RYA Yachtmaster Offshore/Coastal Skipper Theory

RYA Yachtmaster Offshore Shorebased Course Overview

The RYA Yachtmaster Offshore Shorebased Course provides background knowledge on how to skipper a yacht on coastal passages by day & night. The RYA Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaster theory course is an advanced course that builds on the RYA Day Skipper Theory Course. For sailors and motor boaters looking to undertake more complex passages offshore or at night. This course supports those looking to take the RYA Coastal Skipper, Yachtmaster Offshore, Advance Powerboat practical exams.

RYA Yachtmaster Offshore Shorebased Course Prerequisites

Your knowledge needs to be at the level of Day Skipper Shorebased. It is recommended that the Day Skipper theory course is attended prior to the Yachtmaster theory.

RYA Yachtmaster Offshore Shorebased Course Content

Over the 6 days you will cover the following content:

Position

• Dead reckoning and estimated position   
• Satellite-derived position   
• Use of waypoints to fix position   
• Radar fixes   
• Techniques of visual fixing   
• Fixes using a mixture of position lines   
• Relative accuracy of different methods of position fixing   
• Area of uncertainty   

The Magnetic Compass

• Allowance for variation   
• Change of variation with time and position   
• Causes of deviation   
• Swing for deviation (but not correction)   
• Allowance for deviation   
• Different types of compass   

Tides

• Causes of tide – Springs and Neaps   
• Tide tables – sources   
• Tidal levels and datum   
• Standard and secondary ports   
• Tide anomalies (Solent, etc.)   

Tidal Streams

• Sources of tidal information   
• Tidal stream information in sailing directions and Yachtsmen’s 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 Region A   
• 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   

GPS and Chart Plotters

• Principles of operation and limitations of use   
• Raster and vector charts   
• Datum   
• Importance of confirmation of position by an independent source and keeping a separate record of position   
• Importance of paper charts   

Echo Sounders

• Principles of operation and limitations of use   

Logs (speed and distance measuring)

• Principles of operation limitations of use   

Deck Log

• Importance of log as yacht’s official document   
• Layout of log, hourly and occasional entries   

Meteorology

• Basic terms, the Beaufort scale b. Air masses c. Cloud types d. Weather patterns associated with pressure and frontal systems e. Sources of weather forecasts f. Ability to interpret a shipping forecast, weatherfax and weather satellite information g. Land and sea breezes h. Sea fog i. Use of barometer as a forecasting aid.   

Rules of the Road

• Sound knowledge of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, except Annexes 1 and 3   

Safety at Sea

• Personal safety, use of lifejackets, safety harnesses and lifelines   
• Fire prevention and fire fighting   
• Distress signals   
• Coastguard and Boat Safety Scheme   
• Preparation for heavy weather   
• Liferafts and helicopter rescue   
• Understanding of capabilities of the vessel and basic knowledge of stability   

Navigation in Restricted Visibility

• Precautions to be taken in fog   
• Limitations to safe navigation imposed by fog   
• Navigation in poor visibility   

Passage Planning

• Preparation of charts and notebook for route planning and making, and use 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   
  

What's Included In The RYA Yachtmaster Offshore Shorebased Course

• Instruction     
• 2 RYA Training Charts     
• RYA Yachtmaster Shorebased Handbook 
• RYA Yachtmaster Exercises publication 
• Use of plotter, dividers and training almanac whilst at the training centre    
• RYA Yachtmaster Shorebased Certificate   
  

RYA Yachtmaster Offshore/Coastal Skipper Theory and Commercial Endorsements

The Yachtmaster Offshore/Coastal Skipper Theory is one of the shore-based navigation certificates used as a prerequisite to endorse a Day Skipper Practical certificate commercially.

A prerequisite of any Certificate of Competence is that your knowledge is to the standard of the Yachtmaster Offshore/Coastal Skipper Theory. The only sure way to know that you are at the required level is by completing the course. 

To learn more about Commercial Endorsements, visit the link below.

Booking Information