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.
The first adult RYA National Sailing Scheme practical course, introducing sailing in a keelboat. It develops basic steering, sail control, points of sail, tacking, gybing and awareness of launching and recovery under instructional supervision. Completion is an introductory milestone rather than evidence of independent competence in all conditions; Level 2 develops decision-making and self-reliance.
The second adult RYA National Sailing Scheme practical course, developing independent sailing in a keelboat 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.
An RYA National Sailing Scheme practical course consolidating Level 2 skills and introducing more advanced sailing in a keelboat. 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…
An RYA advanced racing course developing performance at different venues and in more demanding keelboat 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 intermediate racing course developing the skills needed to compete effectively at club level in a keelboat. 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 practical motor-cruising course developing the ability to skipper short passages by day. It covers preparation, pilotage, navigation, safety, crew organisation, close-quarters manoeuvring, engines and responding to common emergencies. The course develops practical command at an introductory skipper level; capability remains limited by experience, vessel and conditions.
An introductory RYA practical motor-cruising course building confidence in handling a motor vessel. Training typically covers preparation, safety, engines, steering, speed control, berthing, securing and basic crew duties during short exercises. It is an introductory course-completion award rather than evidence of competence for unrestricted passages or commercial operation.
An oral examination for the RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Ocean Certificate of Competence. It assesses an eligible Yachtmaster Offshore holder’s ocean passage, celestial navigation, worldwide meteorology, passage planning, communications, crew management and emergency considerations. The candidate must provide the qualifying passage and sights or other evidence required by the current scheme. It is an examination, not the…
A practical examination for the RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate of Competence in a sailing vessel. The candidate demonstrates skippering, navigation, pilotage, safety, collision avoidance, passage management, crew leadership and yacht handling under sail and power. It is not a course-completion certificate. Current qualifying mileage, sea time, passages, age and supporting certificates must be evidenced under…
A practical examination for the RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Coastal Certificate of Competence in a motor vessel. Assessment covers skippering, coastal navigation, pilotage, safety, collision avoidance, crew leadership and close-quarters motor-cruiser handling on passages that remain within coastal reach. The certificate standard and prerequisites are distinct from Yachtmaster Offshore. Current sea-time and supporting-certificate requirements must be checked…
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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