BASIC NAVIGATION AND SAFETY COURSE                                                                                   

This recently introduced 2-day course provides the ideal introduction into navigation, seamanship and safety and is equally applicable to both sail and power.

The course is aimed at a variety of different groups encompassing people new to (or with limited experience of) boating or to those already enaged in activities such as angling, diving, powerboat, motor boating, dinghy and keelboat sailors.  In fact, anybody wishing to enhance their enjoyment and safety by additional knowledge.

The syllabus provides a sound foundation and familiarisation of charts, navigation, good seamanship and safety awareness before deciding whether to progress onto more comprehensive courses such as Day Skipper.

Conducted over two consecutive days, the course covers a wide range of topics, including charts and publications, safety, engine checks, buoyage, tidal awareness, visual and electronic navigation, pilotage, rules of the road, anchoring, weather forecasts and passage planning.

Unlike other shore-based courses, there is no end-of-course examination; instead it is based on ongoing assessment of the attendee's ability to grasp the key principals.

Award:  RYA Basic Navigation Course Completion Certificate.

DAY SKIPPER THEORY, SAIL & POWER

Aim: The day skipper course is intended to equip the sailor with enough knowledge to navigate around familiar waters by day, and a basic knowledge of lights is also included in case you arrive back in darkness.
This course is invaluable for those who want to start making decisions on board. Especially those beginners and crew who would like to become more actively involved in navigation. It is a comprehensive introduction to sailing for would-be skippers.
Suggested Previous Experience: Some practical yachting or motor cruising experience is desirable.
Content: The course covers the basics of coastal navigation and pilotage, covering chart work, position fixing, plotting a course to steer, weather forecasting and meteorology, a knowledge of tides and International Regulations for Prevention of Collisions at Sea (IRPCS) and electronic charts. Other topics covered include the construction, parts and equipment of a yacht, safety procedures (emergency and safety equipment and procedures such as distress calls, use of flares, safety harnesses, life jackets and liferafts) and the basics of seamanship.
The full course syllabus is contained in RYA Logbooks G15 or G18.
Award: RYA Day Skipper shorebased certificate.

Aim: An advanced course building on the Day Skipper syllabus for more experienced skippers, which takes them up to the theory knowledge required for Coastal Skipper and Yachtmaster practical exams. Specifically concentrating on advanced navigation and meteorology skills.
The aim of the course is to equip the skipper to navigate safely during coastal and offshore passages.
Suggested Previous Experience: Navigation to Day Skipper shorebased standard with experience of coastal yachting or motor cruising.
Course content: The course devotes some revision time to the basics but covers advanced navigation techniques, including position fixing, course shaping and plotting, tidal knowledge and use of Almanacs, admiralty publications and electronic position finding equipment. The advanced meteorology tuition includes the taking and interpretation of forecasts, plotting of weather systems and weather predictions using barometer and observation. Students are shown how to use this information when planning and executing passage plans. The course also covers customs and excise regulations for going to and returning from abroad. The International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (IRPCS) are also dealt with in great detail.
The full course syllabus is in the RYA logbook G15 available from Seaborne Charter & Tuition. Award: RYA Coastal Skipper / Yachtmaster Shorebased Certificate

MARINE RADIO SHORT RANGE CERTIFICATE COURSE

Aim: The Short Range Certificate (SRC) is the radio operator qualification which authorises the holder to operate a VHF radiotelephone fitted with Digital Selective Calling (DSC) on board any British vessel which is voluntarily fitted with radio equipment.
If you own a marine VHF radio, hand held or fixed on the boat, you are required by law to hold an operator’s licence. This means that you know the procedures and avoid clogging up the airwaves with unnecessary transmissions, which could block out a Mayday distress call.
The VHF is an important piece of safety equipment on board a small craft – this one-day course teaches the basics of radio operation, the correct frequencies (channels) to be used, distress, emergency, and medical assistance procedures and how to make ship-to-shore telephone calls.
Suggested Previous Experience: None.  But you should study the RYA Booklets G22 & G26 before attending the course.
Course Content: You will learn normal voice procedures for VHF radio and the use of Digital Selective Calling (DSC) using simulators, followed by a short written test. This standard qualification for the operation of equipment using procedures and techniques also covers GMDSS equipment such as Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRB) and Search and Rescue Transponder (SART) as part of the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS).
Digital Selective Calling (DSC) is an integral part of all new VHF sets. This feature allows calls to specific vessels.
Holders of the old VHF licence will need to upgrade their qualifications if they purchase new equipment.
Award: GMDSS Short Range Certificate if successful.

Call 01473 736625, or click here to e-mail enquiries@seabornecharter.co.uk

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