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.Courses and exams run by RYA Training Centres, following an RYA syllabus and structure.
An advanced RYA practical powerboat course for planning and conducting demanding coastal passages by day and night. It develops pilotage, navigation, boat handling, weather decisions, crew management, collision avoidance and emergency response in a suitable planing or displacement craft. The course-completion certificate is distinct from the RYA/MCA Advanced Powerboat examination and Certificate of Competence.
An RYA practical course teaching safe and responsible operation of a personal watercraft. Training covers controls, low- and higher-speed handling, stopping, manoeuvres, collision avoidance, local restrictions, safety equipment and emergency action. The certificate may be requested by operators or authorities but legal requirements vary by location; it is not permission to disregard local age, licensing…
An advanced RYA shorebased navigation course supporting coastal skippering and preparation for Yachtmaster examinations. It develops chartwork, tides, meteorology, collision regulations, electronic and traditional navigation, pilotage, passage planning and emergency decision-making. The course certificate records theoretical achievement and does not itself award a Yachtmaster Certificate of Competence or replace qualifying sea time.
An advanced RYA shorebased course in ocean navigation, celestial techniques and worldwide passage planning. It covers position by celestial observations, time, sextant use, sight reduction, ocean meteorology, routeing, communications and management of an ocean passage. The theory certificate is not the Yachtmaster Ocean Certificate of Competence; that requires separate eligibility, a qualifying passage and an…
An RYA shorebased navigation course providing the theory needed to plan and conduct coastal passages at day-skipper level. It covers charts, position fixing, course shaping, tides, weather, buoyage, collision regulations, pilotage, safety and passage planning. The course develops underpinning knowledge but does not replace practical skippering experience or the Day Skipper practical course.
An introductory RYA shorebased or online course covering basic navigation, safety and seamanship for small-craft users. Topics include charts, buoyage, position, course, tides, weather, collision avoidance, pilotage, safety equipment and passage planning at a foundation level. It is a knowledge course and does not assess practical boat handling. Current delivery format and assessment arrangements depend…
An RYA intermediate racing course developing the skills needed to compete effectively at club level in a multihull. It builds boat handling, speed, starting, rules knowledge, tactics and the ability to make a race plan from the conditions and course. The course follows introductory racing experience and precedes the more advanced regional-racing level; current entry…
An RYA advanced racing course developing performance at different venues and in more demanding multihull competition. Training refines preparation, starting, boat speed, tactics, strategy and adaptation to unfamiliar courses, fleets and weather. It is intended for sailors with established racing experience. Coaching content varies with discipline, class and the conditions available.
An RYA National Sailing Scheme practical course consolidating Level 2 skills and introducing more advanced sailing in a multihull. Training improves boat control, sail trim, manoeuvres and decision-making across a wider range of conditions and may prepare sailors for advanced modules. It is a progression course rather than a universal advanced qualification; competence remains dependent…
The second adult RYA National Sailing Scheme practical course, developing independent sailing in a multihull in good conditions. It consolidates rigging, launching, recovery, sailing in all directions, tacking, gybing, stopping and basic safety decisions. The standard is venue and condition dependent. Further practice and Level 3 broaden control and confidence beyond the sheltered training context.
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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