Day Skipper Theory
A comprehensive shorebased course covering navigation, meteorology, safety, pilotage, GPS and chart plotters. Essential theory required before or alongside the Day Skipper practical course. Can be taken in a classroom over a series of evenings/weekends or online.
Ideal for those with some crewing experience (e.g. completed RYA Competent Crew) who want to understand what’s happening behind the Skipper’s decisions. Perfect preparation for anyone heading into the Day Skipper Practical, or for those who simply want to navigate and read the weather with confidence.
Navigation and Chartwork
Position fixing, plotting a course to steer, and using charts, plotters and dividers.
Tides
Reading tide tables, tidal heights, and using tidal streams and diamonds in passage planning.
Meteorology
Interpreting shipping forecasts, the Beaufort Scale, and what weather means for a day’s boating.
Collision Regulations
IRPCS, lights, shapes, sounds, buoyage systems.
Passage Planning
Preparing a navigational plan for short coastal passages, factoring in weather, tide and pilotage.
Safety and Seamanship
Safety equipment, life jackets and harnesses, and emergency procedures.
Instruction by an RYA-qualified instructor.
Full course pack: RYA charts, dividers, and course notes.
Use of classroom facilities and navigation equipment.
Accommodation included for duration of course.
RYA Day Skipper Shorebased certificate.
All course related materials and fees.
Some practical sailing experience is desirable but not essential. No prior navigation knowledge is required.
OutcomeBy the end of the course, you will have the navigation, tidal, and meteorological knowledge to plan and navigate your vessel on short passages. Most importantly, you’ll be ready to step aboard for the RYA Day Skipper Practical Course.
Nautical Terms
- Parts of a boat and hull
- General nautical terminology
Ropework
- Knowledge of the properties of synthetic ropes in common use
Anchorwork
- Characteristics of different types of anchor
- Factors to take into account when anchoring
Safety
- Knowledge of the safety equipment to be carried, its stowage and use (see E-G103 RYA Boat Safety Handbook)
- Fire precautions and firefighting
- Use of personal safety equipment, harnesses and life jackets
- Knowledge of various methods of sending a distress signal, particularly by VHF DSC radio
- Basic knowledge of rescue procedures including helicopter rescue
- Stability
International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea
- Steering and sailing rules (5, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 12-19)
- General rules (all other rules)
Definition of Position, Course and Speed
- Latitude and longitude
- Satellite derived positions and information
- Knowledge of standard navigational terms
- True bearings and courses
- The knot
Navigational Charts and Publications
- Information shown on charts, chart symbols and representation of direction and distance
- Navigational publications in common use
- Chart corrections
Navigational Drawing Instruments
- Use of parallel rulers/plotters, dividers and proprietary plotting instruments
Compass
- Application of variation
- Awareness of deviation and its causes
- Use of hand-bearing compass
Chartwork and Navigation – Traditional and Electronic
- Dead reckoning and estimated position including an awareness of leeway
- Lines of position and their relative accuracy
- Use of Electronic Navigation Systems for position monitoring
- Shaping a course
Tides and Tidal Streams
- Tidal definitions, levels and datum
- Tide tables and other sources of tidal height data
- Use of Admiralty method of determining tidal height at standard port
- Awareness of corrections for secondary ports
- Sources of tidal stream information
Visual Aids to Navigation
- Lighthouses and beacons, light characteristics
Meteorology
- Sources of meteorological forecasts and 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
Passage Planning
- Preparation of a navigational plan for short coastal passages
- Meteorological considerations in planning short coastal passages
- Use of waypoints on a passage
- Importance of confirmation of position by an independent source
- Keeping a navigational record
Navigation in Restricted Visibility
- Precautions to be taken in, and limitations imposed by, fog
Pilotage
- Use of transits, leading lines and clearing lines
- IALA system of buoyage (Regions A & B)
- Use of sailing directions
- Pilotage plans and harbour entry
Marine Environment
- Responsibility for avoiding pollution and protecting the marine environment
