

By the end of the course you will have experienced steering a yacht, sail handling, ropework and be aware of safety on board. Holders of the Start Yachting certificate can go on to complete the Competence Crew course in a reduced time of three days or two weekends

Pre-course experience

    none

Assumed knowledge

    none

Minimum duration

   two days

Minimum age

    none

Course content

    The yacht, ropework, underway,

    rules of the road, man overboard recovery,

    clothing and equipment, Emergency

    equipment and precautions, meteorology;

Ability after the course

    Basic knowledge of yachting.



«essential navigation & seamanship» [shorebased]

The course has been available in the classroom for a few years, but now it is possible to take it online too through our RYA Interactive e-learning site. However you decide to take the course, it offers a great introduction to navigation and safety awareness for new, inexperienced or rusty skippers and crew. This course is for anyone interested in sailing, motor boating, sea angling or diving, and works well in complementing our on-the-water training, such as the Powerboat Level 2, Start Yachting and Helmsman courses. This is a highly informative course with lots of opportunities for you to put your new found knowledge into practice. If you decide to take the course online, you will find many interactive exercises to help reinforce the information and lots of chances to try out what you’ve learned. In the classroom, the course is taught over 16 hours with exercises to complete along the way. It can be covered as a series of short sessions or over two full days. You will receive a course pack which includes a chart, plotter, dividers, course handbook, exercises and an electronic chart plotter CD

course topics include

 

Charts and publications;
Safety;
Engine checks;
Buoyage;
Tidal awareness;
Visual and electronic navigation;
Pilotage;
Rules of the road;
Anchoring;
Weather forecasts;
Passage planning;

 

 



«competent crew» [practical]

This course is for beginners and those who would like to become active crew members rather than just passengers

Experience living on board and really get to know the boat. Virtually all the course is hands on. You are the crew - without you the sails won’t go up and the boat won’t be steered. By the end of the course you should be able to steer, handle sails, keep a lookout, row a dinghy and assist in all the day to day duties on board. You should also have visited some interesting places and had an enjoyable holiday

Pre-course experience

    none

Assumed knowledge

    none

Minimum duration

    5 days. Often run over 3 weekends or 3 days

    plus a weekend. If you hav done the Start

    Yachting course, this course can be

    completed in 3 or 4 days;

Minimum age

    none

Course content

    Knowledge of sea terms and parts of a boat,

    her rigging and sails, sail handling, ropework,

    fire precautions and fighting, personal safety

    equipment, man overboard, emergency

    equipment, meteorology, seasickness,

    helmsmanship, general duties, manners

    and customs, rules of the road, dinghies;

Ability after the course

    Able to steer, handle sails, keep a lookout,

    row a dinghy and assist in all the day to day

    routines.



«day skipper» [shorebased]

This course covers the prescribed syllabus for the award of the RYA Day Skipper shorebased certificate

The Day Skipper Course is designed primarily for: • Students who are new to sailing; • Students with dinghy or a little crewing experience; • Boatowners who have yet to make extended passages at sea; Course material includes charts , Admiralty and RYA publications, personal tuition, RYA Day Skipper shorebased assessment and certificate

Pre-course experience

    none

Assumed knowledge

    We assume no previous knowledge and

    each opic is fully explained and illustrated

    as it is introduced.;

Minimum duration

    Course can be completed in 40 hours,

    at 8 hours it can be completed in 5 days;

Course content

    Beginning with simple chartwork and nautical

    erminology, the course progresses through to

    tidal predictions, buoyage recognition,

    position fixing (including GPS), steering

    and sailing rules, weather patterns, and

    navigation in fog and at night. The emphasis

    throughout the course is upon personal

    safety, including the use of man-overboard

    equipment, lifejackets, flares, HF and GMDSS;

► Ability after the course

    As the course draws to a conclusion, all these

    subjects are combined in a demonstration of

    practical passage planning, giving sufficient

    knowledge for conducting your own coastal

    passage or similar passage.



«day skipper» [practical]

Our RYA Day Skipper training will guide you through preparation for sea, deck work, navigation, pilotage, and meteorology. Learn the rules of the road, maintenance and repair work, engines, and how to cope in emergency situations. The exciting part comes when you start learning how to handle the yacht, both under sail and under power. Passage making and night cruising are highlights of the RYA Day Skipper course

Pre-course experience

    5 days sea time, 100 miles, 4 night hours;

Assumed knowledge

   Navigation to day Skipper Shorebased

    and basic sailing ability;

Minimum duration

    5 days;

Minimum age

    16 years;

Course content

    Basic Pilotage, boat handling,

    watch organisation;

Ability after the course

    Skipper a small yacht

    in familiar waters by day.



