This RYA interactive course is a basic introduction to navigation seamanship and safety, for anyone interested in sailing, motor boating and venturing out to sea.

This course is a basic introduction to navigation, seamanship and safety and falls below Day Skipper Theory within the RYA training scheme. It is ideal for users of small boats such as RIBs and dayboats such as those used by anglers. It’s also a great course for those who are currently crewing on yachts and want to learn a little more before eventually progressing to the full Day Skipper courses.

The RYA Essential Navigation and Seamanship Course aims to introduce the basic concepts of inshore navigation and safety in an easy to understand and enjoyable format. During the course you will be introduced to the basics of navigation including tidal awareness, charts, almanacs and the use of electronic navigation aids such as GPS. You will be taught about harbour entry and departure pilotage including knowledge of buoyage and a basic understanding of the Collision Regulations so you know who has right of way! Time will also be spent looking at sources of weather information and what impact this could have on your passage.

Towards the end of the course you will put all this information together to plan an actual passage. You will also learn more about what safety equipment you should carry and how it is used.

Pre course experience
Assumed knowledge
Minimum duration
Minimum age
Course content
After course ability
None
None
16 hours
None
Charts and publications, safety, engine checks, buoyage, tidal awareness, visual and electronic navigation, pilotage, rules of the road, anchoring, weather forecasts, passage planning
Basic knowledge on navigation and safety.