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.A shore facility that coordinates maritime search-and-rescue operations within an assigned search-and-rescue region. An MRCC receives distress alerts, assesses the incident, develops a search-and-rescue plan and tasks or coordinates suitable rescue units, vessels, aircraft and supporting services. It may work with adjacent centres and aeronautical rescue coordination centres. The centre coordinates rather than necessarily carrying…
The IHO framework for creating interoperable digital maritime data-product specifications. S-100 is based on the ISO 19100 family of geographic-information standards and provides registries, feature catalogues, portrayal, metadata and exchange mechanisms. Product specifications built on it include S-101 electronic navigational charts, S-102 bathymetric surfaces and S-104 water levels. S-100 is a framework rather than a…
An intergovernmental organisation that coordinates international hydrography and standards for nautical charts and marine geospatial information. The IHO develops specifications, guidance and capacity-building programmes to improve the consistency and availability of hydrographic data and services. National hydrographic offices remain responsible for surveying and publishing official products in their jurisdictions. Its standards include the S-57 framework…
Permission from a port health authority for a vessel to communicate with the shore and conduct permitted port operations after health requirements are satisfied. Free pratique may be granted on the basis of a maritime declaration of health and other pre-arrival information, or after inspection where required. Procedures vary by state, port, voyage history and…
An international organisation founded in 1945 through which member states cooperate on peace, security, development, human rights and international law. Its principal organs include the General Assembly, Security Council, Economic and Social Council, International Court of Justice, Secretariat and Trusteeship Council. A wider UN system includes specialised agencies such as the IMO, ITU and WMO….
The United Nations specialised agency for digital technologies, telecommunications and international radiocommunication coordination. The International Telecommunication Union allocates international radio-frequency spectrum and coordinates satellite-orbit use, develops technical standards and supports connectivity and capacity building. Its Radiocommunication Sector maintains the Radio Regulations framework used by maritime radio services. Member-state administrations license stations and enforce national requirements,…
An international diplomatic conference convened to agree regulations for radiotelegraph and related radio services. Early conferences addressed ship and coast-station communications, distress traffic, call signs, interference and operating procedures as wireless telegraphy expanded internationally. The 1906 Berlin conference produced the first International Radiotelegraph Convention. The conference system evolved through later radiotelegraph and radio conferences into…
The United States armed service responsible for maritime safety, security and stewardship, with military and law-enforcement functions. Its missions include search and rescue, aids to navigation, vessel safety, marine environmental protection, port and waterway security, law enforcement, defence readiness and ice operations. It normally operates within the Department of Homeland Security and may serve under…
The senior deck officer immediately below the master on a merchant vessel. Also called the chief officer or first mate, this officer normally manages the deck department and has major responsibilities for cargo operations, stability, maintenance, safety equipment, drills and crew organisation. Duties vary with vessel type, flag, company and manning arrangements. The chief mate…
A certificated member of a ship’s deck department who performs navigational watches and deck-management duties. Depending on rank, a deck officer may plan and monitor passages, keep bridge watches, supervise cargo, stability, mooring, safety equipment, maintenance and personnel, and carry out duties delegated by the master or chief mate. Certification, rank and permitted duties are…
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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