Coastal Skipper / Yachtmaster Theory
The RYA Yachtmaster Theory course is an advanced course in navigation, meteorology and collision regulations for aspiring skippers ready to move beyond familiar waters into coastal and offshore passages by day or night. This shorebased course builds directly on Day Skipper theory, sharpening your navigation and forecasting skills to prepare you for the Coastal Skipper course or Yachtmaster Practical exam.
Ideal for sailors who already hold Day Skipper theory (or equivalent knowledge) and want to progress towards Coastal Skipper or Yachtmaster Offshore. This is a step up in pace and depth – the course revises Day Skipper topics briefly, but assumes you are already comfortable with the basics, so it suits those ready for a more intensive, advanced level of study.
Advanced Navigation
Precision position fixing, course shaping and plotting, and secondary port calculations.
Tides and Tidal Streams
Tidal diamonds, tidal stream atlases, and computation of rates for more complex passages.
Meteorology
Interpreting shipping forecasts, weather facts and satellite information, plotting weather systems, and forecasting from pressure and frontal patterns.
Electronic Navigation
GPS, chartplotters, AIS, and their limitations alongside traditional paper chartwork.
Collision Regulations
A sound working knowledge of IRPCS excluding Annexes 1 and 3.
Passage Planning
Planning and executing offshore and night passages, including navigation in restricted visibility.
Instruction by an RYA-qualified instructor.
Full course pack: RYA Yachtmaster course notes and materials.
Use of classroom facilities and navigation equipment.
Accommodation included for duration of course.
RYA Yachtmaster shorebased certificate.
All course-related materials and fees.
RYA Day Skipper Theory (or equivalent navigational knowledge) is assumed. Practical sailing or motorboat experience to Day Skipper level is also recommended.
OutcomeBy the end of the course, you’ll have the advanced navigation, tidal and meteorological knowledge required for coastal and offshore passages — and you’ll be ready for the RYA Coastal Skipper course or Yachtmaster Offshore practical exam.
Position
- Dead reckoning and estimated position
- Satellite-derived position
- Lines of position and their relative accuracy
- Relative accuracy of different methods of obtaining a position
- Areas of uncertainty
The Magnetic Compass
- Allowance for variation
- Change of variation with time and position
- Causes of deviation
- Compass checks for deviation (but not correction)
- Allowance for deviation
- Different types of compass
Tides
- Causes of tides – springs and neaps
- Sources of tidal height information
- Tidal levels and datum
- Standard and secondary ports
- Tidal anomalies (Solent, etc.)
Tidal Streams
- Sources of tidal information
- Tidal stream information in sailing directions and almanacs
- Allowance for tidal streams in computing a course to steer
- Tide rips, overfalls and races
- Tidal observation buoys, beacons etc.
Buoyage
- IALA system buoyage in Regions A and B
- Limitations of buoys as navigational aids
Lights
- Characteristics
- Ranges – visual, luminous and nominal
- Rising and dipping distances
- Light lists
Pilotage
- Harbour regulations and control signals
- Methods of pre-planning
- Clearing lines
- Use of soundings
- Transits and leading lines
GNSS and Chart Plotters
- Principles of operation and limitations of use
- Raster and vector charts
- Datum
- The importance of position monitoring via an independent source
- The importance of using officially approved navigational charts
Echo Sounders
- Principles of operation and limitations of use
Logs (Speed and Distance Measuring)
- Principles of operation and limitations of use
Deck Log
- The importance of the log as a yacht’s official document
- Layout of log, hourly and occasional entries
Meteorology
- Basic terms, the Beaufort Scale etc.
- Air masses
- Cloud types
- Weather patterns associated with pressure and frontal systems
- Sources of weather forecasts
- Ability to choose and interpret a suitable forecast relevant to an intended passage
- Land and sea breezes
- Sea fog
- Use of a barometer as a forecasting aid
Rules of the Road
- A sound knowledge of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, except Annexes 1 and 3
Safety at Sea
- Personal safety, use of life jackets, safety harnesses and lifelines
- Fire prevention and firefighting
- Distress signals
- Coastguard and Boat Safety Scheme
- Preparation for heavy weather
- Life rafts and helicopter rescue
- Understanding of capabilities of vessel and basic knowledge of stability
Navigation in Restricted Visibility
- Precautions to be taken in fog
- Limitations to safe navigation imposed by fog
- Navigation strategy in poor visibility
Passage Planning
- Preparation of charts and notebook for route planning and for use on passage at sea
- Customs regulations as they apply to yachts
- Routine for navigating in coastal waters
- Strategy for course laying
- Use of waypoints and routes
- Use of weather forecast information for passage planning strategy
- Sources of local and national regulations
Marine Environment
- The responsibility to minimise pollution and protect the marine environment
