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.The Annexes of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (IRPCS) supplement the main rules and provide detailed technical and operational specifications to ensure safe navigation and prevent collisions. These annexes address specific areas of maritime operations and equipment requirements, supporting the practical implementation of the Colregs. Here’s a description of each annex:
Annex I: Positioning and Technical Details of Lights and Shapes
Specifies the placement, range, visibility, and technical details of navigation lights and day shapes required by the IRPCS.
Ensures consistency and compliance for vessels of different sizes and designs.
Annex II: Additional Signals for Fishing Vessels Fishing in Close Proximity
Outlines specific signals fishing vessels use to communicate their activities and avoid collisions while operating in close quarters.
Annex III: Technical Details of Sound Signal Appliances
Provides specifications for sound signalling devices, including their construction, audibility range, and operation requirements.
Annex IV: Distress Signals
Lists the internationally recognised signals that indicate a vessel is in distress and requires assistance.
Includes visual, auditory, and electronic signals like flares, flags, radio transmissions, and flashing lights.
Annex V: Pilot Vessels (Optional for Some Jurisdictions)
Offers guidelines for identifying and operating pilot vessels, ensuring their activities are clearly understood by other vessels.
These annexes are essential for mariners, shipbuilders, and regulators to ensure that vessels meet the technical and operational requirements to maintain sea safety.
1. The following signals, used or exhibited either together or separately, indicate distress and need of assistance: 2. The use or exhibition of any of the foregoing signals except for the purpose of indicating distress and need of assistance and the use of other signals which may be confused with any of the above signals…
1. Whistles Length of vessel in metres 1/3-octave band level at 1 m in dB referred to 2×10-5 N/m2 Audibility range in nautical miles 200 or more 143 2 75 but less than 200 138 1.5 20 but less than 75 130 1 Less than 20 120*115†111‡ 0.5 * When the measured frequencies lie within the…
1. General The lights mentioned herein shall, is exhibited in pursuance of Rule 26 (d), be places where they can best be seen. They shall be at least 0.9 m apart but at a lower level than lights prescribed in Rule 26 (b)(i) and (c)(i). The lights shall be visible all round the horizon at…
1. Definition The term “height above the hull” means height above the uppermost continuous deck. This height shall be measured from the position vertically beneath the location of the light. 2. Vertical positioning and spacing of lights 3. Horizontal positioning and spacing of lights 4. Details of location of direction-indicating lights for fishing vessels, dredgers and…
If you belive the Earth is flat, you're about to fall of the end...
If you belive the Earth is flat, you're about to fall of the end...
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