RYA DAY SKIPPER & ICC

Your course will give you the confidence to skipper a medium sized cruising yacht in familiar waters by day and in good weather. It will also prepare you to take on tricky berthing situations as well as managing your crew and yacht.  By becoming a competent RYA Day Skipper you will keep your yacht and crew safe as well as happy.

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From our base in Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex, we are close to London and easy to reach from across the east of England.

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Pre-Course Requirements

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• Minimum age of 16. All Under 18's to be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

• RYA Competent Crew qualification recommended - or you are already completely competent to this level on sailing yachts (not dinghies).

• Sailing yacht (not dinghy) experience of 5 days with 100 miles, and 4 night hours.

• Competence in navigation to RYA Day Skipper theory level. You should complete the RYA Day Skipper theory course before taking this practical course.
   

What's Included?

 

There are no hidden extra costs to any of our courses. Your course fee covers:-

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• Accommodation (yacht has central heating throughout)

• All meals - delicious breakfasts, lunches and evening meals on board

• Tea / coffee / snacks all day

• Free parking at the marina

• Your own allocated bunk

• Use of state-of-the-art GoreTex sailing jacket and salopettes (new every season)

• All safety equipment including personal issue lifejacket

• Your RYA Instructor & hire of the yacht

• RHIB training session (you get to helm) *most other schools do not include this*

• All mooring fees

• Fuel and gas

• RYA qualification card

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Cost; See Below for Course Specifics

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The cost of each course is shown below. There are no hidden extras. A non-refundable deposit reserves a place on your chosen course with the balance being due 7 weeks before the start of the course. See full terms and conditions for more information including cancellation policy and refunds. We recommend holiday insurance to cover for cancellations (costs around £10 from reputable insurance companies).

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Maximum student to instructor ratio 4:1.

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Course Syllabus
 

By the end of your RYA Day Skipper course with Academy Sailing you will have covered the following:-

 

• Basic knowledge of stability and bouyancy for small vessels.

• Knowledge of sea terms and parts of a boat, her rigging and sails.

• Sufficient knowledge to understand and give orders given concerning the sailing and day-to-day running of the boat.

• 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, 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 for position fixing.

• Can use of waypoints.

• Can work up Dead 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 into, or departure from, harbour.

• Understands the use of leading and clearing lines.

• Use of transits and surroundings as aids to pilotage.

• Knows sources of forecast information.

• Can interpret shipping forecasts and use a 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.

• Knows the properties and uses of common synthetic fibre ropes.

• Understands how to victual a yacht.

• Is able to take correct action as skipper for recovery of man overboard.

• Understands distress flares and how to use a liferaft.

• Can operate a radiotelephone in an emergency and send a distress message.

• Understands how to secure a tow.

• Understands rescue procedures including helicopter rescue.

• Can bring a boat 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 sailing.

• Can plan and make a coastal passage, taking account of relevant navigational hazards and limitations imposed by the type of boat and the strength of the crew.

• Has experienced sail cruising at night, including leaving and entering harbour.

• Understands the special consideration for pilotage plans, keeping a lookout and identifying marks by night.

• Understands the basic principles of sailing and can steer and trim sails on all points of sailing.

• Can steer a compass course, under sail and power.

• Can carry out general duties satisfactorily on deck and below decks in connection with daily routine of the vessel.