RYA Coastal Skipper / Yachtmaster Offshore Distance Learning (Correspondence) Shorebased Course on the Theory of Seamanship and Navigation from Centaur Sailing Limited

Course Details
Basic Navigation
Day Skipper
Coastal Skipper
Yachtmaster Offshore
Yachtmaster Ocean

Course Outlines
Basic Navigation
Day Skipper
Coastal Skipper
Yachtmaster Offshore
Yachtmaster Ocean

Student Comments
Basic Navigation
Day Skipper
Coastal Skipper
Yachtmaster Offshore
Yachtmaster Ocean

Downloads
Basic Navigation errata
Day Skipper errata
Coastal Skipper errata
Yachtmaster Offshore errata
Yachtmaster Ocean errata
Free Sample of Materials

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RYA Coastal Skipper / Yachtmaster Offshore shorebased distance learning course outline

Module CS00 "Briefing"
8 pages of briefing notes in A4 format.

Enclosed with your course materials you will receive a letter welcoming you to your course, providing a checklist of contents and giving guidance on how to get started on your course, i.e. how to get into this briefing module.
A list of all the documents on your CD-ROM including the course modules listed below and other resources included on the CD-ROM.
A list of the items you'll need to get for the course. This information mirrors that given in Coastal Skipper / Yachtmaster Offshore Course Details and Place your order here.
Advice on how the "self-marked" and "instructor-marked" questions should be approached.
Advice about the "mock" and "real" end of course assessments.
A briefing on the theory and practical courses in the RYA Cruising Scheme, how they relate to each other and how they connect with the examinations for an MCA/RYA "Certificate of Competence".

Module CS01 "Charts & Publications"
42 pages of notes, worked examples and exercises in A4 format.
To get the most from this course module, students are advised to allow approximately 5 hours for the study and completion of all the exercises.

Explain what information is available on an Admiralty chart and in an almanac.
Use Admiralty Chart 5011 to look up the meaning of symbols and abbreviations used on Admiralty charts.
Plot an accurate position on an Admiralty chart by means of latitude and longitude coordinates using a navigation course plotter.
Explain what is meant by a “Nautical Mile” and how to accurately calculate distance on an Admiralty chart using a pencil-holding compass.
Explain clearly what is meant by the term “Knot”.
Accurately draw any bearing line on an Admiralty chart using a navigation course plotter.
Use the Admiralty RYA Electronic Chart Plotter to confirm manually plotted positions, bearings and distances on the paper RYA Training Charts.

Module CS02 "Lights & Buoyage"
25 pages of notes, worked examples and exercises in A4 format.
To get the most from this course module, students are advised to allow approximately 2 hours for the study and completion of all the exercises

Describe the difference(s) between buoyage in IALA Region A and IALA Region B.
Explain why it is necessary to include direction of buoyage indicators on Admiralty charts.
Recognise lateral buoyage and safe water marks by day and by night, and decide what action is necessary to avoid any hazards indicated by them.
Recognise cardinal buoyage by day and by night, and decide what action is necessary to avoid any hazards indicated by them.
Recognise isolated danger marks, preferred channel marks and special purpose marks by day and by night, and decide what action is necessary to avoid any hazards indicated by them.
Explain clearly and accurately the meaning of terms used for lights: fixed, occulting, isophase, flashing, group flashing and group occulting.
Describe the characteristics of a light from the abbreviations shown for it on an Admiralty chart.
Use the RYA Training Charts to find the buoys and lights referenced in this course module.

Module CS03 "Compass & Position Fixing"
39 pages of notes, worked examples and exercises in A4 format.
To get the most from this course module, students are advised to allow approximately 6 hours for the study and completion of all the exercises.

