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The Royal Yachting Association (RYA) was set up in 1875, and has become world renowned for its training schemes. There are currently more than 2,400 RYA Training centres worldwide, in more than 58 countries.

The Youth and Adult schemes are all encompassing, for everyone from complete novices to the highest level of racing. It’s focus is to be accessible and more importantly safe, to raise the standards of boating by promoting safe practices.

As an RYA recognized training centre, we are held to the standards of the RYA and all our instructors must be qualified by the RYA. This ensures that training and equipment is kept to a very high standard.

Theory is essential for progressing in the sailing world, whether its towards the Yachtmaster qualification or for race training debriefs. To support this, we have three classrooms purpose built with audio/visual equipment, teaching aids, and naturally whiteboards; every instructors most used tool.

The most common course run is the RYA Day Skipper Theory, which is taken by students who gain their Day Skipper License and head to the Mediterranean for some summer cruising. We offer other RYA Navigation courses at lower and higher levels for those that wish to get a better understanding early on, or advance towards the Coastal, Offshore, and Ocean qualifications.

A variety of other short courses, such as First Aid, Short Range VHF Radio, and Diesel Engine, are also available to boost your seamanship, confidence, and give you the tools for any situation you may encounter. 

THEORY

RYA Navigation Courses

The Essential Navigation and Seamanship course provides an introduction to the basic skills required before taking a small boat to sea or taking an active part in running a boat.

By the end of the course, you will have foundation knowledge in chart work, safety, and the IRPCS.

Course Pre-requisites: None

Duration:
2 days

Minimum Age:
15

Ability after the course:
Greater understanding of navigation.

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A comprehensive, five-day classroom-based course covering the background knowledge required to become a skipper.

This course equips you with the theory knowledge to skipper a small yacht.

Holders of the Day Skipper Theory can go on to short courses, Day Skipper Practical, and Yachtmaster Theory.

Course Pre-requisites: RYA Competent Crew certificate or equivalent experience, which will need to be proven via logbook.

Duration: 5 days

Minimum Age: 16

Ability after the course: Be able to navigate a small yacht on day sail passages.

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Advanced training for more experienced skippers. This course equips you to navigate safely on coastal and offshore passages, concentrating on advanced navigation and meteorology skills.

This course will take your theory knowledge to the standard required for the Yachtmaster Coastal and Yachtmaster Offshore practical exams.

The course is taught over 40 hours with three exam papers.

Course Pre-requisites: None

Duration: 5 days

Minimum Age: 17

Ability after the course: Advanced navigation and meteorology skills.

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OTHER RYA Courses

In a medical emergency a little first aid knowledge and immediate action can save lives, especially in remote locations. This one-day course is designed to provide a working knowledge of first aid for people using small craft and to support skippers. It fulfills the requirements for: 

  • Professional skippers of small craft working within 60 miles of a safe haven, including Boatmasters. 
  • RYA instructors. 
  • First Aid certificate needed by offshore racers subject to ISAF’s regulations on first aid training 
  1. Course Prerequisites: None 

 
Duration: 1 day 
 
Ability after the course: Have the knowledge to be able to provide first aid and follow up actions to those who need it  

Please email us to register your interest. 

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A course to help you prevent and solve diesel engine failure. The course will give awareness of the main systems of a marine
diesel engine and the ability to prevent breakdown at sea & rectify defects not requiring workshop support. Mechanical failure is the main cause of lifeboat
callouts to yachts. This course includes basic maintenance and engine care which will prevent most cases of engine failure.
 
Course Pre-requisites: None
 
Duration: 1 day
 
Minimum Age:  16
 
Ability after course:  Good understanding of interior workings and maintenance of a diesel engine.
 
Please email us to register your interest.
 

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A course for anyone who owns a fixed or handheld marine VHF radio. A radio is an important piece of safety equipment on board and it is vital to understand the correct procedures. 

The Short Range Certificate is the minimum qualification required for the operation of VHF and VHF Digital Selective Calling (DSC) equipment on vessels voluntarily fitted with a radio. This includes both fixed and hand held equipment using International channels. 

A radio is an important piece of safety equipment on board and it is vital to understand the correct procedures. Unnecessary transmissions could block out a Mayday distress call. 

Course Pre-requisites: None 

Duration: 1 day 

Minimum Age: 16 

Ability after course: Can send and use a VHF radio to the required standard. 

Please email us to register your interest. 

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