RYA Coastal Skipper

5 days in total, can be taken over two weekends or consecutive days. Onboard accommodation is provided for the extent of your course together with diesel costs, berthing fees and all onboard meals. Special dietary requirements are catered for.

The Coastal Skipper course teaches the skills required to skipper a small cruising yacht safely on coastal and offshore passages by day or night. Designed for potential skippers, it is assumed that students wishing to undertake this course are competent sailors with a good knowledge of the theory of navigation and meteorology.

Students are assessed during the duration of the course and certificates of satisfactory completion will not be awarded to those who:-

? are adversely affected by sea sickness to the extent that their ability to skipper a yacht is reduced to a dangerously low level.

? are unable to demonstrate sufficient ability in basic seamanship, navigation and yacht handling to appreciate the technique and skills required to skipper a yacht.

? demonstrate a lack of understanding of any part of the syllabus to the extent that it would be dangerous for them to go to sea as the skipper of a yacht.

Whilst on your course you will be given the opportunity to ‘take charge’ as skipper of the yacht under instruction and you will receive a full debrief during or at the end of each passage. Your instructor will inform you of your progress, strengths and weaknesses throughout the duration of your time on board.

Course Structure

It is recommended that you have previous experience of 15 days sea time, 2 of which as yacht skipper, 300 nautical miles and 8 night hours before undertaking this course. It is not necessary to be in possession of a Coastal Skipper Theory certificate to take the Coastal Skipper Practical although it is assumed that you have the knowledge of navigation to Coastal Skipper theory standard and a practical sailing standard of Day Skipper. The Coastal Skipper Practical (tidal) syllabus is detailed overleaf and will be covered during your time aboard.

Useful Information

October – March - £434

May – September - £480