Syllabus

Position

• Dead reckoning and estimated position
• Satellite derived position
• Use of waypoints to fix position
• Radar fixes
• Techniques of visual fixing
• Fixes using a mixture of position lines
• Relative accuracy of different methods of position fixing
• Areas of uncertainty

The magnetic compass

• Allowance for variation
• Changes of variation with time and position
• Causes of deviation
• Swing for deviation (but not correction)
• Allowance for deviation
• Different types of compass

Tides

• Causes of tides
• Springs and Neaps
• Tide tables
• sources
• Tidal levels and datum
• Standard and secondary ports
• Tidal anomalies (Solent etc)

Tidal streams

• Sources of tidal information
• Tidal stream information in Sailing Directions and Yachtsman's Almanacs
• Allowance for tidal streams in computing a course to steer
• Tide rips, overfalls and races
• Tidal observation buoys, beacons etc

Buoyage

• IALA system buoyage in region A
• Limitations of buoys as navigational aids

Lights

• Characteristics
• Ranges - visual, luminous and nominal
• Rising and dipping distances
• Light lists

Pilotage

• Harbour regulations and control signals
• Methods of preplanning
• Clearing lines
• Use of soundings
• Transits and leading lines

GPS and chartplotters

• Principles of operation and limitations of use
• Raster and vector charts
• Datum
• Importance of confirmation of position by independent source and keeping a separate record of position
• Importance of paper charts

Echo sounders

• Principles of operation and limitations of use

Logs (speed and distance measuring)

• Principles of operation and limitations of use

Deck log

• Importance of log as yachts official document
• Layout of log, hourly and occasional entries

Meteorology

• Basic terms, the Beaufort scale
• Air masses
• Cloud types
• Weather patterns associated with pressure and frontal systems
• Sources of weather forecasts
• Ability to interpret a shipping forecast, weather fax and weather satellite information
• Land and sea breezes
• Sea fog
• Use of barometer as a forecasting aid

Rule of the Road

• A sound knowledge of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, except annexes 1 & 3

Safety at sea

• Personal safety, use of lifejackets, safety harnesses and lifelines
• Fire prevention and fire fighting
• Distress signals
• Coastguard and boat safety scheme
• Preparation for heavy weather
• Liferafts and helicopter rescue
• Understanding of capabilities of vessel and basic knowledge of stability

Navigation in restricted visibility

• Precautions to be taken in fog
• Limitations to safe navigation imposed by fog
• Navigation strategy in poor visibility.

Passage planning

• Preparation of charts and notebook for route planning and making and use at sea
• Customs regulations as they apply to yachts
• Routine for navigating in coastal waters
• Strategy for course laying
• Use of waypoints and routes
• Use of weather forecast information for passage planning strategy
• Sources of local and national regulations

Marine environment

• Responsibility to minimize pollution and protect the marine environment.

Award

RYA/MCA Certificate of Competence at the appropriate level when successful in the practical examination with the option to apply for the Commercial Endorsement.
MCA Approved Engine course 30 hour Certificate

Options

Due to the nature of this training dates and fees are arranged on an individual basis. Many of these courses can be completed at weekends reducing time taken from work.

Dates

Evening Class

Thu 02nd Oct 2008

5 day course

Mon 23rd Jun 2008

Mon 11th Aug 2008

Mon 08th Sep 2008

Mon 20th Oct 2008

Mon 24th Nov 2008

2 weekend course

Fri 05th Sep 2008 and Sat 20th Sep 2008

Sat 08th Nov 2008 and Sat 22nd Nov 2008