RYA Coastal Skipper / Yachtmaster Offshore Theory

• Vessel Safety Requirements
• Safety Briefings
• Sea Survival Equipment
• Vessel Stability
• The impact of weather on safety
• Emergency Response
• Actions in Limited visibility

• Interpreting Marine Weather Forecasts.
• Pressure Systems and Weather Patterns.
• Observation of Weather Systems.
• Understanding Local Weather Effects.
• The Impact of Weather on Safety.
• Using Onboard Instruments to Predict Weather.

Charts are the key tool used in navigation. All key jurisdictions still require the use of paper charts as both as on offical reference, and a primary navigtion use. A GPS and chart plotters are legally considered an aid, and we have become overly dependent on them. Would you know how to navigate if your GPS failed.

• Use of the Compass, Variation and Deviation Compensation.
• Position Fixing with Latitude and Longitude.
• Verification of the Current Validity of charts, Manage Updates and Corrections.
• Chart Plotting Skills.
• Understanding the difference between official and un-official electronic navigation charts.
• Using Electronic charts for position verification and course to steer.

The effects of tide will push you off course. An effective navigator can use the tools available to compensate for the tide in advance and allow you to steer a shorter, faster course. A GPS will only tell you to compensate after you have gone off course.

• Identification of Tidal Stream Information
• Determining the effect of leeway and tide and how to compensate.
• plotting ground track and water track on a chart.
• Adjusting for variation and deviation with Course to Steer adjustments.
• Plotting course to steer on electronic charts and interactive feedback on your process.

Tidal rates change during the process of each tidal movement and throughout the lunar cycle. A Yachtmaster needs to be able to accurately work out the effects of tide when navigating, anchoring, and thorugh close quarters pilotage.

• Understanding the mechanism that causes tides to occur.
• Understanding Tide Tables.
• Identification of Tidal Streams
• Working with Tidal Diamonds and the Tidal Stream Atlas.
• The differences in tidal behaviours for springs and neaps conditions.
• Electronic tidal height calculations.
• Graphical based tidal height calculations.
• Interactive online tidal curve calculator with interactive feedback.
• Applying tidal constraints on passage planning.
• Secondary port calculations.

Cumulatively you will be able to predict the impact of tidal movements throughout your journey, offset your course to account for the tidal stream, plan a course that safely accounts for the height of tide, and consideration for the height of tide for departure and arrival times.

• The use of leading lines and lights.
• Using dipping distances to determine range.
• Recognition of different navigation aids and their purpose.
• Identification of different Nav Aid Symbols on a chart and chartplotter.

Safe and planned navigation is one of the most fundamental principles of being a yachtmaster.

• Position Fixing using Landmarks, Navigation Aids, and natural features.
• Compensation for variation and deviation on position fixing and Course to Steer
• Determining Estimated position and expected accuracy.
• Impact of Hazards and weather.
• Planning ports of refuge.

Nothing has changed navigation like the advent of satellite navigation systems, and affordable radar. But our over reliance on them mean we have lost awareness of the shortfalls and vulnerabilities of this technology. Your electrical system could fail, GPS signals could be compromised, or you may just make a simple error and not realise it.

• The basics of an electronic chart plotter.
• Basic Radar Operation using the NAVatHOME radar simulator.
• Safe & practical use of satellite navigation.
• Validation of Satellite navigation systems such as GPS.
• AIS - Automatic Identification System.
• Management & upgrades of Electronic charts
• Passage Planning with an Electronic chart plotter.
• Electronic Instruments.
• Electronic System Security.

As of 2002, SOLAS requirements changed internationally to require the skippers of all leisure vessels to make a passage plan of an intended voyage before leaving the dock. It is recognised as a fundamental aspect of the vessels safety.

• Requirements of a passage plan
• Execution of a passage plan
• Crew management & watchkeeping
• Development of close quarters pilotage plans
• Understanding pilotage techniques
• Restricted visibility pilotage
• Transits, clearance lines
• Harbour Requirements
• Electronic Passage Planning.
• Download pilotage plan templates to use on your own boat.

Ultimately you will be able to put together a complete passage plan and pilotage plan with consideration for ports of refuge, weather and emergency response plans.

• Understanding international rules of the road.
• Required action to avoid a collision.
• Definition of limited visibility and impact on the interpretation of collision regulations.
• Stand on and give way in complex scenarios.
• Traffic Separation Schemes.
• Marine Clearance areas.
• Vessel Day Shapes.
• Sound Signals - including those in restricted visibility.
• Recognition of a vessel from its ship lights.
• What signals are you required to show.