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 forward part of a vessel’s starboard side, or the relative direction forward of the starboard beam. As a structural location it lies towards the bow on the right when facing forward. As a lookout report, an object on the starboard bow lies in the sector between approximately dead ahead and abeam to starboard. The…
The after part of a vessel’s starboard side, or the relative direction abaft the starboard beam. As a structural location it lies towards the stern on the right when facing forward. As a lookout report, an object on the starboard quarter lies in the sector between approximately abeam and astern to starboard. The directional reference…
The tack on which the wind is coming from the vessel’s starboard side. On a conventional fore-and-aft rig the mainsail and boom are normally to port, but sail position is evidence rather than the definition and backed or unusual sails can mislead. Tack is determined by the side from which the wind is received. Under…
A tensioned part of the standing rigging that supports a mast, normally in a fore-and-aft direction. Forestays lead forward and backstays lead aft, while additional inner or intermediate stays can support particular sections of the mast or carry sails. Stays may be wire, rod, fibre or another engineered component appropriate to the rig. They work…
A helm order to stop the vessel’s swing and maintain its present heading. The order tells the helm to use the rudder as necessary to arrest an ongoing turn and then keep the heading reached, rather than returning automatically to the heading held before the turn began. The heading should be reported or confirmed in…
An informal name for the forward masthead light shown by a power-driven vessel when underway. The expression “steaming light” is widely used on small craft, particularly for the white light displayed above the sidelights when a sailing vessel is proceeding under engine. In the collision regulations, the defined term is “masthead light,” not “steaming light.”…
The compass positioned so that the person steering can maintain and alter the vessel’s heading. It is normally mounted where its heading can be read readily from the helm and where vibration, movement and magnetic interference can be controlled. The compass may be magnetic or form part of an electronic heading system, depending on the…
The principal structural member or formed edge at the foremost part of a hull where its sides meet. In traditional construction the stem is a timber or metal member joining the keel and forward planking or plating. In moulded or welded hulls it may be an integrated shape rather than a separate piece, and it…
The rear or aft-most part of a vessel. The stern is opposite the bow and includes the after end of the hull and associated structure. Its form may be transom, counter, canoe, cruiser or another design and influences resistance, buoyancy, handling, wake and usable deck or accommodation space. Steering gear, propulsion, boarding arrangements, navigation lights…
A white navigation light showing over an unbroken 135-degree arc centred directly astern. Under the collision regulations it is arranged to show from dead astern to 67.5 degrees on each side of the vessel. Its required visibility range, height and relationship to other lights depend on vessel type, length and status. A sternlight identifies an…
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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