RYA Day Skipper Theory - Solent Training Base In Southampton
The RYA Day Skipper theory course is the essential stepping stone to the RYA motor and sail cruising practical courses. With courses running in Southampton and then a discounts is then available for your practical Day Skipper course because you would be an existing student of Coastal Pursuits.
This 5 day course is run in either of 2 formats. Firstly there is the intensive 5 day block, secondly is the pair of consecutive weekends with the Monday following the last weekend being the 5th day. Both formats cost an all inclusive £299 per student.
We are also able to offer the practical motor and sail day skipper courses on our own fleet of cruisers based all around the Solent, so choose a base that works the best for you or where the course dates suit your own calendar.
Combined Day Skipper Theory & Practical Courses
Why not buy your RYA day skipper theory and practical courses together in order to receive a further discount. You can select any theory and practical course running at any of our training centres. Just click below to buy your course then select your courses dates when your ready.
RYA Day Skipper Theory Course Content
1. Nautical terms
Parts of a boat and hull
General nautical terminology
2. Ropework
Knowledge of the properties of synthetic ropes in common use
3. Anchorwork
Characteristics of different types of anchor
Considerations to be taken into account when anchoring
4. Safety
Knowledge of the safety equipment to be carried, its stowage and use
Fire precautions and fire fighting
Use of personal safety equipment, harnesses and lifejackets.
Ability to send a distress signal by VHF radio.
Basic knowledge of rescue procedures including helicopter rescue
5. International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea
Steering and sailing rules (5,7,8,9,10 and 12-19)
General rules (all other rules)
6. Definition of position, course and speed
Latitude and longitude
Knowledge of standard navigational terms
True bearings and courses
The knot
7. Navigational charts and publications
Information shown on charts, chart symbols and representation of direction and distance
Navigational publications in common use
Chart correction
8. Navigational drawing instruments
Use of parallel rulers, dividers and proprietary plotting instruments
9. Compass
Application of variation
Awareness of deviation and its causes
Use of hand-bearing compass
10. Chartwork
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
11. Tides and tidal streams
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
12. Visual aids to navigation
Lighthouses and beacons, light characteristics
13. Meteorology
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
14. Passage planning
Preparation of navigational plan for short coastal passages.
Meteorological considerations in planning short coastal passages
Use of waypoints on passaged
Importance of confirmation of position by an independent source
Keeping a navigational
15. Navigation in restricted visibility
Precautions to be taken in and limitations imposed by fog
16. Pilotage
Use of transits, leading lines and clearing lines
IALA system of buoyage for Region A
Use of sailing directions
Pilotage plans and harbour entry
17. Marine environment
Responsibility for avoiding pollution and protecting the marine environment