Theory - RYA Day Skipper Theory

Title: RYA Day Skipper Theory Course

Price: £365 p/p

Duration: 40 hours (some homework expected)

Catchment area: Day Skipper Theory serving London, Brighton and the counties of Sussex, Kent and Surrey in the South East of the UK.  About 45mins from Eastbourne's sovereign harbour and 20 minutes from Newhaven harbour and Lewes to the East.  About an hour from Croydon and 40 minutes from Haywards Heath and Gatwick Airport to the North.  About 45 minutes from Worthing, an hour from Littlehampton and 35 minutes from Shoreham Harbour yacht club.

Location: Neilson's modern HQ in Brighton Marina.

Parking: Weekends - Free, in the visitor car park, directly adjacent to the Neilson Offices.  Weekdays - free in Brighton Marina's multi storey car park.

Candidates: Boat owners, coastal/offshore workers, Coastal/Yachtmaster candidates, divers, outdoor pursuit instructors, yacht skippers, powerboat drivers.

Frequently asked questions:

Do I need a Day Skipper licence to drive a boat / sail a yacht?

The short answer is, in the UK, amazing as it may sound, legally you do not need to hold any licence or attend any course to drive a powerboat or sail a yacht.. for anything up to 24m or under 500 gross tons.  

The long answer is.. it’s complicated!  It depends where you are sailing, which company/club/country, what type of boat, who you are on the boat with and the reasons you are on the water. ie leisure or commercial.  The Day Skipper qualification (practical and theory) will cover you for most scenarios.  In the mean time try taking a look at our recommended '6_steps_to_sailing.pdf' for sailing

What licence do I need to take my boat to France?

You will need at least an ICC (International Certificate of Competence) certificate and a VHF operator’s licence.  If you are going inland (canals, lakes etc), you will also need to do a CEVNI test.  A Day Skipper Practical certificate will cover you for ICC (you will need to apply to the RYA with a copy of your your certificate e to receive this), but it will not cover you for CEVNI or VHF.  You can do all of these here at SailnetUK.

Do I ever need to renew my Day Skipper Certificate?

No, your Day Skipper Certificate if for life.  However, if it has been a while then it would be prudent to do a sailing refresher course or 'brush up’.

Is there a Day Skipper exam at the end of the course?

The course includes two Day Skipper Theory assessment papers.  As long as you have paid attention during the course and done the homework, there is no reason you won’t be able to breeze through the assessment.  An immediate re-sit is possible if you don’t get through on the first attempt. 

Where will my Day Skipper licence be valid?

Remember this is not a ‘licence’ it is a certificate and is not a legal requirement.  However, if you are travelling abroad it would be prudent to ask the RYA for an ICC certificate one you pass the Day Skipper Practical course.  Although RYA qualifications are generally internationally acceptable, the ICC is a legal requirement in some countries. 

What is the right Day Skipper Course to take, there seems to be so many?

There are two parts to the RYA ‘Day Skipper qualification’.  The THEORY part and the PRACTICAL part.  This is the 5 day THEORY part and tends to be referred to in many ways -

Day Skipper Theory Licence, Day Skipper Theory License, Day Skipper Theory, Day Skipper Theory Course, Day Skipper Theory Courses, RYA Day Skipper Theory Course, Day Skipper Theory Training, Day Skipper Theory Training Course, Day Skipper Theory Training Courses, Yacht Skipper's Licence, Yacht skipper's course, Boat skipper's Licence, Boat skipper's course,

...but don’t worry, it is all the same course!

Why choose SailnetUK’s RYA Day Skipper Theory Course when all courses follow a similar syllabus?

We only multi disciplined, experienced instructors who use their skills on a day to day basis.  We also cap our courses at a 8:1 student to instructor ratio, so you get individual attention.

Is there a fee for issuing a Day Skipper Licence?

No, it is all included on the course fee.

Are there any other hidden costs?

No.  If you book online, there are no ‘claw back’ credit card charges, VAT charges, parking fees or any other charges, which can quickly push up the price of a ‘cheap’ Day Skipper course.  If you book over the phone however, a 2% credit card charge will still apply.

Why go to Brighton Marina to do my VHF/DSC SRC Operators Course?

Many RYA Training Centre classrooms can be draughty old rooms incompatible with a learning environment.  At SailnetUK we use bright an airy air conditioned meeting rooms at Neilson’s modern HQ in the heart of Brighton Marina.  Brighton Marina, with its many cafe’s bars and restaurants is a great place to hang out afterwards too!

Do you do group discounts, special dates, special offers or ‘on location’ training?

For groups of 4 or more, we are happy to discuss your specific needs, whether it be a Day Skipper Theory Course group discount rate, a date to suit you, holding the course at your dive club, boat club, marina, crew house or business.  As a Brighton Berth Holder Member (BMBHA) you will get a further 10% off our already competitive price. (Only £10 joining fee!).  Special prices and special offers apply to new bookings only.

What does the course cover?

A comprehensive introduction to chart work, navigation, meteorology and the basics of seamanship for Competent Crew. You will find this course invaluable if you want to learn to start making decisions onboard.

Nautical terms

Parts of a boat and hull

General nautical terminology

Ropework

Knowledge of the properties of synthetic ropes in common use

Anchorwork

Characteristics of different types of anchor

Considerations to be taken into account when anchoring

Safety

Knowledge of the safety equipment to be carried, its stowage and use (see RYA Boat Safety Handbook, C8)

Fire precautions and fire fighting

Use of personal safety equipment, harnesses and lifejacketsd. Ability to send a distress signal by VHF radiotelephonee. Basic knowledge of rescue procedures including helicopter rescue

International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea

Steering and sailing rules (5,7,8,9,10 and 12-19)

General rules (all other rules)

Definition of position, course and speed

Latitude and longitude

Knowledge of standard navigational terms

True bearings and courses

The knot

Navigational charts and publications

Information shown on charts, chart symbols and representation of direction and distance

Navigational publications in common use

Chart correction

Navigational drawing instruments

Use of parallel rulers, dividers and proprietary plotting instruments

Compass

Application of variation

Awareness of deviation and its causes

Use of hand-bearing compass

Chartwork

Dead reckoning and estimated position including an awareness of leeway

Techniques of visual fixing

Satellite-derived positions

Use of waypoints to fix position

Course to steer

Tides and tidal streams

Tidal definitions, levels and datum

Tide tables

Use of Admiralty method of determining tidal height at standard port and awareness of corrections for secondary ports

Use of tidal diamonds and tidal stream atlases for chartwork

Visual aids to navigation

Lighthouses and beacons, light characteristics

Meteorology

Sources of broadcast meteorological information

Knowledge of terms used in shipping forecasts, including the Beaufort scale, and their significance to small craft

Basic knowledge of highs, lows and fronts

Passage planning

Preparation of navigational plan for short coastal passages. Meteorological considerations in planning short coastal passages

Use of waypoints on passages. Importance of confirmation of position by an independent source

Keeping a navigational

Navigation in restricted visibility

Precautions to be taken in, and limitations imposed by fog

Pilotage

Use of transits, leading lines and clearing lines

IALA system of buoyage for Region A

Use of sailing directions

Pilotage plans and harbour entry

Marine environment

Responsibility for avoiding pollution and protecting the marine environment

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