All our courses are engaging, interactive and fun! Whether formal training or simply looking to brush up, we take online learning to the next level.
Sailing EssentialsFreeA free course great for anyone who spends time on the water.
Essential Navigation & SeamanshipRYA course for beginners. Learn charts, tides, pilotage, and core seamanship with simple practice tasks.
Day Skipper TheoryMost PopularRYA course for inshore skippers. Plan day passages using chartwork, tides, weather, and COLREGs.
Coastal Skipper / Yachtmaster® TheoryComing SoonRYA course for advanced navigation and passage planning, secondary ports, tidal streams, and offshore weather.
SRC (VHF) Marine Radio CourseRYA Short Range Certificate radio course. Study online, then take the practical exam with an RYA assessor.Are you looking for something nautical related? Our directory is an extensive list of courses and places associated with the marine industry. Hop over and search now.
We believe every day’s a school day on a boat! That’s why we built Nautical Know-How, dedicated to answering your questions. Even better, if it can’t answer your question immediately, you can request it, and we’ll add it to our knowledge base.
Nautical Terms & TerminologyUnderstanding the language of the marine world is like trying to learn a pirate’s secret code while juggling fish. Let us explain why a sheet isn’t for your bed, why “heave ho” doesn’t mean throw up (most of the time), and why “dead reckoning” is surprisingly less ominous than it sounds.
Why do we have tides?Have you ever wondered what causes the tides? Check out this video, which introduces the forces that create the tides we experience on Earth.
What causes our weather?A video introducing the drivers behind our weather, part of our RYA Day Skipper & RYA Coastal Skipper / Yachtmaster® Offshore theory courses.
Buoyage FlashcardsFlashcards designed to help remember the buoys in the IALA system. If you want to learn them in detail, our module ‘Getting in and out of harbour‘, covers the IALA system and different buoys used.
Interactive Rule Book (COLREGs / IRPCS)Whether you’re a novice sailor or a seasoned skipper, we can help you navigate the IRPCS confidently and clearly. Our easy-to-use, easy-to-understand, plain English rule book with helpful interpretations of what each rule means.
The Salty Sea BlogFrom salty old sea dogs to fresh-faced deckhands, this blog is for anyone who finds peace, adventure, and a bit of mischief on the water. So hoist the main, set your course, and let’s sail into the stories, lessons, and musings that make life on the sea so irresistible.Looking for high-quality sailing resources you can trust? You’re in the right place. This collection of free downloadable sailing materials is designed to help sailors at every stage of their learning—whether you’re preparing for an RYA course, brushing up on your navigation skills, or just starting out.
You’ll find crib sheets, checklists, revision guides, radio prowords, weather tools, and more—all created to support your studies and time on the water. Best of all, these resources are completely free to access, with no signup requiredand no affiliation needed—they’re available to everyone, no matter which sailing school or training centre you’re with.
We believe great resources should be shared. So browse the collection, download what you need, and check back regularly—we’re always adding new tools to help make better sailors.
This is a worksheet for capturing weather forecast information to help interpret and monitor the forecast for maritime purposes. The technique for capturing the forecast is taught in the Weather (Meteorology) module of the Sailing Essentials and Day Skipper Theory courses.
PDF · 1 file · 49.01 KB
Updated 4 July 2025 · 2,294 downloads
His Majesty’s Coastguard is responsible in the UK for broadcasting marine weather forecasts and Maritime Safety Information (MSI) on NAVTEX, VHF and MF and providing the Radio Medical Advice Link Call (MEDILINK) Service.
PDF · 1 file · 274.20 KB
Updated 4 July 2025 · 2,199 downloads
Worksheet for calculating the hour-of-tide when looking up tidal stream information from a tidal diamond table or atlas.
PDF · 1 file · 41.44 KB
Updated 4 July 2025 · 502 downloads
The SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) Life Saving Signals card, commonly called the SOLAS No. 2 card, is an essential tool for mariners and rescue personnel.
PDF · 1 file · 499.99 KB · Version 1.0
Updated 8 July 2025 · 3,021 downloads
Unlock the timeless art of visual communication with our Semaphore Signals Guide! This must-have download breaks down the semaphore alphabet with clear illustrations of each arm position and corresponding letters, numbers, and special signals.
PDF · 1 file · 2.65 MB · Version 1.2
Updated 11 May 2025 · 4,250 downloads
Available with the required course access.
PDF · 1 file · 18.90 MB
Updated 23 July 2026 · 1,336 downloads
Take the guesswork out of voyage preparation with our Passage Planning Template! Designed to keep your journeys smooth and stress-free, this customisable template helps you organise every trip detail—from waypoints and weather forecasts to tidal calculations and safety checks.
PDF · 1 file · 67.85 KB
Updated 24 September 2026 · 14,988 downloads
This crib sheet provides a clear and easy-to-follow reference for the NATO Phonetic Alphabet — the internationally recognised system used to spell out letters clearly over radio or telephone.
PDF · 1 file · 123.95 KB
Updated 8 October 2025 · 2,012 downloads
Maritime & Coastguard Agency lifesaving signals table, including pictures and descriptive information on the signals you can use when in distress at sea. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) in the United Kingdom oversees maritime safety, including the use of life-saving signals.
PDF · 1 file · 1.00 MB · Version 1.0
Updated 11 May 2025 · 879 downloads
Sound off your knowledge with our IRPCS Sound Signals Guide! This essential download brings the Day Skipper Theory & YachtMaster syllabus to life by demystifying the crucial language of short blasts, prolonged sounds, and rapid signals.
PDF · 1 file · 153.92 KB
Updated 8 October 2025 · 214 downloads
Light up your knowledge with our IRPCS Light Definitions Crib Sheet, designed for those aiming to conquer the Yachtmaster exam! This essential download puts Rule 21: Definitions at your fingertips, breaking down the shapes, colours, and arcs of visibility that every advanced sailor must know.
PDF · 1 file · 88.51 KB
Updated 3 June 2025 · 131 downloads
Are you looking to brush up on your Morse code skills or add a dash of old-school communication to your toolbox? Download our comprehensive Morse Code Signals guide!
PDF · 1 file · 2.65 MB · Version 1.2
Updated 10 May 2025 · 2,225 downloads
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