The RYA Helmsman course is aimed at those that are new to boating and teaches basic boat handling techniques and general marine awareness. It is also to make students aware and conscious of the difficulty and hazards of boat handling.

The Helmsman course is useful for crews as well as skippers. Apart from the obvious safety benefits of extra boat handlers on board it promotes teamwork and awareness.

At the end of the course students will have understanding and knowledge of boat preparation, boat handling, types of craft, engines and drives, engine operation and maintenance, safety and seamanship, rules of the road, securing to a buoy, berthing alongside & man overboard recovery.

We include all the books, charts, and materials you will need to complete your course.

This course is available to those 12 years and older. 

This two-day course covers:

• Basic boat handling
• Engine checks
• Safety procedures & equipment
• Rope handling & fendering
• Buoyage
• MOB drills

The RYA Day Skipper practical course is taught onboard a twin-engine fly-bridge cruiser. You will learn pilotage, navigation, seamanship and boat handling up to the standard required to skipper a motor cruiser safely by day in waters with which you are familiar.

At the end of the course students should be capable of planning and safely completing a coastal passage by day including pilotage.

Whether they want to Skipper their own Cruiser or charter boats on a bareboat basis. This RYA training course is designed to consolidate and put into a practical context all areas learned on the RYA Day Skipper Theory Course.

The course offers a practical application of what is required to safely navigate a 10-24 metre power vessel in local waters.

The course will cover boat handling in confined areas of the marina as well as at increased speeds in open areas at sea. We will cover the use of electronic navigational aids such as GPS. which is now virtually standard equipment on modern vessels.

International Certificate of Competency (ICC ) Application

Successful completion of the Day Skipper practical course will automatically qualify you to apply for an International Certificate of Competency (ICC) 10-24 metres. The ICC is free if you are a member of the RYA.

This four-day course includes:

• Safety and the Skipper’s responsibilities
• Preparation & Passage Planning
• Boat handling in confined areas and at sea
• Navigation & awareness of electronics
• Buoyage
• MOB Procedures
• IRPCS including Navigation lights
• Pilotage
• Emergency procedures
• Securing to a mooring buoy
• Anchoring

The RYA Coastal Skipper practical course is aimed at those students who have completed the RYA Day Skipper course or are at that level.

It is also for those who have ambitions to take charge and want to learn how to make full use of their skills on longer or more complex passages.

An important aspect of this RYA Coastal Skipper course is learning to take command and make decisions resulting in relaxed, well-planned passages and a happy crew.

This course is the last official practical power vessel course in the cruising scheme and is designed to guide you to the level where you can complete and pass the Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate of Competence examination.

By the time you reach this level you should have completed the Yachtmaster level of theory training and have substantial practical experience.

You should have completed the many miles and days of passage making and skippering required to enable you to confidently take on the Yachtmaster Certificate of Competence examination.

This is a five-day course and all books and materials needed for the course are included in the course fee.

At the end of the course you will receive a certificate of course completion.

• Minimum age to attend is 17.
• Maximum ratio of students to Instructor is 5:1.

The preparation course is intended to act as a refresher on pilotage, boat handling, safety, skippering and passage planning.

Exercises like blind navigation, electronic navigation (Radar and GPS), night pilotage and MOB procedures are also considered.

During the course and subsequently your exam, students will be set tasks to demonstrate their ability at the Yachtmaster level and you can be asked questions on any part of the syllabus. Including both practical and theory subjects.

This is a five-day course and all books and materials needed for the course are included in the course fee.

Included on your course:

• 5 days on board the school training vessel
• Provision of the RYA’s Motor Cruising Logbook (code G158)
• All fuel and services
• Refreshments and food whilst on board
• Foul weather gear if required
• Overnight accommodation onboard can be arranged (Extra Cost)
• Free parking

Yachtmaster Coastal Certificate of Competence Exam Pre-requisites:

• 30 days on board
• 800 miles logged
• 12 night hours
• 2 days as Skipper
• Acceptable First Aid Certificate
• SRC or VHF Certificate
• RYA Sea Survival Course (recommended), but compulsory if you are seeking a MCA/RYA Commercial Endorsement

Note: For holders of the RYA Coastal Skipper Course Completion Certificate Sea Time is reduced to 15 days and 400 miles

Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate of Competence Exam Pre-requisites:

• 50 days motor cruising
•  2,500 miles logged
• 50 night hours
• 5 passages of 60 miles or more (with 2 overnight and 2 as skipper) On qualifying vessels
• Acceptable First Aid Certificate
• SRC or VHF Certificate
• RYA Sea Survival Course (recommended, But compulsory if you are seeking a MCA/RYA Commercial Endorsement)

The Yachtmaster Offshore is competent to skipper a power vessel is no more than 150 miles from a Safe Haven.

The Yachtmaster Prep Course is designed to test, review and improve any areas of deficiency. Exam times can be over 8 hours for one student.

The aim is to gain confidence in advanced pilotage skills and in navigating at night. As well as building on skills attained by the student at Day Skipper or intermediate powerboat level.

A person undertaking this course may gain essential practice and experience prior to attending a Coastal Skipper or the Advanced Powerboat course.

This is a two-day course and all books and materials needed for the course are included in the course fee.

Minimum age to attend is 17.

The areas covered are:

• Passage Planning
• Preparation for Sea
• Pilotage
• Passage-making and responsibility as a Skipper
• Radar/AIS
• Boat Handling
• Adverse weather conditions
• Emergency situations
• Night cruising

to Instructor is 3:1.