RYA Essential Navigation & Seamanship

This course offers a great introduction to navigation and safety awareness for new or inexperienced skippers and crew and those wanting to refresh their skills. In fact, it is for anyone interested in sailing, motor boating, sea angling or diving and works well in complementing RYA on-the-water training.

It is a highly informative course with lots of opportunities for you to put your new found knowledge into practice.

Normal delivery will take place in the evenings, 3 hours per week for 8 weeks

Course Structure

Charts, publications and terms – Basic terms, chart overview, introduction to chart datum and depths.

Buoyage – Lateral buoys, cardinal buoys, where to find information.

Navigation – Plotting a position, measuring distance and bearing, position fix, heading.

Safety – Personal and boat safety equipment, safety procedures and briefing, communications, engine checks, rescue procedures.

Anchoring – Where to anchor, how to anchor.

Tides – Tidal streams, tidal heights.

Electronic navigation – GPS terms, GPS use, using waypoints.

Rules of the road – Risk of collision, who gives way.

Weather forecasts – Sources of forecast, terms used in forecasting.

Pilotage – Harbour information, transits, pilotage plan.

Passage planning – SOLAS V requirements, pre-planning, chart choice.

Each participant will receive a course pack which includes a chart, plotter, dividers, course handbook, exercises and an electronic chart plotter CD.

Useful Information

Entry requirements:

An interest in boats, nothing more! Ideally participants should be at least 16 years of age but there is no formal age restriction.

The course is taught over 24 hours in total with exercises to complete along the way.