By Marcin Wojtyczka

4 minutes read

In this article in series about RYA certifications we reveal what is covered by the Yachtmaster Offshore Shorebased Theory course.

RYA Yachtmaster Offshore Shorebased Theory course is an advanced 6 days training in navigation and meteorology for candidates for the Coastal Skipper and Yachtmaster Certificates.

It is recommended to take the RYA Yachtmaster Theory course before the practical exams, especially if you have not sat at the chart table for a while. Holding the RYA Yachtmaster Theory is also required if your long-term goal is to become the Officer of the Watch 3000GT.

Syllabus

The Yachtmaster theory course provides instruction in tides and tidal streams, pilotage, meteorology, safety at sea, passage planning and advanced navigation techniques including yacht positioning, use of a magnetic compass, GPS and chart plotters.

1. Position

  • Dead reckoning and estimated position
  • Satellite-derived position
  • Use of waypoints to fix position
  • Radar fixes
  • Techniques of visual fixing
  • Fixes using a mixture of position lines
  • Relative accuracy of different methods of position fixing
  • Area of uncertainty

2. The magnetic compass

  • Allowance for variation
  • Change of variation with time and position
  • Causes of deviation
  • Swing for deviation
  • Allowance for deviation
  • Different types of compasses (magnetic, gyro, fluxgate, GPS)

3. Tides

  • Causes of the tide – Springs and Neaps
  • Tide tables – sources (charts, Yachtsmen’s Almanacs)
  • Tidal levels and datum
  • Standard and secondary ports
  • Tide anomalies (Solent, etc.)

4. Tidal Streams

  • Sources of tidal information
  • Tidal stream information in charts and Yachtsmen’s Almanacs
  • Allowance for tidal streams in computing a course to steer and estimated position
  • Tide rips, overfalls and races
  • Tidal observation buoys, beacons etc.

5. Buoyage

  • IALA system buoyage in Regions A and B
  • Limitations of buoys as navigational aids

6. Lights

  • Light Characteristics
  • Ranges – visual, geographical, luminous and nominal
  • Rising and dipping distances
  • Light lists

7. Pilotage

  • Harbour regulations and control signals
  • Methods of pre-planning
  • Clearing lines
  • Use of soundings
  • Transits and leading lines

8. GPS and chart plotters

  • Principles of operation and limitations of use
  • Raster and vector charts
  • Datum
  • Importance of confirmation of position by an independent source and keeping a separate record of position
  • Importance of paper charts
  • Symbols used in charts

9. Echo sounders

  • Principles of operation and limitations of use

10. Logs (speed and distance measuring)

  • Principles of operation limitations of use

11. Deck log

  • Importance of logbook as yacht’s official document
  • Layout of a logbook, hourly and occasional entries

12. Meteorology

  • Basic terms
  • Air masses
  • Cloud types
  • Weather patterns associated with pressure and frontal systems
  • Sources of weather forecasts
  • Ability to interpret a shipping forecast, synoptic charts and weather satellite information
  • Land and sea breezes
  • Sea fog
  • Use of barometer as a forecasting aid

13. Rules of the Road

  • A sound knowledge of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (ColRegs), except Annexes 1 and 3

14. Safety at Sea

  • Personal safety, use of lifejackets, safety harnesses and lifelines
  • Fire prevention and fire fighting
  • Distress signals
  • Coastguard and Boat Safety scheme
  • Preparation for heavy weather
  • Liferafts and helicopter rescue
  • Understanding of the capabilities of the vessel and basic knowledge of stability

15. Navigation in restricted visibility

  • Precautions to be taken in fog
  • Limitations to safe navigation imposed by fog
  • Navigation in poor visibility

16. Passage planning

  • Preparation of charts and notebook for route planning and making, and use at sea
  • Customs regulations as they apply to yachts
  • Routine for navigating in coastal waters
  • Strategy for course laying
  • Use of waypoints and routes
  • Use of weather forecast information for passage planning strategy
  • Sources of local and national regulations

Accompanying course materials

Provided as part of the course: