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DAY SKIPPER COURSE SYLLABUS

 

1. Nautical Terms

  • Parts of a boat and hull

  • General nautical terminology

 

2. Ropework

  • Knowledge of the properties of synthetic ropes in common use

 

3. Anchorwork

  • Characteristics of different types of anchor

  • Considerations to be taken into account when anchoring

 

4. Safety

  • Knowledge of the safety equipment to be carried, its stowage and use

  • 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

 

5. International Regulations for Preventing Collisions

    at Sea

  • Steering and sailing rules

  • General rules

 

6. Definition of position, course and speed

  • Latitude and longitude

  • Knowledge of standard navigational terms

  • True bearings and courses

  • The knot

 

7. Navigational charts and publications

  • Information shown on charts, chart symbols and representationof direction and distance

  • Navigational publications in common use

  • Chart correction

 

8. Navigational drawing instruments

  • Use of parallel rulers, dividers and proprietary plotting instruments

 

9. Compass

  • Application of variation

  • Awareness of deviation and its causes

  • Use of hand-bearing compass

 

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

 

11. Tides and Tidal Stream

  • Tidal definitions, levels and datum

  • Tide tables

  • Use of Admiralty method of determining tidal height at standard port and awarenessCorrections for secondary ports

  • Use of tidal diamonds and tidal stream atlases for chartwork

 

12. Visual Aids to Navigation

  • Lighthouses and beacons, light characteristics

 

13. Meteorology

  • Sources of broadcast meteorological information

  • Knowledge of terms used in shipping forecasts, including the Beaufort scale, andtheir significance to small craft

 

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

 

15. Navigation in Restricted Visibility

  • Keeping a navigational record

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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

 

17. Marine Environment

  • Responsibility for avoiding pollution and protecting the marine environment

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