Syllabus

Nautical terms:

• Parts of a boat and hull, and General nautical terminology

Ropework:

• Knowledge of the properties of synthetic ropes in common use

Anchor work:

• Characteristics of different types of anchor
• Considerations to be taken into account when anchoring

Safety:

• Knowledge of the safety equipment to be carried, its stowage and use
• Fire precautions and fire fighting.
• Use of personal safety equipment, harnesses and lifejackets.
• Ability to send a distress signal by VHF radiotelephone.
• Basic knowledge of rescue procedures including helicopter rescue.

International regulations for preventing collisions at sea:

• Steering and sailing rules (5,7,8,9,10 and 12-19)
• General rules (all other rules)

Navigation:

• Definition of position, course and speed.
• Latitude and longitude.
• Knowledge of standard navigational terms
• True bearings and courses
• The knot
• Navigational charts and publications
• Information shown on charts, chart symbols and representation of direction and distance- Navigational publications in common use. - Chart correction
• Navigational drawing instruments
• Use of parallel rulers, dividers and proprietary plotting instruments

Compass:

• Application of variation - Awareness of deviation and its causes
• Use of handbearing compass

Chartwork:

• Dead reckoning and estimated position including awareness of leeway
• Techniques of visual fixing - Satellite derived positions
• Use of waypoints to fix position - Course to steer

Tides and tidal streams:

• Tidal definitions, levels and datum - Tide tables
• Use of Admiralty method of determining tidal height at standard port and awareness of corrections for secondary ports
• Use of tidal diamonds and tidal stream atlases for chartwork

Visual aids to navigation:

• Lighthouses and beacons, light characteristics

Meteorology:

• Sources of broadcast meteorological information
• Knowledge of terms used in shipping forecasts, including the Beaufort scale and their significance to small craft
• Basic knowledge of highs, lows and fronts

Passage planning:

• Preparation of navigational plan for short coastal passages
• Meteorological considerations in planning short coastal passages
• Use of waypoints on passage
• Importance of confirmation of position by an independent source
• Keeping a navigational record

Navigation in restricted visibility:

• Precautions to be taken in and limitations imposed by fog

Pilotage:

• Use of transits, leading lines and clearing lines. IALA buoyage for region A Use of sailing directions. - Pilotage plans and harbour entry

Marine environment :

• Responsibility for avoiding pollution and protecting the marine environment

Award

RYA Day Skipper Shorebased certificate.

Options

An intensive non-residential course available over five days commencing Monday at 0930 hrs or over two weekends (one 3 day and one 2 day) commencing Saturday at 0930 hrs, again non-residential [local accommodation is available] or evening classes spread over 20 weeks during the winter months.

Dates

Evening Class

Wed 01st Oct 2008

5 day course

Mon 04th Aug 2008

Mon 22nd Sep 2008

Mon 13th Oct 2008

Mon 03rd Nov 2008

2 weekend course

Sat 05th Jul 2008 and Sat 19th Jul 2008

Sat 16th Aug 2008 and Sat 30th Aug 2008

Sat 04th Oct 2008 and Sat 18th Oct 2008

Sat 15th Nov 2008 and Sat 29th Nov 2008