RYA Competent Crew

The RYA Competent Crew course teaches the basics of yachting in more depth than the RYA Start Yachting course. Students live aboard the yacht for the duration of the course. This is both a training trip and a holiday in one!

The course is a 5-day trip , all expenses and meals onboard are included in the cost of the course. As cruising is supposed to be a relaxing activity, there is time to take it easy and enjoy the journey with at least one evening meal onshore (not included in price, but it won’t be expensive). Visiting different harbours and anchorages, students will enjoy the delights of spending the night on board and sailing under the stars.

At the completion of the course you will be awarded the RYA Competent Crew course completion certificate.

Course Structure

The yacht: basic knowledge of sea terms, parts of a yacht, her rigging and sails

Helmsmanship and sailing: steer a compass course, steer and set sails on all points of sail

Sail handling: setting, reefing and handling

Ropework: handling ropes and warps, tie key knots

Fire precautions and fighting: hazards, action to take

Personal safety equipment:: safety harnesses and lifejackets

Man overboard: actions to recover man overboard

Emergency equipment and precautions: hazards on board, operation of distress flares, launching and boarding liferaft

Rules of the road: keeping an efficient lookout

Manners and customs: flags and burgees, vessel courtesies, protection of the environment

Dinghy: handling under oars, loading rules

Meteorology: where to obtain weather forecast

General duties: daily routine of a vessel

Useful Information

Previous experience required:- None