Coastal Skipper

This is an advanced course in navigation and meteorology for candidates for the Coastal Skipper and Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate. The syllabus makes some provision for revision of subjects in the elementary course but those who have not acquired the knowledge set out in the elementary course are unlikely to be able to assimilate all the subjects covered in the advanced course in the time available.

Subject	Broad detail to be covered
1. Dead reckoning and estimated position	1. Definition of DR and EP 2. Working up DR and EP by plotting on a chart
2. The position line	1. Sources of position lines, transits, compass bearings, rising and dipping distances, radio, and depth contours
3. The magnetic compass	1. Allowance for variation. Change of variation with time and position 2. Siting compass and causes of deviation 3. Allowance for deviation 4. Steering and hand bearing compasses 5. Swing for deviation (but not correction)
4. Position fixing	1. Techniques of visual fixing 2. Running fixes 3. Radio fixes 4. Fixes containing a mixture of position lines 5. Ranges by dipping distances
5. Tides	1. Causes of tides - springs and neaps 2. Tide tables - Admiralty and Yachtsmen’s Almanacs 3. Tidal levels and datums 4. Times and heights at standard ports 5. The rule of twelfths 6. Corrections for secondary ports 7. Tidal anomalies (Solent, etc)
6. Tidal streams	1. Tidal stream atlas 2. Tidal diamonds 3. Tidal stream information in Sailing Directions and Yachtsmen’s Almanacs 4. Allowance for tidal streams in computing a course to steer 5. Tide rips, overfalls and races 6. Tidal stream observation buoys, beacons, etc
7. Buoyage	1. IALA system buoyage in Region A 2. Limitations of buoys as navigational aids
8. Lights	1. Characteristics 2. Ranges - visual, luminous and nominal ranges 3. Light lists - Admiralty and in Yachtsmen’s Almanacs
9. Pilotage	1. Harbour regulations and control signals 2. Method of pre-planning 3. Clearing lines
10. Echo sounders	1. Principle of operation and lead line 2. Types available - rotating neon, dial and pointer, recording 3. Reduction of soundings 4. Second trace echoes
11. Radio aids to navigation	1. Basic knowledge of hyperbolic systems, their capabilities and limitations 2. Basic knowledge of satellite navigation systems, their capabilities and limitations
12. Logs (speed and distance measuring)	1. Types and principles of operation, comparison of the following types: (a) Towed (b) Pressure (c) Impeller
13. Deck log	1. Importance of log as yacht’s official document 2. Layout of log, hourly and occasional entries
14. Meteorology	1. Basic terms, the Beaufort scale 2. Air masses 3. Cloud types 4. Weather patterns associated with pressure and frontal systems 5. Weather forecasts and simple instruments 6. Ability to sketch a weather map from a shipping forecast 7. Land and sea breezes 8. Sea fog - forecasting
15. Anchoring	1. Types of anchors and principles of operation 2. Selection of an anchor berth
16. Rule of the Road	1. A sound knowledge of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, except Annexes 1 and 3
17. Safety at Sea	1. Personal safety, use of lifejackets, safety harnesses and lifelines 2. Fire prevention and fire fighting 3. Distress signals 4. Coastguards 5. Preparation for heavy weather
18. Signals	1. Principles of signalling by flags and morse
19. Navigation in restricted visibility	1. Precautions to be taken in fog 2. Limitations to safe navigation imposed by fog
20. Passage planning and making	1. Preparation of charts and notebook for route planning and use at sea 2. Customs’ regulations as they apply to yachts 3. Routine for navigating a yacht in coastal waters 4. Strategy for course laying 5. Using weather forecast information for passage planning strategy

Coastal Skipper and Yachtmaster Syllabus

Subject

Broad detail to be covered