RYA Competent Crew

Learn to sail while living on board and getting to know the boat. Virtually all the course is hands on. You are the competent crew – without you the sails won’t go up and the boat won’t be steered.

The course is 5 days but is often run over 3 weekends or 3 days plus a weekend. If you have done the Start Yachting course, this course can be completed in 3 or 4 days.

Course Structure

Knowledge of sea terms and parts of a boat, her rigging and sails

- Sufficient knowledge to understand orders given concerning the sailing and day to day running of the boat

Sail handling

-Bending on, setting, reefing and handling of sails

Use of sheets and halyards and their associated winches

Ropework

-Handling ropes, including coiling, stowing, securing to cleats and single and double bollards

- Handling warps

- Ability to tie the following knots and to know their correct use :figure of eight, clove hitch, rolling hitch, bowline, round turn and two half hitches, single and double sheet bend, reef knot.

Fire precautions and firefighting

-Awareness of the hazards of fire and the precautions necessary to prevent fire

- Knowledge of the action to be taken in the event of fire

Personal safety equipment

-Understands and complies with the rules for the wearing of safety harnesses, lifejackets and personal buoyancy aids.

Man overboard

-Understands the action to be taken to recover a man overboard

Emergency equipment

-Can operate distress flares and knows when they should be used

- Understands how to launch and board a liferaft

Manners and customs

-Understands accepted practice with regards to:-

-Use of burgees and ensigns, prevention of unnecessary noise or disturbance in harbour including courtesies to other craft berthed.

- Awareness of responsibilities of yacht skippers to protect the environment

Rules of the road

- Is able to keep an efficient lookout at sea

Dinghies

- Understands and complies with the loading rules

- Is able to handle a dinghy under oars

Meteorology

- Awareness of forecasting services and knowledge of the Beaufort scale

Seasickness

- Working ability is unaffected / partially affected / severely affected by seasickness

Helmsmanship and sailing

- Understands the basic principles of sailing and can steer and trim sails on all points of sailing

- Can steer a compass course, under sail and power

General duties

- Has carried out general duties satisfactorily on deck and below decks in connection with the daily routine of the vessel.

Useful Information

Previous Experience:- No previous RYA training or experience is required.

Assumed Knowledge:- The RYA competent crew course is designed for complete beginners who want to learn to sail. No previous knowledge is assumed.

Minimum Age:- 14