RYA Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaster Offshore Theory

This course provides advanced training for experienced skippers building on the Day Skipper course and will equip you to navigate safely on coastal and offshore passages. It will take your theory knowledge to the standard required for the YachtmasterTM Coastal and YachtmasterTM Offshore practical examinations, concentrating on advanced navigation and meteorology skills.

As with the Day Skipper shorebased course, the RYA’s specially designed chart plotter software will be used during the course to give you a realistic taste of modern electronic navigation.

Normal delivery will take place in the evenings, 3 hours per week over a period of 16 weeks.

Course Structure

Position fixing.

Course shaping and plotting.

Tidal knowledge.

Use of almanacs and admiralty publications.

Electronic position finding equipment.

Taking and interpreting forecasts.

Plotting weather systems.

Weather predictions using a barometer and by observation.

Collision regulations.

Customs and excise regulations for cruising abroad.

It allows some time for revision of the basics and then moves on to advanced navigation techniques.

Useful Information

Participants must have completed the RYA ‘Day Skipper’ course. Ideally participants should be at least 16 years of age but there is no formal age restriction.

The course is taught over 48 hours with participants having to pass three examination papers.