«coastal skipper & yachtmaster® offshore» [shorebased]

This course covers the prescribed syllabus for the award of the RYA | MCA Yachtmaster® Coastal | Yachtmaster® shorebased certificate

The format of the course is such that the introductory modules act as a refresher on the basic concepts of navigation. However, it is too brief to be of value to the complete beginner and is intended to assist those whose knowledge has become a bit rusty. Course material includes: • charts • Admiralty and RYA publications  • personal tuition • RYA/MCA Coastal Skipper | Yachtmaster® Offshore shorebased assessment and certificate

Pre-course experience

    People who have previously complete

    a Day Skipper theory course;

Assumed knowledge

    People who have sufficient knowledge

    to be able to plot EPs, CTS, calculate

    secondary port tidal heights and

    interpolate tidal streams;

Minimum duration

    Courses takes 40-45 hours of study ;

Course content

    Navigational techniques are refined

    and expanded upon and whilst chartwork

    (including electronic aids) and tidal

    factors are studied to an advanced level,

    the emphasis is upon the practical

    knowledge required to become a skilled

    offshore skipper. Safety is stressed

    throughout with emphasis on collision

    regulations, interpreting weather forecasts,

    boat handling and coping with emergencies,

    concludes the course at an internationally

    recognised level of competence.



«coastal skipper» [practical]

Advanced skippering techniques for yachtsmen and women with considerable knowledge of sailing and navigation,

wanting to undertake coastal passages by day and night

Like the Day Skipper course, this course consists of skippered passages in a variety of situations. Each trainee will skipper more challenging passages and learn more about passage planning, pilotage by day and night, boat handling, safety and emergency situations. It is a satisfying but intensive week, with candidates often working towards a Certificate of Competence.

Most centres will expect you to complete the Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaster® Offshore shorebased course beforehand as there is insufficient time to teach you theory during the week. Coastal Skippers should be able to undertake more difficult passages by day and night and handle the yacht in more demanding conditions. By the end of the course you should have the knowledge, if not the experience, to become a Yachtmaster®. The course can be taken in tidal or non-tidal waters and your certificate will be endorsed accordingly

Pre-course experience

    15 days, 2 days as skipper,

    300 miles, 8 night hours;

Assumed knowledge

    Boat handling to the standard of Day Skipper

    and navigation to shorebased Coastal;

Minimum duration | age

    5 days | 17 years;

Course content

    Passage planning, Preparation for sea,

    Pilotage, Passage making and ability as

    skipper, Yacht handling under power,

    Yacht handling under sail, Adverse weather

    conditions, Emergency situations;

Ability after the course

    Able to skipper a yacht on coastal

    passages by day and night.



«yachtmaster® ocean» [shorebased]

This course covers the prescribed syllabus for the award of the RYA/MCA Yachtmaster® Ocean shorebased certificate

When out of sight of land for prolonged periods we can no longer depend on the comforting presence of traditional+ navigational marks, and so we have to rely on the sun, moon and stars as well as electronic aids to find our position and maintain our intended ocean route. Whilst looking at both these aspects of navigation this course concentrates on astronavigation by observation of all the celestial bodies 

Assumed knowledge

    No advanced mathematics is involved

    nor is the possession of a sextant required.

    Assuming a prior knowledge of coastal

    navigation, the recognition of the stars

    and navigational planets is explained

    together with the use of a sextant;

Minimum duration

    Course can be completed in as little

    as four weeks. On average, at 4 hours

    a week it could take 5 - 6 months

    to complete. Full tutor support

    is provided for 12 months;

Course content

    Electronic instrumentation, now in everyday

    use, is a vital part of the course. Meteorology

    and climatology, and the planning of ocean

    passages, complete the syllabus.

    Course material includes: • extracts from the

    Nautical Almanac • practice astronomical

    tables • personal tuition (including assessment

    papers) • RYA/MCA Yachtmaster® Ocean

    shorebased assessment and certificate.



«RYA yachtmaster® coastal» [certificate of competence]

The Yachtmaster® Coastal has the knowledge needed to skipper a yacht on coastal cruises but does not necessarily

have the experience needed to undertake longer passages

Full details of the exam requirements |  syllabus are shown in the RYA’s Sail Cruising Logbook (code G15) and the Motor Cruising Logbook (code G18), both available from the RYA webshop. Yachtmaster® Coastal practical exams can be taken under sail or power and your certificate will be endorsed accordingly;

The candidate or a training centre provides the boat and the RYA provides an examiner. The exam will include: • assessment of your skippering  skills • boat handling • navigation • general seamanship • safety awareness and knowledge of the IRPCS (collision regulations) • meteorology and signals;

Candidates will be set tasks to demonstrate their ability and may also be asked questions on any part of the syllabus for all practical and shore-based courses up to Yachtmaster® Coastal level

exam pre-requisites

Minimum seatime

    30 days, 2 days as skipper, 800 miles,

    12 night hours (if you hold the Coastal

    Skipper course certificate this is reduced

    to 20 days, 2 days as skipper, 400 miles,

    12 night hours). Half the qualifying sea

    time must be conducted in tidal waters;

Form of exam

    Practical;

Certification required

    A restricted (VHF only) Radio Operators

    Certificate or a GMDSS Short Range

    Certificate or higher grade of marine

    radio certificate. A valid first aid certificate

    (first aid qualifications held by Police,

    Fire and Armed Services are acceptable).

