RYA Day Skipper

1. Preparation for sea 

• Is able to prepare a yacht for sea, including engine checks, selection of sails, securing and stowage of all gear on deck and below 

2. Deck Work 

• Can reef, shake out reefs and change sails to suit prevailing conditions 
• Can prepare an anchor, mooring warps and take charge on deck when mooring alongside, coming to a buoy, anchoring, weighing anchor and slipping from a buoy or alongside berth 

3. Navigation 

• Is proficient in chartwork and routine navigational duties on passage including: Taking and plotting visual fixes Use of electronic navigation equipment for position fixing 
• Use of waypoints 
• Working up to DR and EP 
• Estimating tidal heights and tidal streams 
• Working out course to steer to allow for tidal stream, leeway and drift 
• Knowledge of IALA buoyage 
• Maintenance of navigational records 
• Use of echo sounder and lead line 

4. Pilotage 

• Can prepare and execute a pilotage plan for entry into, or departure from, harbour 
• Understands the use of leading and clearing lines 
• Use of transits and surroundings as aids to pilotage 

5. Meteorology 

• Knows sources of forecast information 
• Can interpret shipping forecasts and use a barometer as a forecasting aid 

6. Rule of the road 

• Has a working knowledge of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea 

7. Maintenance and repair work 

• Understands and is able to carry out maintenance tasks 
• Knows the properties and uses of common synthetic fibre ropes 

8. Engines 

• Knows how to change fuel and water filters, pump impeller and to bleed the fuel system 

9. Victualling 

• Understands how to victual a yacht 

10. Emergency situations 

• Is able to take correct action as skipper for recovery of man overboard 
• Understands distress flares and how to use a liferaft 
• Can operate a radiotelephone in an emergency and send a distress message 
• Understands how to secure a tow 
• Understands rescue procedures including helicopter rescue 

11. Yacht handling under power 

• Can bring a boat safely to and from an alongside berth, mooring buoy and anchor under various conditions of wind and tide 
• Can steer and trim sails effectively on all points of sailing 

12. Passage making 

• Can plan and make a coastal passage, taking account of relevant navigational hazards and limitations imposed by the type of boat and the strength of the crew 

13. Night cruising 

• Has experienced sail cruising at night, including leaving and entering harbour. 
• Understands the special consideration for pilotage plans, keeping a lookout and identifying marks by night. 

14. Seasickness 

• Working efficiency is unaffected/partially affected/severely affected by seasickness 

15. Helmsmanship and sailing 

• Understands the basic principles of sailing and can steer and trim sails on all points of sailing 
• Can steer a compass course, under sail and power 

16. General duties 

• Has carried out general duties satisfactorily on deck and below decks in connection with the daily routine of the vessel