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Beginner · Navigation
RYA Essential Navigation and Seamanship (awarded by the RYA)
An introductory shore-based navigation and safety-awareness course from the Royal Yachting Association (RYA). Teaches chartwork, tidal awareness, buoyage, rules of the road, basic passage planning and other foundational navigation and seamanship topics. Available as a classroom (about 16 hours) or online course (approx. 8–10 hours).
Offered by Flying Fish Sailing
About this course
The RYA Essential Navigation and Seamanship course provides a beginner-level introduction to navigation, tides, charts and safety awareness for recreational sailors and motorboaters. The course may be taken in a classroom (typically delivered over two days totalling about 16 hours) or through RYA e‑learning (approximately 8–10 hours). Course materials and a student pack are provided for classroom delivery; online learners use the RYA online learning portal and interactive exercises.
Topics include charts and publications, buoyage, tidal awareness, visual and electronic navigation, pilotage, collision regulations, anchoring, basic engine checks, weather forecasts and passage planning. Successful participants receive an RYA certificate of completion.
What you will learn
- Understand charts and publications and basic chartwork.
- Recognise buoyage and Aids to Navigation.
- Develop tidal awareness and apply tidal prediction to passage planning.
- Use visual and electronic navigation aids and practise pilotage.
- Understand the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (rules of the road) relevant to small craft.
- Carry out basic passage planning, anchoring and engine checks.
- Interpret weather forecasts and apply basic safety awareness afloat.
Before you book
Prerequisites
- None (no prior experience required).
Provided
- Course pack / student pack (includes course handbook/notes, practice charts, RYA handy plotter and dividers and exercises).
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