    All candidates are required to hold

    a first aid certificate. Acceptable certificates

    include the RYA’s First Aid Certificate,

    First Aid at Work, First Aid at Sea,

    or any other certificate issued on completion

    of a course which is a minimum of one day’s

    duration, recognised by the Health and Safety

    Executive and includes the treatment of

    ypothermia, cold shock and drowning;

Minimum exam duration

    6-10 hours for 1 candidate,

    8-14 hours for 2 candidates;

Minimum age

    17 years.



«RYA yachtmaster® offshore» [certificate of competence]

The Yachtmaster® Offshore is competent

to skipper a cruising yacht on any passage during which the yacht is no more than 150 miles from Harbour 

Full details of the exam requirements |  syllabus are shown in the RYA’s Sail and Motor Cruising Logbook (code G158), available from the RYA webshop. Yachtmaster® Offshore practical exams can be taken under sail or power and your certificate will be endorsed accordingly. There is no formal training course leading up to the exam, but those who have not previously taken RYA courses often find it useful to book themselves in for some informal training at an RYA centre prior to their exam. This training can be tailor-made to your specific needs and helps to fill any gaps in your knowledge that may become apparent

exam pre-requisites

Minimum seatime

    50 days, 2,500 miles including at least

    5 passages over 60 miles measured along

    the rhumb line from the port of departure

    to the destination, acting as skipper for

    at least two of these passages and including

    two which have involved overnight passages.

    5 days experience as skipper. At least half

    this mileage and passages must be in tidal

    waters. All qualifying seatime must be

    within 10 years prior to the exam;

Form of exam

    Practical;

Certification required

    A restricted (VHF only) Radio Operators

    Certificate or a GMDSS Short Range

    Certificate or higher grade of marine

    radio certificate. A valid first aid certificate

    (first aid qualifications held by Police,

    Fire and Armed Services are acceptable).

    All candidates are required to hold

    a first aid certificate. Acceptable certificates

    include the RYA’s First Aid Certificate,

    First Aid at Work, First Aid at Sea,

    or any other certificate issued on completion

    of a course which is a minimum of one day’s

    duration, recognised by the Health and Safety

    Executive and includes the treatment of

    ypothermia, cold shock and drowning;

Minimum exam duration

    8-12 hours for 1 candidate,

    10-18 hours for 2 candidates.

    No more than two candidates can be

    examined in 24 hours and no more

    than four candidates can be examined

    in one 2 day session;

Minimum age

    18 years.



«RYA yachtmaster® ocean» [oral exam]

A person holding a Yachtmaster® Ocean qualification is experienced

and competent to skipper a yacht on passages of any length in all parts of the world 

The Yachtmaster®Ocean exam is an oral and written test of your knowledge of ocean passage making including planning, navigation, worldwide meteorology, crew management, yacht preparation, maintenance and repairs. You will also be questioned on your sights taken at sea during an ocean passage 

exam pre-requisites

Minimum seatime

    Ocean passage as skipper or mate of watch.

    The candidate was fully involved in the

    planning of the passage, including selection of

    the route, the navigational plan, checking the

    material condition of the yacht and her

    equipment, storing spare gear, water and

    victuals and organising the watch-keeping

    routine; During the passage a minimum

    non-stop distance of 600 miles must have

    been run by the log, the yacht must have

    been at sea continuously for at least 96 hours

    and the yacht must have been more than

    50 miles from land or charted objects while

    sailing a distance of at least 200 miles.

    All qualifying seatime must be within 10 years

    prior to the exam;

Form of exam

    Oral and written assessment of sights

    take at sea. If you hold the Yachtmaster®

    Ocean shorebased certificate you are exempt

    from the written assessment;

Certification required

    A GMDSS Short Range Certificate (SRC)

    or higher grade of marine radio certificate.

    A valid first aid certificate (first aid

    qualifications held by Police, Fire and Armed

    Services are acceptable). All candidates are

    required to hold a first aid certificate.

    Acceptable certificates include the RYA’s First

    Aid Certificate, First Aid at Work, First Aid

    at Sea, or any other certificate issued on

    completion of a course which is a minimum

    of one day’s duration, recognised by

    the Health and Safety Executive and includes

    the treatment of ypothermia, cold shock and

    drowning;

Minimum exam duration

    Approximately 1.5 hours;

Minimum age 18 years.


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