Explain the term “Variation” and calculate accurately the value for it in a particular position.
Explain the term “Deviation” and how to calculate the value for it on a particular heading.
Apply variation accurately to convert true bearings into magnetic bearings and magnetic bearings into true bearings.
Apply deviation accurately to convert compass bearings into magnetic bearings and magnetic bearings into compass bearings.
Plot an accurate position on a chart from: a visual 3 point fix, a bearing and contour fix, a transit and bearing fix, or by passing a charted object.
Plot a GPS sourced position on a chart from: latitude/longitude co–ordinates, range and bearing to a waypoint, a waypoint web, cross-track error ladder.
Explain the limitations associated with, and care required, when using GPS.
Plot a “Running Fix” based on a single charted and visible landmark.
Plot a Fix on a single charted light by calculation of bearing and range by the “Dipping/Rising Distance” method.
Plot a “Radar Range Fix” using 3 charted and radar conspicious targets.

Module CS04 "Tidal Heights"
55 pages of notes, worked examples and exercises in A4 format.
To get the most from this course module, students are advised to allow approximately 6 hours for the study and completion of all the exercises.

Explain simply how tides are caused and, in detail, the resulting tidal levels.
Decide if there is sufficient clearance for your boat to safely pass over shallows and/or hazards by accurately calculating whether there is sufficient height of tide with reference to the appropriate Secondary and/or Standard Port.
Decide at what time it is safe to pass over such shallows and/or hazards by accurately calculating the time at any Secondary and/or Standard Port when a particular height of tide will occur.

Module CS05 "Tidal Streams"
33 pages of notes, worked examples and exercises in A4 format.
To get the most from this course module, students are advised to allow approximately 5 hours for the study and completion of all the exercises.

Explain what information is provided by a tidal diamond and by a tidal stream atlas then go on to explain how your choice between them might be affected by the intended passage.
Calculate accurately the “hour(s) of tide” required for a particular passage.
Determine the accurate direction and strength of tide, at a particular position for any hour of tide, based on a calculation using the range for the tide and a “Computation of Rate”.
Explain why not changing all times to match those used on tide tables can cause problems.

Module CS06 "Estimated Position"
34 pages of notes, worked examples and exercises in A4 format.
To get the most from this course module, students are advised to allow approximately 8 hours for the study and completion of all the exercises. This time estimate includes a substantial amount of plotting practice which is essential to the development of good/skilled practice but is time consuming.

Work up a rough position using Dead Reckoning on a paper chart.
Explain how to assess leeway and how it is applied to the course steered.
Plot an Estimated Position on a paper chart by accurately applying the effect of tide and leeway to a Dead Reckoning position.
Explain simply how to deal with plotting Estimated Positions on a passage of 2 or more hours in duration.
Work up a “Circle of Uncertainty” surrounding an Estimated Position based on the distance run and the conditions prevailing.
Determine where the vessel actually travelled in relation to the chart, i.e. the sea-bed, on each leg of a passage of 2 or more hours and calculate its bearing.
Calculate the distance travelled on each leg of a passage of 2 or more hours and thereby the speed of travel over the ground rather than through the water i.e. with tidal effect included.
Explain why it is important for the “Departure Fix” for an offshore passage to be as far out into the passage as possible.
Work up a “Circle of Uncertainty” surrounding an Estimated Position based on the distance run and the conditions prevailing.
Describe the technique used to reduce a “Circle of Uncertainty” when making a landfall.

Module CS07 "Course to Steer"
28 pages of notes, worked examples and exercises in A4 format.
To get the most from this course module, students are advised approximately 6 hours for the study and completion of all the exercises. This time estimate includes a substantial amount of plotting practice which is essential to the development of good/skilled practice but is time consuming.

Calculate how to counteract both wind and tidal effects on either an inshore or an offshore passage by working up a Course to Steer on a paper chart.
Calculate the time required for the passage and an Estimated Time of Arrival (ETA).

Module CS08 "Pilotage"
35 pages of notes, worked examples and exercises in A4 format.
To get the most from this course module, students are advised to allow approximately 4 hours for the study and completion of all the exercises.

