RYA Day Skipper Theory

Theory Test

Regulations
• Able to recognise a potential collision situation
• Able to recognise action to take as “stand on” and “give way” vessel
• Able to determine a safe speed
• Able to recognise manoeuvring signals
• Able to recognise and make visual distress signals
• Able to keep a proper lookout

Regulations and Pilotage
• Able to understand requirements for navigation lights and ships
• Able to recognise sound signals
• Able to recognise the following from the lights – vessel at anchor, power driven vessel and sailing vessel
• Able to recognise, by day and night, and understand the significance of buoys of the IALA system
• Able to plan a harbour entry/departure, taking in to account possible hazards
• Aware of the sources of information regarding local regulations, port entry and departure signals and Port Operations radio

Navigation
• Able to plot a position by cross bearings and by Latitude and Longitude
• Able to interpret a navigational chart and understand charted depths, drying heights and charted hazards
• Able to use a tide table to find times and heights of high and low water
• Able to determine direction and rate of tidal stream from a tidal atlas or from tidal diamonds
• Able to determine magnetic course to steer, making allowances for leeway and tidal stream

Short Passage Focus

• Departing a pontoon
  • Communication with crew
  • Use of springs
  • Fender positioning
  • Man over board (MOB) procedures
  • Correct direction and speed of approach
  • Contact with MOB

  Alongside skills
  • Communication with crew
  • Awareness of other water users
  • Use of warps/fenders
  • Correct angle and speed of approach
  • Securing boat to pontoon

  360-degree turn
  • How to do a 360-degree turn

  Securing to a buoy
  • Communication with crew
  • Preparing warp
  • Correct angle and speed of approach
  • Securing the boat effectively
  • Departing from the buoy safely

  Handling under sail
  • Choosing suitable sails for prevailing conditions
  • Choosing a suitable area for hoisting/lowering sails
  • Trimming sails correctly
  • Communicating with crew before undertaking any manoeuvres
  • Undertaking a check of the area before tacking and gibing

  Power manoeuvres
  • Awareness for other water users
  • Use of a kill-cord
  • Choosing a suitable area to carry out manoeuvres
  • Carrying out an emergency stop
  • Able to control speed on turns and warning crew before starting and
  executing emergency turns

Focus of Exam Preparation

• Navigation so that the candidate is always aware of his/her and the vessels position. This includes charts and publication, chartwork and GNSS, pilotage and passage planning, buoyage and visual aids to navigation, tidal streams and heights calculations, the limits of navigational accuracy and margins of safety, instruments, AIS, navigational techniques for reduced visibility
• International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea
• Boat handling close quarters manoeuvring both under power and sail including anchoring, in all berthing and unberthing situations, MOB, towing, helmsmanship and trim;
• Man overboard including recovery methods
• Safety including safety brief, safety equipment and the safety of the crew and vessel
• Meteorology including sources of weather forecasts, understanding weather systems and local effects; interpretation of forecasts, barometric trends and how to plan a passage based on forecast information;
• Adverse weather conditions strategies for sailing vessel handling
• Skippering ability including good communication and leadership qualities, preparing the yacht for sea, heavy weather tactics, emergency and distress situation, victualling and delegating of responsibility and wathkeeping
• General Seamanship including maintenance, knots, engine operations, jury rigs following gear failure