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 historical compulsory recruitment of people into naval service by state authority. It is particularly associated with the British Royal Navy’s press gangs during periods of war, although practices varied by time and jurisdiction. The term describes coerced service rather than ordinary voluntary enlistment.
A mainsail reefing and stowage system in which the sail rolls around a foil inside the mast. The sail is deployed and reduced using furling and outhaul controls while maintaining suitable tension and boom angle. Poor sail shape, damaged battens, loose cloth or incorrect handling can cause a jam that is difficult to resolve under…
The area between the landward boundary of a traffic-separation scheme and the adjacent coast.
An official marine forecast for coastal waters close to shore. In the United Kingdom it covers named stretches of coast and includes wind, sea state, weather and visibility for stated periods. Area boundaries, update time and warnings should be checked before applying it to a passage.
The internationally adopted zero-longitude reference used by modern terrestrial coordinate systems. It lies close to, but not exactly on, the historic Greenwich transit-circle meridian because modern datums are geocentric. Navigation systems and charts normally express longitude within a stated geodetic datum tied to this reference.
A route that follows, or approximates, the shortest path between two positions on the Earth’s surface. Its course normally changes continuously and may be planned as a series of waypoints or composite legs to avoid high latitudes, weather, ice or hazards. It is most advantageous over long distances.
The path actually followed by a vessel or craft over the Earth’s surface. It results from heading and through-water or air motion combined with current, leeway or wind. Ground track is distinct from the intended route and is commonly monitored by GNSS and plotted positions.
Precipitation consisting of balls or irregular lumps of ice formed in strong convective clouds. Hail is associated chiefly with thunderstorms and can reduce visibility, make decks hazardous and damage sails, glazing or equipment. It differs from small ice pellets produced by other atmospheric processes.
The accidental winding of a halyard around a stay, mast fitting or furling sail. It can jam a furler and, under high load, damage the stay or rig. Correct halyard lead, adequate separation and suitable restrainers reduce the risk; a jam should not be forced without identifying the wrap.
A raised rim around a hatch opening that limits water entry and supports the hatch cover. Its height, strength and sealing surface contribute to the opening’s weathertight or watertight integrity. Drains, gaskets, dogs and the coaming itself must be kept clean and undamaged.
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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