The RYA is a British based organization established by yachtsmen to promote all aspect of sailing and watersports for enjoyment of others interested in pursuing these activities.

In an effort to further safety and there for enjoyment the RYA established comprehensive sail training scheme which at the time was a new concept and so successful that it gained world wide recognition and has become the standard which has been adopted by many other countries to train their own yachtsmen.

As the originators of this training scheme, the RYA maintain the highest possible standards for its schools and instructors. Instructors must pass stringent examinations both practically and theoretically as well as repeating these examinations at regular intervals to ensure the maintenance of the high standards required. Schools and yachts are also examined at yearly intervals by independent examiners and should the standards drop, recognition of the school is withdrawn and therefore the school cannot operate as an RYA recognized teaching establishment any longer.

You can enter the scheme at the point appropriate to your experience. It is important to note that if your past sailing has not provided the level of experience that is not appropriate to the course that you would like to take then you are likely to fail.(see the detailed notes appropriate to the course that you are interested in)

Previous Experience

Non

Duration
Minimum 5 days teaching on board the yacht

What will I learn?

Basic Seaman Ship
Parts of the boat, rigging and sails
Sail handling
Rope work, knots and mooring etc.
Safety procedures , fire, abandon ship , man overboard ,etc.
Introduction to rules of the road, ships log ,basic navigation
Introduction to meteorology
Sailing Skills
To sail on all points of the wind and to the compass .
To trim sails on all points of sailing.
Under Power
To handle the boat on compass courses and basic boat maneuvers including man overboard.
The Standart
To be able to perform all of the above and become a safe and responsible member of crew .
The Next Step
Go sailing as crew to increase your skills and experience. Attend a shorebased Day Skipper course.
Then later attend a Day Skipper (Non- Tidal ) course.

Previous Experience
5 days sailing, 100 NM , 4 night hours.
Can sail a boat efficiently
Has an understanding of basic Navigation
It is desirable to have attended a shorebased Day Skipper course.
Duration Of The Course
Minimum of 5 days at sea teaching on board the yacht.
What Will I Learn ?
Practical Seamanship
Preparations for sea, deckwork, application of the rules of the road,
Meteorology, Emergency situations including man overboard and distress calls,
Maintenance of the yacht and repairs.
Basic Diesel engines
Skippering Skills
Crew management.
Strategy
Passage making and pilotage
Practical navigation
Boat handling under power and sail ,anchoring mooring and berthing.
The Standart
To be able to navigate and skipper the yacht in fair weather and local waters safely by day.
The Next Step
To go sailing to gain more experience and sea time .
Attend a Coastal skipper/ Yachtmaster shorebased course.
Then attend a Coastal Skipper (Non-Tidal) practical course.

Previous Experience
Minimum 15 days sailing with at least 2 days as skipper, 300NM with 8 night hours.
Duration Of The Course
Minimum of 5 days offshore sailing day and night.
What Will I Learn?
Preparation for sea , round the clock sailing ( 24 hours).
Passage planning and passage making as skipper.
Pilotage by day and night.
Advanced boat handling under sail and motor
Preparations for heavy weather
Advanced meteorology -strategy and planning for heavy weather
Sailing in bad visibility
Standart
To skipper a boat safely by day and night on offshore passages
The Next Step
Tidal waters experience ,yachtmaster examination in the UK

Previous Experience
Day Skipper shorebased course
Practical sailing experience to day skipper level
Duration Of The Course
Minimum of 46 hours classroom study plus examinations
6 Days plus examinations or 4 weekends.
What Will I Learn?
Note:- This is an advanced course and it is unlikely that those without a good basic knowledge will be successful in the time stated above.
All aspects of seamanship , skippering, navigation and pilotage as well as meteorology and International regulations for the prevention of collisions at sea are taught to an advanced level. This also includes Tides and navigation in tidal waters.
The Standart
Complete knowledge and understanding of IRPCS, In-depth knowledge of Meteorology, passage planning (including tidal waters) and navigation in offshore waters
Successful completion of the written examinations
The Next Step
Sailing to get sea time and experience.
Coastal Skipper (Non- Tidal ) practical course Yachtmaster examination (practical) UK.