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RYA Coastal Skipper / Yachtmaster Offshore shorebased distance learning course
- About the course
- This is the Royal Yachting Association’s advanced level course for anyone wishing to extend their knowledge of navigation to include offshore and night passages. Conscientious completion of all the exercises is an essential contributor to successful completion of this course.
- To get the most from this course, which is conducted by e-mail, students are advised to allow approximately 72 hours for the study and completion of all the exercises and assessments leading to the award of the RYA course certificate. A detailed, module by module, course outline is given in the section below.
- At Coastal Skipper / Yachtmaster Offshore level, although the topics shown in the course outlines may look similar, students are expected to demonstrate a much clearer and fuller understanding, as well as operate at a higher level of accuracy and skill than at Day Skipper level. This course is therefore not suitable for those new to seamanship and navigation and the pre-requisite for enrolment on this course is the presentation to Centaur Sailing Limited of a copy of the RYA Day Skipper shorebased satisfactory course completion certificate. Please note that in cases where a RYA Day Skipper shorebased satisfactory course completion certificate isn't produced, the enrolment will automatically be changed to a Day Skipper course, i.e. no refund will be made.
- Working towards MCA Large Yacht Qualifications such as Officer of the Watch or Master 3000?
- If so, then the assessments at the end of this course must be taken under invigilated exam conditions at Centaur Sailing Limited or, by agreement and at your own additional cost, at another RYA Training Centre.
- If not, then the assessments may be taken at home and you can self-certify that you sat them under examination conditions.
- If you aren't sure which of the two above are applicable to you, please don't hesitate to telephone us for further advice based on your own situation.
- Please note that this is a substantial course. In the same way that John Goode's Southern Sailing doesn't subscribe to "fast-track" methods, students seeking just to acquire a certificate, with less regard to the acquisition of firmly founded skills and knowledge, are likely to find that a Centaur Sailing Limited course is unsuitable for their needs.
- The RYA continually revises this course to ensure it meets the current needs of leisure sailors and Centaur Sailing Limited ensures that it's materials are up-to-date with the latest RYA syllabus. As a result we ask that students complete their correspondence course & assessments within 12 months from the date of enrolment. Currently the course completion statistics show the quickest student having taken just 2 weeks with the average time being 25 weeks for a student to achieve their certificate.
- Follow this link to see the latest list of typographic errors identified in the course materials.
- Follow this link to see student comments about this course.
- Follow this link to see a free sample of Centaur Sailing Limited's Day Skipper course materials.
- Our slogan "High quality tuition at reasonable cost" really says it all, we strive to offer the best quality tuition that it's possible to get. At the same time we are well aware that our course fees are the most reasonable to be found, so we don't offer or negotiate discounts. However, if a couple were embarking on a course together, one way to save money would be for one to enrol on a "Full-support" course and the other on a "No support" course. If the person with the "Full-support" course then acts as a mouthpiece for both, then not only does the second person get indirect support but if the two people compare and agree their module answers (not allowed for assessments) then they can both benefit from the marking given to the "Full-support" student.
- Included in the course fee
(orders where the e-mail address is kept secret or only an initial instead of a first name is given will not be accepted) - Centaur Sailing Limited CD-ROM containing over 1,980 pages of course notes, worked examples and exercises suitable for Windows or Mac. There are two types of questions in the course notes, "student marked" with model answers intended for marking by the student and "instructor marked" without model answers which are intended for marking by your instructor.
- Paper versions of RYA Training Charts 3 and 4 (Northern Hemisphere).
- Electronic versions of RYA Training Charts 3 and 4 (Northern Hemisphere) contained in the Admiralty / RYA Electronic Chart Plotter (Training Version) for Windows XP (not Mac).
- If you are confident about your navigation and seamanship abilities and your ability to learn without the support of an instructor, you can save £100 on the cost of your course by opting for the "no-support" course. Students on a "no-support" course work alone without the benefit of instructor support until all the course modules have been completed and the next step is to take the mock assessments. Please note that answers to "instructor marked questions" are not given to students on a "no-support" course.
- Please also note that we will only accept orders to be sent to an address with a UK postcode.
- RYA Training Almanac (Northern Hemisphere). A fictitious almanac designed specifically for RYA shorebased courses. Just like a real almanac, it includes tide tables, pilotage notes and other important sources of information used throughout this course which cannot be completed without a copy of the RYA Training Almanac (Northern Hemisphere version for Centaur Sailing Limited courses). Please note that this item supercedes the publication known as 'Practice Navigation Tables'.
