RYA - Coastal/Offshore Theory - Virtual

Description

These four virtula classrooms will cover some of the important aspects and worked examples of the comprehensive shore-based course.  It is also extremely valuable for recreational sailors and motorboat captains who are undertaking coastal and offshore passages.  This course is essential preparation for those working towards a Yachtmaster Certificate of Competence and is a requirement under the MCA Large Yacht Code (Superyachts) for masters and deck officers operating on vessels from 24 m to 3000 tonnes.

Course content

Students will enrol in a separate online course.  The virtual classroom will provided instruction and tutoring opportunitiy for students as a complementary learning pathway.  The ndictive program is as follows.  Each Session will allow for Q&A and discussion time.

Session 1

• Marine Charts and Position  - Projections, depths, heights and datums, distance and symbols. Latitude and longitude, position fixing, position lines
• Tools of the Navigator - Ships compass, plotter, depth sounder, speed log, deck log. Direction, compass variation, deviation, and error.
• Tides - Tide causes, tide terms, range, springs and neaps, tide tables. Tidal heights, standard & secondary ports, high and low water curves.

Session 2

• Navigation and Tidal Streams  - tidal streams, set and drift, diamonds, tidal stream atlas, computation of rates.  Dead reckoning, estimated position, course to steer, leeway, overfalls, and races.
• Buoyage and Lights - IALA buoyage (A and B), Lights, characteristics, sectored lights, ranges (visual, luminous and nominal), rising and dipping distances.
• IRPCS - Steering and sailing rules, lights and shapes.  Detailed knowledge of the collision regulations. Rule 19.

Session 3

• Meteorology - Basic terms: global weather pattern, highs and lows, air masses and fronts, frontal depression, and synoptic charts. Local effects: fog, sea and land breeze, thunderstorms, katabatic winds. Weather forecasts and the barometer.
• Safety at Sea - Personal safety (lifejackets, harnesses, and lifelines), distress signals, life rafts, and safety management system. Stability, heavy weather, restricted visibility, high traffic. Radar for collision avoidance and restricted visibility
• IRPCS - Night shapes , lights and sounds.

Session 4

• Pilotage - Pilotage planning, transits, clearing lines, leading lines, use of soundings. Harbour regulations and signals.
• Passage planning - Working up a plan, victualling, before take-off checklists, log set up. Route planning, course shaping, charts prepared, GPS route set up, communication schedule, watch system organised.

Course details

The programme runs over four week (1session per week) and includes 12 hours of teaching.

You will sit three assessments for the cmpletion of the course.  These will be managed though your online provider.  Your onlib=-ne course provider will award you the RYA Yachtmaster Shore based certificate on completing all three.

Although this course is necessarily intensive, it is also very satisfying and contains valuable content that will make you a safer and more competent sailor. 

Location and instruction

The week is run in a virtual classroom (Zoom or Teams).  You will be guided by an experienced and certified RYA Yachtmaster Shore-based course instructor.

What's included

• Virtual Classroom only.

Online Course to be organised separately and provides.

• Tuition, course publications, course pack, and certification.
• Plotter and dividers are provided for loan.
• Qualifications.
• RYA/ MCA Yachtmaster Shorebased Theory Certificate

Before you start

You will have completed RYA Essential Navigation and Seamanship (online) or RYA Day Skipper Shore-based or have equivalent knowledge.

What next?

You are now ready to start RYA Coastal Skipper training or go on to a Yachtmaster Prep and Exam course.