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.Ahoy, fellow sea wanderers! If the smell of salt in the air, the rhythmic slap of waves against the hull, and the endless horizon call to your soul, you’ve found the right place. The Salty Sea Blog is a place for musings on sailing—whether it’s the thrill of a stiff breeze filling the sails, the quiet magic of a sunrise at anchor, or the camaraderie found in harbours worldwide.
From 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.
Fair winds and following seas! ⛵
A Practical Guide To Licensing Requirements If you have stood on a yacht and asked yourself whether you need a licence to take charge, you are not alone. Rules vary by country, the boat you sail, and whether you own or charter it. This guide covers the UK, Mediterranean, and Caribbean. It includes links to…
Stars, sextants, and the Nautical Almanac used to keep sailors alive. Now your phone does the sums in seconds. The questions have not changed. The risk has.
If you look hard enough, you’ll find a forecast that suits your plan. The skipper skill is confidence. Check the source, check the timestamp, cross-check, then decide for a reason.
The History of the Beaufort Scale The Beaufort Scale is perhaps one of the best-known ways to measure wind force, offering a standard method to classify wind speeds based on their effects both on land and at sea. It’s a valuable tool used by meteorologists, sailors, and engineers, significantly influencing modern understanding of wind strength…
A Tale of Big and Little Diomede Ah, time travel. A notion that’s been tickling our imaginations for donkey’s years. H.G. Wells scribbled about it, Doc Brown cobbled together a DeLorean for it, and Doctor Who nailed it with a flying blue police box. But what if I told you that time travel is already…
Why Some Sailors Just Can’t Stay Ashore The wind howls like a banshee, rain lashes against the windows, and the mere thought of venturing outside sends shivers down your spine. It’s a perfect day… for some hardy souls to don their foul-weather gear, wrestle their boats from the clutches of winter, and head out onto…
Why Verification is so Important in Marine Navigation For recreational sailors, whether seasoned skippers or weekend adventurers, the thrill of exploring the open waters comes with the responsibility of navigating safely and efficiently. While modern technology, such as GPS and electronic chart plotters, has made marine navigation more accessible and convenient than ever, relying solely…
The Enduring Value of Paper Charts in the Digital Age In today’s digital world, electronic nautical charts (ENCs) have become the norm for maritime navigation. With their real-time positioning, easy updates, and user-friendly interfaces, it’s easy to see why many mariners have shifted to digital solutions. As a racing skipper, I’m a huge fan of…
Why are bananas supposed to be bad luck on boats? If you’ve ever set sail or chatted with seasoned sailors, you might have stumbled upon a curious maritime superstition: bananas are bad luck on boats. This peculiar belief, like tales of mermaids and ghost ships, has been passed down through generations. But why do these…
Are charted depths based on the worst-case scenario? Traditional and electronic navigation charts (ENCs) provide us with an understanding of depth, particularly near the coastline. Generally, we ask ourselves: Can we float? After all, we don’t want to run aground! The numbers provided on charts give a likely worst-case scenario, known as chart datum. For…
Introduction Navigational aids have been crucial for maritime safety for centuries, but you may be surprised to learn that the standardisation of the buoyage system didn’t materialise until the 1980s. Among the various systems developed, the International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities (IALA) buoyage system stands out for its global adoption…
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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