Yacht Training
Yacht Training Specialist, Firth of Clyde, Scotland's West Coast
Day Skipper Shorebased Theory Course
Aim: Help you become more competent, knowledgeable and safer on the water.
A sound grasp of the principles of navigation, providing the foundations to get the best out of your GPS or chartplotter. This course covers both traditional and electronic techniques.
The Day Skipper Shorebased course provides a comprehensive introduction to chartwork, navigation, meteorology and the basics of seamanship.
Other Recommended Courses Following Course Completion:
Recommended & Required Reading Material:
Pre-course experience
Non, however some practical experience desirable.
Ability after the Course
The navigational theory required by a Skipper of a small boat combined with basic seamanship knowledge to provide foundation and understanding upon which to provide confidence when on the water.
Duration
40 hours teaching time, in addition to work which will need to be completed at home. There is also an assessment paper at the conclusion to the course.
Nautical terms
Parts of the boat and hull, General nautical terminology
Ropework
Knowledge of the properties of synthetic ropes in common use.
Anchorwork
Charteristics of different types of anchor, Considerations to be taken into account when anchoring
Safety
Knowledge of the safety equipment to be carried, its stowage and use, Fire fighting precautions and fire fighting, use or personal safety equipment, harnesses and lifejackets, ability to send a distress signal by VHF radiotelephone, Basic knowledge of rescue procedures including helicopter rescue.
International Regulations for Preventing a Collicion at Sea
Steering and sailing rules (5,7,8,9,10 and 12-19), Genral rules (all other rules)
Definition of position, course and speed
Latitude and longtitude, Knowledge of standard navigational terms, true bearings and courses, the knot.
Navigational charts and publications
Information shown on charts, chart symbols and representation of direction and distance, Navigational publications in common use, Chart correction.
Navigational drawing instruments
Use of parrallel rules, dividers and proprietary plotting instruments.
Compass
Application of variation, Awareness of deviation and its causes, Use of hand-bearing compass.
Chartwork
Dead reckoning and estimated position including an awareness of leeway, Techniques of visual fixing, Satellite-derived positions, Use of waypoints to fix position, Course to steer.
Tides and Tidal Streams
Tidal definitions, levels and datum. Tide tables. Use of Admiralty method of determining tidal height at standard port and awareness of corrections for secondary ports. Use of tidal diamonds and tidal stream atlases for chartwork
Visual aids to navigation
Lighthouses and beacons, light charteristics.
Meterology
Sources of broadcast meterological information, knowledge of terms used in shipping forecasts, including the Beaufort scale, and their significance to small craft. Basic knowlege of highs, lows and fronts.
Passage planning
Preparation of navigational plan for short coastal passges, Meteorological considerationsin planning short coastal passages, use of waypoints on passage, Importance of confirmation of position by an independant source, keeping a navigational record.
Navigation in restricted visibility
Precautions to be taken in, and limitations imposed by, fog.
Pilotage
Use of transits, leading lines and clearing lines. IALA system of buoyage for Region A, Use of Sailing directions, Pilotage plans and harbour entry.
Marine environment
Responsibility for avoiding pollution and protecting the marine environment.
Ability after the course
The navigational theory required by a Skipper of a small boat combined with basic seamanship knowledge to provide foundation and understanding upon which to provide confidence when on the water.
Duration
40 hours teaching time, in addition to work which will need to be completed at home. There is also an assessment paper at the conclusion to the course.
COURSE NAME AND DATES
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