Prepare a pilotage plan for safe harbour entry/exit allowing you to be on deck to skipper the vessel, and all the crew to be on deck assisting in the safe pilotage of the vessel i.e. no one below at the chart table.
Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of a “graphical” compared to a text-based type of pilotage plan.
Explain how to use transits, sectored lights, head bearings, back bearings, clearing bearings and turning bearings to remain in safe water when in close proximity to hazards.
Explain simply the technique of “parallel indexing” used with radar in order to remain in safe water when in close proximity to hazards.

Module CS09 "Passage Planning"
19 pages of notes, worked examples and exercises in A4 format.
To get the most from this course module, students are advised to allow approximately 3 hours for the study and completion of all the exercises.

Prepare an inshore passage plan that satisfies the requirements of SOLAS 2002 regulation 34.
Identify how an offshore passage plan might differ from an inshore passage plan and explain how they would influence your approach to planning an offshore passage.
Explain “Waypoints” and their usefulness related to a GPS “Route”.

Module CS10 "Collision Regulations"
69 pages of notes, worked examples and exercises in A4 format.
To get the most from this course module, students are advised to allow approximately 8 hours for the study and completion of all the exercises.

Explain the rules about watchkeeping, safe speed and determining risk of collision.
Explain in detail the priorities between different types of vessels.
Identify vessels by “day shapes” shown during the day and by their lights shown in darkness/poor visibility.
Identify vessels and their manoeuvres by their sound signals.
Explain in detail how to decide, based on the identification from shapes/lights and knowledge of own vessel, which is the “give way” vessel and which is the “stand on” vessel and what action each should take to avoid a collision.

Module CS11 "Meteorology"
48 pages of notes, worked examples and exercises in A4 format.
To get the most from this course module, students are advised to allow approximately 6 hours for the study and completion of all the exercises.

Explain how Sea & Local Breezes may assist, or hinder, a yacht’s passage.
Describe the life cycle of an Atlantic depression.
Describe the expected weather conditions at any point around the frontal systems of an Atlantic depression.
Explain simply the weather associated with a particular type of cloud according to its shape and height.
Explain simply how & when fog is formed and the conditions which disperse it.
Explain the sources for weather information and the terms used in them.
Calculate the wind strength & direction at any point on a synoptic chart and decide in light of the calculation and latest weather information whether to put to sea.

Module CS12 "Safety, Environment & Stability"
29 pages of notes, worked examples and exercises in A4 format.
To get the most from this course module, students are advised to allow approximately 3 hours for the study and completion of all the exercises.

Describe the clothing and equipment necessary for personal safety aboard leisure craft and their tenders/dinghies.
Describe the main safety equipment likely to be found aboard leisure craft and outline their purpose.
Explain how immediate assistance may be called in the case of grave AND imminent danger to life.
Describe how leisure craft can help to protect the environment.
Explain simply what information can be drawn from the “Righting Curves” and “Angle of Vanishing Stability” published in boat reviews by the leisure boating press.

Module CS75 "Mock Chartwork Assessment Paper"
Students are advised to allow 2 hours for the completion of this mock assessment paper which may be taken at home.

Module CS76 "Mock Meteorology Assessment Paper"
Students are advised to allow 1½ hours for the completion of this mock assessment paper which may be taken at home.

Module CS77 "Mock IRPCS Assessment Paper"
Students are advised to allow 1½ hours for the completion of this mock collision regulations assessment paper which may be taken at home.

Module CS85 "Chartwork Assessment Paper"
Students are advised to allow 2 hours for the completion of this assessment paper which may be taken at home.

Module CS86 "Meteorology Assessment Paper"
Students are advised to allow 1½ hours for the completion of this assessment paper which may be taken at home.

Module CS87 "IRPCS Assessment Paper"
Students are advised to allow 1½ hours for the completion of this collision regulations assessment paper which may be taken at home.

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