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.To secure a vessel, its rig and loose equipment in a compact, protected condition for heavy weather, harbour or inactivity. The expression can include reducing or stowing sails, lashing booms and movable gear, closing openings, securing lockers and preparing moorings, anchors or storm equipment. The actions depend on whether the vessel is under way, at…
To make an anchor dig into the seabed and develop holding resistance. After the anchor reaches the bottom and suitable rode is paid out, a gradually increasing load aligns it and encourages the flukes or body to penetrate. Setting is verified by observing position, transits, rode behaviour or other evidence while applying a load appropriate…
A removable load-bearing connector formed by a bow or body closed with a pin or bolt. Common marine types include D, bow, screw-pin and bolt-type shackles used in anchoring, mooring, lifting and rigging systems. Shape, material, pin type, working load limit and certification must suit the direction and nature of the load. Side loading, point…
A raised threshold across a harbour, marina, lock or dock entrance that limits or retains water depth. A marina sill is commonly an underwater barrier designed to retain a minimum water level inside a basin as the tide falls. A sill also forms the lower threshold beneath lock or dock gates and can determine the…
To ease a line in a controlled manner so that its tension is reduced. The instruction may apply to a sheet, halyard, mooring line, control line or tackle and can mean a small adjustment rather than complete release. ‘Slack away’ or ‘ease’ may be used similarly, but crew terminology should be agreed. A loaded line…
A portable fender kept ready to be positioned where unexpected contact is likely. It supplements fenders already rigged for berthing or rafting and can be moved to a changing contact point between vessels, a quay, pile or lock wall. A crew member may control it by a line, but should not use hands or feet…
The ratio between the length of anchor rode deployed and the vertical distance from the anchor roller to the seabed. For example, 30 metres of rode in a total vertical depth of 5 metres gives a scope of 6:1. The vertical distance must include the height of the bow roller or fairlead above the water…
A sideways tendency of a vessel’s stern caused by transverse forces from a rotating propeller. Also called transverse thrust or prop walk, it is often most noticeable when applying astern power at low speed before useful water flow reaches the rudder. Direction and strength depend on propeller rotation, shaft angle, aperture, hull and rudder geometry,…
To secure two or more vessels alongside one another, or the resulting group of vessels. A raft may form alongside a berth, mooring or anchored vessel when space or circumstances make individual berths impractical. Fenders and breast lines control contact between vessels, while springs and lines to shore or the primary mooring distribute the combined…
A line secured at or near the bow of a dinghy or other small boat for towing or making fast. The painter provides a ready means of securing the boat to a vessel, pontoon, mooring or shore fitting and may be used for towing when the boat and attachment point are suitable. It should be…
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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