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DAY SKIPPER AND WATCH LEADER PRACTICAL COURSE SYLLABUS - TIDAL

(reproduced from the RYA Cruising Scheme Syllabus and Logbook (G15/03) with the kind permission of the RYA)

The Course

The Day Skipper Course is conducted on board a cruising yacht (7 to 13m LOA), to teach pilotage, navigation, seamanship and boat handling up to the standard required to skipper a small cruising yacht safely by day in tidal waters with which the student is familiar.  The Watch Leader Course is conducted on board a large yacht or sail training vessel, to teach navigation, seamanship and boat handling up to the standard required to take charge of a watch on deck, at sea or in harbour.

The Watch Leader syllabus can be conducted in tidal or non-tidal waters.

Section A

All candidates

1.  Preparation for sea

• Is able to prepare a yacht for sea, including engine checks, selection of sails, securing and stowage of all gear on deck and below

2.  Deck work

• Can reef, shake out reefs and change sails to suit prevailing conditions

• Can prepare an anchor, mooring warps and take charge on deck when mooring alongside, coming to a buoy, anchoring, weighing anchor and slipping from a buoy or an alongside berth

3.  Navigation

      Is proficient in chartwork and routine navigational duties on passage including:

• Taking and plotting visual fixes

• Use of electronic navigation equipment for position fixing

• Use of waypoints

• Working up DR and EP

• Estimating tidal heights and tidal streams

• Working out course to steer to allow for tidal stream, leeway and drift

• Knowledge of IALA buoyage

• Maintenance of navigational records

• Use of echo sounder and lead line

4.  Pilotage

• Can prepare and execute a pilotage plan for entry into, or departure from, harbour

• Understands the use of leading and clearing lines

• Use of transits and soundings as aids to pilotage

5.  Meteorology

• Knows sources of forecast information

• Can interpret shipping forecasts and use a barometer as a forecasting aid

6.  Rule of the road

• Has a working knowledge of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea

7.  Maintenance and repair work

• Understands and is able to carry out maintenance tasks

• Knows the properties and uses of common synthetic fibre ropes

8.  Engines

• Knows how to change fuel and water filters, pump impeller and to bleed the fuel system

9.  Victualling

• Understands how to victual a yacht

10.  Emergency situations

• Is able to take correct action as skipper for recovery of man overboard

• Understands distress flares and how to use a liferaft

• Can operate a radio telephone in an emergency and send a distress message

• Understands how to secure a tow

• Understands rescue procedures including helicopter rescue

 

Section B

Sail Training Candidates only - Watch Leader

11.  General organisation

• Understands the organisation and is fully competent to take charge of a watch at sea and in harbour

 

Section C

Yachting Candidates only - Day Skipper

12.  Yacht handling under power

• Can bring a boat safely to and from and alongside berth, mooring buoy and anchor under various conditions of wind and tide

13.  Yacht handling under sail

• Can bring a yacht safely to and from a mooring buoy and anchor under various conditions of wind and tide

• Can steer and trim sails effectively on all points of sailing

14.  Passage making

• Can plan and make a coastal passage, taking account of relevant navigational hazards and limitations imposed by the type of boat and the strength of the crew