| Syllabus
|
Minimum hours |
1. Nautical terms
- Parts of a boat and hull
- General nautical terminology
|
2 |
2. Ropework
- Knowledge of the properties of synthetic ropes in common use
|
1 |
3. Anchorwork
- Characteristics of different types of anchor
- Considerations to be taken into account when anchoring
|
1 |
4. Safety
- Knowledge of the safety equipment to be carried, its stowage and use (see RYA Boat Safety Handbook C8)
- Fire precautions and fire fighting
- Use of personal safety equipment, harnesses and lifejackets
- Ability to send a distress signal by VHF radiotelephone
- Basic knowledge of rescue procedures including helicopter rescue
|
3 |
5. International regulations for preventing collisions at sea
- Steering and sailing rules (5, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 12-19)
- General rules (all other rules)
|
3 |
6. Definition of position, course and speed
- Latitude and longitude
- Knowledge of standard navigational terms
- True bearings and courses
- The knot
|
1 |
7. Navigational charts and publications
- Information shown on charts, chart symbols and representation of direction and distance
- Navigational publications in common use
- Chart correction
|
2 |
8. Navigational drawing instruments
- Use of parallel rulers, dividers and proprietary plotting instruments
|
1 |
9. Compass
- Application of variation
- Awareness of deviation and its causes
- Use of hand-bearing compass
|
2 |
10. Chartwork
- Dead reckoning and estimated position including an awareness of leeway
- Techniques of visual fixing
- Satellite-derived positions
- Use of waypoints to fix position
- Course to steer
|
6 |
11. Tides and tidal streams
- Tidal definitions, levels and datum
- Tide tables
- Use of admiralty method of determining tidal height at standard port and awareness of corrections for secondary ports
- Use of tidal diamonds and tidal stream atlases for chartwork
|
4 |
12. Visual aids to navigation
- Lighthouses and beacons, light characteristics
|
1 |
13. Meteorology
- Sources of broadcast meteorological information
- Knowledge of terms used in shipping forecasts, including the Beaufort scale, and their significance to small craft
- Basic knowledge of highs, lows and fronts
|
3 |
14. Passage planning
- Preparation of navigational plan for short coastal passages
- Meteorological considerations in planning short coastal passages
- Use of waypoints on passage
- Importance of confirmation of position by an independent source
- Keeping a navigational record
|
4 |
15. Navigation in restricted visibility
- Precautions to be taken in, and limitations imposed by, fog
|
1 |
16. Pilotage
- Use of transits, leading lines and clearing lines
- IALA system of buoyage for Region A
- Use of sailing directions
- Pilotage plans and harbour entry
|
4 |
17. Marine Environment
- Responsibility for avoiding pollution and protecting the marine environment
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