Fowey Maritime Centre Coastal Skipper / Yachtmaster Shorebased Course Syllabus

RYA Coastal Skipper / Yachtmaster Shorebased Course Syllabus

This is an advanced course in navigation and meteorology for candidates for the Coastal Skipper and Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate. The syllabus makes some provision for the revision of subjects in the Day Skipper Course but those who have not acquired the knowledge set out in the Day Skipper Course are unlikely to be able to assimilate all the subjects covered in this advanced course in the time available.

The assumed level of knowledge before starting this course is the Day Skipper Shorebased Course.

Position

Full knowledge:

• Satellite-derived position
• Use of waypoints to fix position
• Relative accuracy of different methods of position fixing

Working knowledge:

• Dead reckoning and estimated position
• Radar fixes
• Techniques of visual fixing
• Fixes using a mixture of position lines

Outline knowledge:

• Areas of uncertainty

The magnetic compass

Working knowledge:

• Allowance for variation
• Changes of variation with time and position
• Causes of deviation

Outline knowledge:

• Swing for deviation (but not correction)
• Allowance for deviation
• Different types of compass

Tides

Working knowledge:

• Tide tables - sources
• Tide levels and datum
• Standard and secondary ports

Outline knowledge:

• Causes of tides - Springs and Neaps
• Tidal anomalies (Solent, etc.) Swing for deviation (but not correction)

Tidal Streams

Full knowledge:

• Allowance for tidal streams in computing a course to steer

Working knowledge:

• Sources of tidal information
• Tidal stream information in sailing directions and Yachtsman's Almanacs
• Tide rips, overfalls and races
• Tidal observation buoys, beacons etc.

Buoyage

Working knowledge:

• IALA system buoyage in Region A

Outline knowledge:

• Limitations of buoys as navigational aids

Lights

Working knowledge:

• Characteristics

Outline knowledge:

• Ranges - visual, luminous and nominal
• Rising and dipping distances
• Light lists

Pilotage

Full knowledge:

• Harbour regulations and control signals
• Clearing lines

Working knowledge:

• Methods of pre-planning
• Use of soundings
• Transits and leading lines

GP and chart plotters

Full knowledge:

• Principles of operation and limitations of use

Working knowledge:

• Datum
• Importance of confirmation of position by an independent source and keeping a separate record of position
• Importance of paper charts

Outline knowledge:

• Raster and vector charts

Echo sounders

Outline knowledge:

• Principles of operation and limitations of use

Logs (speed and distance measuring)

Outline knowledge:

• Principles of operation and limitations of use

Deck log

Working knowledge:

• Importance of log as yacht's official document
• Layout of log, hourly and occasional entries

Meteorology

Working knowledge:

• Basic terms, the Beaufort Scale
• Air masses
• Cloud types
• Weather patterns associated with pressure and frontal systems
• Sources of weather forecasts
• Ability to interpret a shipping forecast, weatherfax and weather satellite information
• Land and sea breezes
• Use of a barometer as a forecasting aid

Outline knowledge:

• Sea fog

International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (IRPCS)

Full knowledge:

• A sound knowledge of International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, except Annexes 1 and 3

Safety at sea

Working knowledge:

• Personal safety, use of lifejackets, safety harnesses and lifelines
• Fire prevention and fire fighting
• Distress signals
• Preparation for heavy weather
• Liferafts and helicopter rescue

Outline knowledge:

• Coastguard and Boat Safety Scheme
• Understanding of capabilities of vessel and basic knowledge of stability

 

Navigation in restricted visibility

Working knowledge:

• Precautions to be taken in fog
• Limitations to safe navigation imposed by fog

• Navigation strategy in poor visibility Personal safety, use of lifejackets, safety harnesses and lifelines

Passage planning

Full knowledge:

• Use of weather forecast information for passage planning strategy

Working knowledge:

• Preparation of charts and notebook for route planning and making, and use at sea
• Routing for navigating in coastal waters
• Strategy for course laying
• Use of waypoints and routes
• Sources of local and national regulations

Outline knowledge:

• Customs regulations as they apply to yachts

Marine Environment

Working knowledge:

• Responsibility to minimise pollution and protect the marine environment