
RYA Day
skipper course
The RYA Day Skipper practical sailing course covers all aspects of skippering a modern cruising yacht including boat handling, navigation, pilotage and seamanship skills. During the course you will get the opportunity to skipper short passages under the watchful eye of your instructor. You will gain the experience and confidence to allow you to skipper a cruising yacht in familiar waters by day.
​
The course runs for 5 consecutive days from our base in Ramsgate. It is possible that for operational reasons and to ensure the highest quality of instruction that the course may finish at an alternative destination in which case private transport will be provided back to Ramsgate or to suitable public transport if preferred.
​
You will learn how to handle a yacht under power and sail, including manoeuvres at sea and in harbour, berthing, anchoring and man overboard recovery. You will learn real practical navigational and pilotage skills which work at sea. You will learn about weather, tides, rules of the road and how to plan and execute a simple passage.
​
Most of all you will develop confidence in taking charge of the yacht and her crew.
Importantly, this Day Skipper qualification also entitles you to the ICC (UK International Certificate for Operators of Pleasure Craft).
​
Over the 5 days we will visit a number of different anchorages and/or marinas and you will live on board for 4 nights with the other students and the instructor. There will be an opportunity to experience a few hours night sailing. All meals are provided on board but there will be opportunities to go ashore during some evenings.
​
The course will begin in Ramsgate at 09.00 on the first day of the course and finish by 17.00 on the last day. The sailing area is likely to be from Ramsgate to the Thames Estuary, the Medway and the Essex and Suffolk coasts.
​
Pre-Course Requirements
-
An adequate understanding of navigation and Day Skipper theory (ideally by completing the RYA Day Skipper theory course)
-
100 NM on a sailing yacht (not dinghy)
-
Minimum age 16. All under 18’s to be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
What’s Included?
-
Accommodation onboard
-
All meals (except breakfast on day 1 and dinner on the final day)
-
Tea/Coffee and snacks
-
An allocated bunk
-
Undersheet, pillow and pillowcase
-
All safety equipment including personal issue lifejacket
-
All mooring fees
-
Fuel and gas
-
RYA Certificate/Qualification card
Course Syllabus Overview
By the time you have completed your RYA Day Skipper Course with Ramsgate Sailing you will have covered the following
-
Basic knowledge of stability and buoyancy for small yachtrs
-
Knowledge of sea terms and parts of a boat, her rigging and sails
-
Sufficient knowledge to understand and give orders concerning the sailing and day to day running of the vessel
-
Is able to prepare a yacht for sea, including engine checks, selection of sails, securing and stowage of all gear on deck and below
-
Can reef and shake out reefs and change sails to suit prevailing conditions
-
Can prepare an anchor, mooring warps and take charge on deck when mooring alongside, coming to a buoy, anchoring, weighing anchor and slipping from a buoy or alongside berth
-
Is proficient in chartwork and routine navigational duties on passage including taking and plotting visual fixes
-
Use of electronic navigation equipment
-
Use of waypoints
-
Can work up Dear Reckoning positions and Estimated Positions
-
Can estimate tidal heights and tidal streams with accuracy
-
Can work out a course to steer to allow for tidal stream, leeway and drift
-
Has knowledge of IALA buoyage
-
Can maintain navigational records
-
Can use echo sounder and lead line
-
Can prepare and execute a pilotage plan for entry to and exit from harbour
-
Understands the use of clearing and leading lines
-
Use of transits and surroundings as aids to pilotage
-
Knows sources of forecast information
-
Can interpret shipping forecasts and use the barometer as a forecasting aid
-
Has a working knowledge of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea
-
Understands and is able to carry out maintenance tasks
-
Understands how to victual a yacht
-
Is able to take necessary action as skipper for the recovery of a man overboard
-
Understands distress flares and how to use a liferaft
-
Can operate a VHF radio in an emergency and send a distress message
-
Understands how to secure a tow
-
Understands rescue procedures including by helicopter
-
Can bring a yacht safely to and from an alongside berth, mooring buoy and anchor under various conditions of wind and tide
-
Can steer and trim sails effectively on all points of sail
-
Can plan and make a coastal passage, taking account of relevant navigational hazards and limitations imposed by the type of vessel and strength of the crew
-
Has experienced sail cruising at night, including leaving and entering harbour
