RYA YACHTMASTER THEORY

• Day Skipper Theory Required
• Classroom-based

• Advanced navigation skills

• Skills needed to pass Yachtmaster certification

• All course materials, including course notes.
• Morning and afternoon tea.

What’s not Included

• Morning and afternoon tea.

All instruction takes place in a classroom setting, led by an expert instructor from JVN. Class sizes are limited to 8 students to ensure adequate interaction with the instructor. Students come with varying levels of prior knowledge, but no worries— the entire syllabus is taught from the ground up, and no prior knowledge is assumed before starting.

Instructors Quality

The simple truth is that shore-based navigation courses are often taught by individuals who have sailed very little beyond their local area, which significantly limits their skills and experience, resulting in repetitive anecdotes and the same teaching lines lesson after lesson.

We’re constantly learning, evolving, and refining our approach to sailing and navigation. When you learn with us, you’ll receive instruction from seasoned experts who teach the latest approaches in navigation theory.

This is an advanced course in navigation and meteorology for candidates pursuing the Coastal Skipper and Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate. The syllabus includes some provisions for reviewing Day Skipper course material; however, those who have not acquired the knowledge outlined in the Day Skipper course may find it difficult to cover all advanced topics within the available time.

Position Fixing

• Dead Reckoning & Estimated Position
• Satellite-derived position
• Using waypoints to determine position
• Radar fixes
• Visual fixing techniques
• Corrections using a combination of position lines
• Relative accuracy of different position-fixing methods
• Area of uncertainty

The Magnetic Compass

• Allowance for variation
• Change in variation over time and position
• Causes of deviation
• Swinging for deviation (but not correction)
• Allowance for deviation
• Different types of compasses

Tides

• Causes of tide – Springs and Neaps
• Tidal tables – sources
• Tidal levels and datum
• Standard and secondary ports
• Tidal anomalies (e.g., Solent)

Tidal Streams

• Tidal Information Sources
• Tidal stream information from pilot books and nautical almanacs
• Allowance for tidal streams when calculating course to steer
• Tide rips, overfalls, and races
• Tide gauges, beacons, etc.

Buoyage

• IALA buoyage system in Region A
• Limitations of buoys as navigational aids

Lights

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

Pilotage

• Harbor regulations and control signals
• Pre-planning methods
• Clearing lines
• Use of soundings
• Transits and leading lines

GPS and Chart Plotters

• Principles of operation and usage limitationsx
• Raster and vector charts
• Datum
  
• Importance of verifying position through an independent source and keeping a separate record of position
• Importance of paper charts

Echo Sounders

• Principles of operation and usage limitationsx

Logs (Speed and Distance Measurement)

• Principles of operation and limitations of use

Deck Log

• Importance of the logbook as an official record of the yachtx
• Importance of the logbook as an official record of the yacht

Meteorology

• Basic terms, a. The Beaufort scale b. Air masses c. Cloud types d. Weather patterns associated with pressure and frontal systems e. Sources of weather forecasts f. Ability to interpret a navigation forecast, weather fax, and satellite weather information g. Land and sea breezes h. Sea fog i. Use of the barometer as a forecasting aid.

Rules of the Road

• Sound knowledge of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, excluding Annexes 1 and 3

Safety at Sea

• Personal safety, use of life jackets, safety harnesses, and lifelines
• Fire prevention and firefighting
• Distress signals
• Safety plan for crew and vessel
• Preparation for heavy weather
• Life rafts and helicopter rescue
• Understanding vessel capabilities and basic stability knowledge

Navigation in Restricted Visibility

• Precautions in case of fog
• Limitations on safe navigation imposed by fog
• Navigation with limited visibility

Passage Planning

• Drafting charts and passage plans for route planning and use at seax
• Customs regulations applicable to yachts
• Routine for coastal navigation
• Strategy for course plotting
• Use of waypoints and routes
• Using weather forecast information for passage planning strategy
• Sources of local and national regulations