RYA Day Skipper

DAY SKIPPER PRACTICAL is intended for those who already have 5 days seatime including 4 night hours sailing and 100 miles and are already at Competent Crew level. The course aim is to teach pilotage, navigation, seamanship and boat handling up to the standard required to skipper a small cruising yacht safely by day in waters with which the student is familiar.

The course builds on basic navigation and sailing skills and is aimed at those with little or no experience of skippering. It assumes the level of theoretical knowledge which would be attained through the Day Skipper Shorebased Course. The Syllabus is broken down into sub paragraphs showing the subjects and skills taught on the Course.

Course Structure

Preparation for sea:

Is able to prepare a yacht for sea, including engine checks, selection of sails, securing and

stowage of all gear on deck and below.

Deck work:

Can reef, shake out reefs and change sails to suit prevailing conditions

Can prepare an anchor, mooring warps and take charge on deck when mooring alongside,

coming to a buoy, anchoring, weighing anchor and slipping from a buoy or an alongside berth.

Navigation:

Is proficient in chartwork and routine navigational duties on passage including:

Taking and plotting visual fixes

Use of electronic navigation equipment for position fixing

Use of waypoints

Working up DR and EP

Estimating tidal heights and tidal streams

Working out course to steer to allow for tidal stream, leeway and drift

Knowledge of IALA buoyage

Maintenance of navigational records

Use of echo sounder and lead line.

Pilotage:

Can prepare and execute a pilotage plan for entry into, or departure from, harbour

Understands the use of leading and clearing lines

Use of transits and soundings as aids to pilotage.

Meteorology:

Knows sources of forecast information

Can interpret shipping forecasts and use a barometer as a forecasting aid.

Rule of the road:

Has a working knowledge of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea.

Maintenance and repair work:

Understands and is able to carry out maintenance tasks.

Knows the properties and uses of common synthetic fibre ropes

Engines:

Knows how to change fuel and water filters, pump impeller and to bleed the fuel system.

Victualling:

Understands how to victual a yacht.