- Admiralty Chart 5011. A reference book for the symbols and abbreviations used on Admiralty Charts. Centaur Sailing Limited recommends that every skipper and/or navigator keeps a personal copy of Chart 5011 with their own favourite plotter and compass (see below). This course cannot be completed without a copy of the Admiralty Chart 5011. Please note that this item is now in a third edition and supercedes previous editions or publications that don't show an edition number at all.
- Professional Navigation Course Plotter. We at Centaur Sailing Limited have tried quite a number of the different designs of marine course plotter. Each has disadvantages of some sort. Even the ubiquitous Breton type of plotter (a.k.a. “Portland Plotter”), causes frequent complaint from students that the rotating protractor “sticks” and then “jumps” too far when trying to select a bearing; making it hard, if not impossible, to achieve the precision desired when developing plotting skills. We have designed our own plotter, with no moving parts to cause problems, and now have it specially manufactured. The goal was to bring together the advantages seen in other designs, at the same time minimising their disadvantages, i.e. to provide a really “user-friendly” plotter which offers the best possible accuracy for marine navigation. Please note that this course cannot be completed without a course plotter.
- A personal (Windows or Mac) computer.
- E-mail facilities, preferably via a broadband internet connection to support e-mailing of documents that will contain graphics, i.e. large documents.
- A printer. Access to a scanner is also very useful.
- A compass with a wide enough span to draw both large and small arcs on an Admiralty chart. Please note that this course cannot be completed without the ability to draw erasable arcs, i.e. in pencil, on a chart.
- 2B pencil, pencil sharpener and soft eraser for work on paper charts.
Coastal Skipper / Yachtmaster Offshore Course Outline
- Module CS00 "Briefing"
37 pages of briefing notes. - 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 course options and materials.
- Advice on how the "self-marked" and "instructor-marked" questions should be approached.
- Advice about the "mock" and "real" end of course assessments.
- Advice regarding printing the substantial course notes.
- 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"
176 pages of notes, worked examples and exercises.
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 Breton type of 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 Breton type of 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"
96 pages of notes, worked examples and exercises.
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 what is meant by the 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 both the paper RYA Training Charts and the Admiralty RYA Electronic Chart Plotter to find buoys and lights.
- Module CS03 "Compass & Position Fixing"
195 pages of notes, worked examples and exercises.
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 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 a position on both a paper and an electronic 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 paper and electronic chart from: latitude/longitude co–ordinates, range and bearing from a waypoint, a waypoint web, cross-track error ladder.
- Explain why on a north to south crossing of the English Channel that following the GPS Ground Track is the least efficient route.
- Explain simply 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"
207 pages of notes, worked examples and exercises.
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 which shallows and hazards your boat can safely pass over by accurately calculating whether there is sufficient height of tide with reference to the appropriate Secondary and/or Standard Port.
- Decide when your boat can safely pass over shallows and 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"
113 pages of notes, worked examples and exercises.
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 an 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"
187 pages of notes, worked examples and exercises.
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. - Plot an Estimated Position on both a paper chart and an electronic chart by accurately applying the effect of tide and leeway to a Dead Reckoning position.
- Determine where the vessel actually travelled in relation to the chart 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"
135 pages of notes, worked examples and exercises.
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 using both a paper chart and an electronic chart.
- Calculate the time required for the passage and an Estimated Time of Arrival (ETA).
- Module CS08 "Pilotage"
119 pages of notes, worked examples and exercises.
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 as well 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, i.e. a written list, 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"
113 pages of notes, worked examples and exercises.
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 offshore passage plan that satisfies the requirements of SOLAS 2002 regulation 34.
- Create GPS “Waypoints” and build them into a “Route” using the Admiralty RYA Electronic Chart Plotter.
- Print out a basic Passage Plan based on the Route just built using the Admiralty RYA Electronic Chart Plotter.
- Use "overlays" in the Admiralty RYA Electronic Chart Plotter to create self–imposed exclusion zones around hazards to be avoided.
- Module CS10 "Collision Regulations"
338 pages of notes, worked examples and exercises.
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"
168 pages of notes, worked examples and exercises.
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 it’s 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"
101 pages of notes, worked examples and exercises.
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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Registered Office 78 Devonshire Gardens, Tilehurst, Reading, Berkshire, RG31 6FP.