RYA Day Skipper Theory

There are no pre-course requirements for the RYA Day Skipper theory course but some sailing knowledge is helpful. Ideally some sailing experience on an RYA practical course such as competent crew or some dinghy sailing is sufficient but not essential.

The Day skipper includes the RYA pack containing practice charts, the RYA Chart Plotter Simulator, the RYA Day Skipper course notes, the RYA practice almanac, RYA Day Skipper question paper and a Yachtmaster Ocean Instructor online to help. Moreover, we include a free Bretton type plotter and a pair of brass dividers so all you need to add is a pencil and rubber.

Syllabus for the RYA Day Skipper online theory course

Seamanship:- includes parts of the boat, types of warp, knots, chain, anchoring, tying up, preparation for sea and port or starboard tack.

Introduction to chart work:- chart Familiarisation, points of the compass, latitude and longitude, position of an object, using a Portland type plotter, finding position on a chart.

Tidal heights and streams:- what causes tides, terminology, tidal height calculations, using tide tables, using the tidal curve, introduction to secondary ports, tidal streams using tidal diamonds and the tidal stream atlas.

Position fixing:-, compass variation, compass deviation, position fixing using various methods, dead reckoning and estimated position.

Course to steer:- How to plot a course to steer taking into account tidal flow and leeway, how to maintain an accurate ground track.

GPS:- Abbreviations and terminology, how to use a GPS, raster and vector charts and updating charts.

Buoyage and pilotage:- Available information, identification of buoys and their lights and shapes, using forward and back bearings, using tidal graphs.

Safety:- Safety briefs, mayday and rescue, life jackets, abandon ship, actions in fog and radar reflectors.

Meteorology:- Weather forecasts, weather systems, global effects, local effects, highs and lows and sources of weather information.

Passage planning:- Puts everything together to form a plan for a safe passage taking into account pilotage for entering and leaving marinas and tides, conditions and wind direction for the main passage.

Collision regulations:- General regulations, lights, shapes, sound signals, collision avoidance, stand on and give way.

Passage making:- Making a longer passage taking into account tidal heights, streams, port entry and exit, weather, ports of refuge, waypoints, crew management and supplies.

The RYA online correspondence courses provide a great alternative for anyone who cannot spare the time to attend an intensive course. These can all be taken in your own time and at your own convenience.

Using the online course you have total control over your speed of learning; when you take the exams and you can learn at any time and anywhere you happen to be, office, home, even when travelling. It can be fitted in around your social life and work routine.

All the study material that you will need to complete your course is included, plus you will get e-mail support from a team of dedicated course tutors.