A Course For Aspiring Skippers
RYA Day Skipper Course – Course Syllabus
The day skipper course is for aspiring skippers with some yachting experience and basic navigation and sailing skills.
Preparation for Sea
- Is able to prepare a yacht for sea, including engine checks, selection of sails, securing the 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, mooing warps and take charge on deck when mooring alongside, coming to a buoy, anchoring, weighing anchor and slipping from a buoy or alongside berth
Navigation
- Is proficient in chart work and routine navigational duties on passage including:
- Tacking and plotting visual fixes
- Use of electronic navigation equipment for position fixing
- Use of way points
- Working up DR and EP
- Estimating tidal heights and tidal streams
- Working out course to steer to allow for tidal steam, 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 & 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
Emergency Situations
- Is able to take correct action as skipper for recovery of man overboard
- Understands distress flares and how to use a liferaft
- Can operate a radiotelephone in an emergency and send a distress message
- Understands how to secure a tow
- Understands rescue procedures including helicopter rescue
Yacht Handling under Power
- Can bring a boat safely to and from an alongside berth, mooring buoy and anchor under various conditions of wind and tide
Yacht Handling under Sail
- Can bring a boat safely to and from a mooing buoy and anchor under various conditions of wind and tide
- Can steer and trim sails effectively on all points of sailing
Passage Making
- Can plan and make a coastal passage, taking account of relevant navigational hazards and limitations imposed by the type of boat and the strength of the crew
Night Cruising
- Has experienced sail cruising at night, including leaving and entering harbour. Understands the special consideration for pilotage plans, keeping a lookout and identifying marks by night.