Subject to the weather and other conditions, your instructor's aim will be to take you through the whole of the RYA's syllabus for this course.
Preparation for sea Is able to prepare a yacht for sea, including engine checks, selection of sails, securing and stowage of gear on deck and below
Deck work Can reef, shake out reefs and change sails to suit prevailing conditions Can prepare an anchor, mooring warps and take charge on deck when mooring alongside, coming to a buoy, anchoring, weighing anchor and slipping from a buoy or an alongside berth
Navigation
Is proficient in chartwork and routine navigational duties on passage including:
Taking and plotting visual fixes
Use of electronic navigation equipment for position fixing
Use of waypoints
Working up DR and EP
Estimating tidal heights and tidal streams
Working out course to steer to allow for tidal stream, leeway and drift
Knowledge of IALA buoyage
Maintenance of navigational records
Use of echo sounder and lead line
Pilotage Can prepare and execute a pilotage plan for entry into, or departure from, harbour
Understands the use of leading and clearing lines Use of transits and soundings as aids to pilotage
Meteorology Knows sources of forecast information Can interpret shipping forecasts and use a barometer as a forecasting aid
Rule of the road Has a working knowledge of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea
Maintenance and repair work
Understands and is able to carry out maintenance tasks
Knows the properties and uses of common synthetic fibre ropes
Engines Knows how to change fuel and water filters, pump impeller and to bleed the fuel system
Victualling Understands how to victual a yacht
Emergency situations Is able to take correct action as skipper for recovery of man overboard
Understands distress flares and how to use a liferaft
Can operate a radio telephone in an emergency and send a distress message
Understands how to secure a tow Understands rescue procedures including helicopter rescue
Yacht handling under power Can bring a boat safely to and from and alongside berth, mooring buoy and anchor under various conditions of wind and tide
Yacht handling under sail Can bring a yacht safely to and from a mooring buoy and anchor under various conditions of wind and tide Can steer and trim sails effectively on all points of sailing
Passage making Can plan and make a coastal passage, taking account of relevant navigational hazards and limitations imposed by the type of boat and the strength of the crew
Is able to prepare a yacht for sea, including engine checks, selection of sails, securing and stowage of gear on deck and below