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.Whether you’re revising for your RYA Short Range Certificate (SRC) assessment or brushing up before your next passage, this collection gives you the quick-reference tools you need to sound like you know what you’re doing on the VHF. From standard marine prowords (so you say the right thing at the right time) to the NATO phonetic alphabet (no more stumbling over spellings), each download is designed for real-world use afloat and during exam prep.
You’ll find plain-English explanations, print-friendly crib sheets, and student-focused revision aids that help you practise calls, improve radio discipline, and reduce on-air nerves. These resources pair perfectly with My Sailing Course lessons and are ideal for RYA instructors to share with students.
Free to download. Just sign up, grab the crib sheets, and take them with you on your next training session or trip.
Heading out to sea? Make sure you know exactly which inshore sea area you’re sailing in — and which coastguard to call if you need assistance. This free crib sheet gives you a clear, easy-to-follow overview of the UK’s Inshore Waters Forecast sea areas, including…
PDF · 1 file · 260.89 KB
Updated 15 April 2026 · 44,118 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. From “Alpha” to “Zulu,” each code word is designed to avoid confusion when letters sound similar,…
PDF · 1 file · 123.95 KB
Updated 8 October 2025 · 2,008 downloads
This script outlines the message that should be broadcast on Channel 16 if you are in grave and imminent danger. It provides the structure for the message and blank spaces (with notes) for what you need to fill in for your vessel and situation.
PDF · 1 file · 31.61 KB
Updated 23 July 2025 · 304 downloads
Whether you’re preparing for your SRC(VHF) exam or simply brushing up on your communications discipline, this crib sheet puts the essential marine prowords at your fingertips. Prowords (procedure words) are standardized signal‐communication shortcuts—like “Over,” “Correction,” and “Say Again”—that ensure clarity, brevity, and mutual understanding over…
PDF · 1 file · 344.18 KB
Updated 5 September 2026 · 8,089 downloads
Stay Safe and Be Heard at Sea This guide to GMDSS VHF DSC Procedures for Small Boat Users is designed to help you understand how to use your marine VHF radio correctly, confidently, and in line with international safety standards. Whether you’re making a routine call, requesting…
PDF · 1 file · 220.94 KB
Updated 15 April 2026 · 10,117 downloads
Our 1% commitment
My Sailing Course contributes 1% of every Stripe payment to help promising carbon removal technologies move from the lab into the field.
Stripe Climate commitments fund the development and purchase of carbon removal. They are not carbon offsets or credits attached to an individual order.
Welcome to My Sailing Course. Where's this adventure going to take you?
Ahoy there, Visiting Sailor! Ask us anything—whether you need help choosing a course, have a sailing question, or want to speak to the crew.
Scan with your phone to open the My Sailing Course WhatsApp service. You can review or edit the prepared message before sending it.
Your conversation stays with My Sailing Course so our Support team can respond securely.
Enter at least two characters to explore.
Welcome back aboard. Sign in with the email address connected to your My Sailing Course account.
Your account details are encrypted in transit and your password is never displayed or stored by this form. By continuing, you agree to our Terms & Conditions and acknowledge our Privacy Policy.
Join free to save your favourites, unlock bonus learning resources and keep everything nautical close at hand.
Join the My Sailing Course community with one secure account for your courses, profile and support.
We've successfully created your account. Hold station for a few moments and you will be returned to the page.
Already have an account? Sign in
Enter your account email and we will send you a secure reset link.
This reset link is invalid or has expired.
Your new password is saved securely. We are confirming it across My Sailing Course before you sign in.
Please keep this window open. It will change to the sign-in form as soon as every service confirms the update.
