spacer.gif (1x8 -- 0 bytes)
 spacer.gif (2x1 -- 43 bytes)
sail_banner.jpg (483x100 -- 6687 bytes)
 View Cart spacer.gif (1x10 -- 0 bytes)
British Offshore Sailing School
spacer.gif (1x1 -- 43 bytes)

spacer.gif (10x1 -- 43 bytes)

Home > Sailing Courses > RYA Practical > RYA Coastal Skipper Practical Course > RYA Coastal Skipper Syllabus

Coastal Skipper Practical Course Syllabus - Tidal

The aim of the course is to teach the skills and techniques required to skipper a yacht safely on coastal and offshore passages by day and night. 

1. Passage planning

·          Can plan a coastal passage including a consideration of the capability of the yacht, navigation, victualling, weather, ports of refuge, tidal heights and tidal streams, publications required and strategy

·          Knows Customs procedures 

2. Preparation for sea

·          Is aware of safety equipment required for offshore passages

·          Can prepare a yacht for sea including stowage, safety briefing, watch keeping, delegating responsibilities and equipment and engine checks 

3. Pilotage

·          Can prepare a pilotage plan, with consideration of soundings, transits, clearing bearings, buoyage, port or harbour regulations and tidal considerations

·          Can pilot a yacht by day and night

4. Passage making and ability as skipper

·          Can take charge of a yacht and direct the crew.

·          Can organise the navigation, clockwork and domestic duties of a yacht on passage

·          Is aware of the significance of meteorological trends

·          Is aware of crew welfare on passage

·          Can use electronic navigational equipment for planning and undertaking a passage, including the use of waypoints and routes 

5. Yacht handling under power

·          Can control the yacht effectively in a confined space under power

·          All berthing and unberthing situations in various conditions of wind and tide 

6. Yacht handling under sail

·          Can use the sails to control the yacht in a confined space

·          Anchoring and mooring in various conditions of wind and tide

·          Can sail efficiently on all points of sailing 

7. Adverse weather conditions

·          Preparation for heavy weather and yacht handling in strong winds

·          Navigation and general conduct in restricted visibility 

8. Emergency situations

·          Recovery of man overboard under power and sail

·          Understands action to be taken when abandoning to the liferaft and during helicopter and lifeboat rescues