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.To allow a line, chain or cable to move through its lead or controlling equipment. A line may be ordered to run freely or under controlled rendering, depending on the operation. The word can also describe how a line is routed, as in running it through a block, so crew instructions should make the intended…
Lines, wire and associated movable equipment used to hoist, lower, trim or control sails, spars and other gear. Halyards, sheets, guys, lifts, reefing lines and control lines are typical examples, working through blocks, sheaves, tracks, clutches, cleats and winches. Unlike standing rigging, these components move or are adjusted during operation, although some remain loaded for…
A deliberately reactive metal component that corrodes in preference to protected underwater metalwork. The anode is electrically connected to the metal it protects, such as a propeller, shaft, stern gear, drive unit or bonded fitting. Zinc, aluminium and magnesium alloys are used in different environments and systems; the correct material depends on water type, protected…
The principal international treaty establishing minimum safety standards for the construction, equipment and operation of applicable ships. The current framework is SOLAS 1974, as amended, whose chapters cover matters including structure, fire protection, life-saving appliances, radiocommunications, navigation, cargoes, safety management and specialised ship types. Flag states implement and certify compliance, with port-state-control provisions allowing inspection…
A compartment intended for stowing sails and associated sail-handling equipment. It may be a dedicated forepeak or deck locker or a dry storage space within the accommodation, depending on vessel design. Sail bags, battens, sheets and covers need restraint and organisation so the required sail can be removed without damaging cloth or blocking access. Wet…
An inboard-engine drive unit whose geared leg passes through the hull and carries the propeller. The engine is mounted inside the vessel and drives through a gearbox and vertical or inclined leg, avoiding the long exposed shaft and separate stern gland of a conventional shaft drive. The installation commonly uses a flexible diaphragm or seal…
An internationally recognised Morse-code distress signal formed by three dots, three dashes and three dots sent as one continuous sequence. SOS was selected for its distinctive radio-telegraph pattern and is not formally an abbreviation for ‘Save Our Souls’ or ‘Save Our Ship’. It can be conveyed by radio telegraphy, light or another signalling method capable…
The ratio between the length of anchor rode deployed and the vertical distance from the anchor roller to the seabed. For example, 30 metres of rode in a total vertical depth of 5 metres gives a scope of 6:1. The vertical distance must include the height of the bow roller or fairlead above the water…
A drain or opening that carries water from a deck, cockpit or other exposed area overboard or into a drainage system. A scupper may pass directly through the vessel’s side, connect by hose to an outlet or feed a freeing port or drain manifold. Its capacity and height relative to the waterline determine whether it…
A drag device deployed in the water to limit drift and control a vessel’s orientation relative to wind and waves. A sea anchor is commonly a parachute-shaped fabric device deployed from the bow or another designed strong point to hold the vessel broadly head-to-weather. It differs from a drogue, which is usually streamed astern to…
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...
Our 1% commitment
My Sailing Course contributes 1% of every Stripe payment to help promising carbon removal technologies move from the lab into the field.
Stripe Climate commitments fund the development and purchase of carbon removal. They are not carbon offsets or credits attached to an individual order.
Welcome to My Sailing Course. Where's this adventure going to take you?
Ahoy there, Visiting Sailor! Ask us anything—whether you need help choosing a course, have a sailing question, or want to speak to the crew.
Scan with your phone to open the My Sailing Course WhatsApp service. You can review or edit the prepared message before sending it.
Your conversation stays with My Sailing Course so our Support team can respond securely.
Enter at least two characters to explore.
Welcome back aboard. Sign in with the email address connected to your My Sailing Course account.
Your account details are encrypted in transit and your password is never displayed or stored by this form. By continuing, you agree to our Terms & Conditions and acknowledge our Privacy Policy.
Join free to save your favourites, unlock bonus learning resources and keep everything nautical close at hand.
Join the My Sailing Course community with one secure account for your courses, profile and support.
We've successfully created your account. Hold station for a few moments and you will be returned to the page.
Already have an account? Sign in
Enter your account email and we will send you a secure reset link.
This reset link is invalid or has expired.
Your new password is saved securely. We are confirming it across My Sailing Course before you sign in.
Please keep this window open. It will change to the sign-in form as soon as every service confirms the update.
