Shorebased Day Skipper

Foundations for new skippers
The RYA Shorebased Day Skipper course delivers a complete introduction to coastal navigation, chartwork, meteorology, and the fundamentals of running a boat. It’s designed for competent crew who want to start making decisions onboard with more confidence. The skills you gain are essential for planning coastal cruises, understanding conditions, and navigating with traditional and electronic tools.
At a glance
  • Experience: None required
  • Duration: 5 days • Ratio: 5:1 • Age: 18+
  • Format: Classroom-based
  • Location: Rome
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Course syllabus

What you’ll cover
  • Nautical terminology
  • Ropework and knots
  • Anchoring techniques
  • Onboard safety
  • COLREGs (International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea)
  • Position, course, and speed
  • Nautical charts and official publications
  • Chartwork instruments
  • Compass
  • Traditional and electronic navigation
  • Tides and tidal streams
  • Navigation marks and visual references
  • Meteorology
  • Passage planning
  • Navigation in reduced visibility
  • Pilotage
  • Marine environment

What to bring

Pack light and practical
  • Passport or ID
  • Reference books for the class