RYA Day Skipper Practical Course

5 days aboard a yacht, including 100 miles sailed and 4 night hours.

You will also be required to have assumed knowledge of theory to the level of RYA Day Skipper, and be able to understand and calculate the following:

• Calculate tidal heights using standard port graphs
• Convert true bearings in to compass bearing applying variation and deviation
• Work out a course to steer applying tidal set and drift
• Work out an estimated position applying course steered, distance travelled, estimated tidal set and drift and leeway
• Construct a passage plan for a short coastal passage, including pilotage plans for harbour exit and entry

Please be aware that the instructor will test you on this level of knowledge.

It is recommended you attend the RYA Day Skipper shorebased course beforehand.

Minimum Age: 16

RYA Day skipper Practical Certification.

The Day Skipper course syllabus is taught in a ratio of (5:1) students to instructor and covers the following:

Preparation for sea

• Ability to prepare a yacht for sea, including engine checks, selection of sails, securing and stowage of all gear on deck and below

Deck work

• A reef, shake out reef and change sails to suit prevailing conditions
• Can prepare and 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

• 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
• Understand the use of leading and clearing lines
• Use of transits and soundings as aids to pilotage

Meteorology

• Know sources of forecast information
• Can interpret shipping forecast and use a barometer as a forecasting aid

Rules of the road

• Working knowledge of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea

Maintenance and repair work

• Ability to understand and carry out maintenance tasks
• Understand the properties and uses of common synthetic fibre ropes

Engines

• Understand how to change fuel and water filters, pump impeller and to bleed the fuel system

Victualling

• Understand how to victual a yacht

Emergency situations

• Ability to take correct action as a skipper for recovery of man overboard
• Understand distress flares and how to use a life raft
• Can operate a radiotelephone in an emergency and send a distress message
• Understand how to secure a tow
• Understand 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 mooring buoy and anchor under sail in 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