Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaster Offshore Shorebased Course

This course is ideal for candidates for the Coastal Skipper practical course and Yachtmaster Offshore® exam. Some revision of the Day Skipper shorebased course is included, plus more advanced skills in offshore and coastal navigation by day and night, pilotage and meteorology. Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaster Offshore Shorebased Course


Pre-course experience
Knowledge equivalent to the Day Skipper shorebased course

Assumed Knowledge
Navigation to Day Skipper standard and some practical experience is recommended

Course content
Navigation, meteorology, collision avoidance, safety and passage planning

Ability after course
Understands the principles of navigating for coastal and offshore passages

Minimum duration 40 hours plus 3 assessment papers

Cost: €535 includes Shorebased Pack, excludes Training Chart Plotter

 

Coastal Skipper / Yachtmaster Offshore Syllabus

 

  • Position

Dead Reckoning & Estimated Position

Satellite-derived position

Use of waypoints to fix position

Radar Fixes

Techniques of visual fix

Fixes using a mixture of position lines

Relative accuracy of different methods of position fixing

Areas of Uncertainty

 

 

  • The magnetic Compass

Allowance for variation

Change of variation with time and position

Causes of deviation

Swing for deviation

Allowance for deviation

Different types of compass

 

 

  • Tides

 

Causes of tides – springs & neaps

Tide Tables – sources

Tidal levels and datum

Standard & Secondary Ports

Tidal Anomalies

 

 

  • Tidal Streams

Sources of tidal information

Tidal Stream information in sailing directions and Yachtsman’s Almanacs

Allowance for tidal streams in computing a course to steer

Tide rips, overfalls and races

Tidal Observation buoys, beacons etc

 

 

  • Buoyage

IALA system buoyage in Region A

Limitations of buoys as navigational aids

 

 

  • Lights

Characteristics

Ranges – Visual, luminous & nominal

Rising & Dipping Distance

Light Lists

  • Pilotage

Harbour regulations and control signals

Methods of pre-planning

Clearing Lines

Use of Soundings

Transits & Leading Lines

 

 

 

  • GPS & Chart Plotters

Principles of operation and limitations of use

Raster & Vector Charts

Datum

Importance of Confirmation of position by an independent source & keeping a separate record of position

Importance of paper charts

 

 

 

  • Echo Sounders

Principles of operation and limitations of use

 

  • Logs (Speed & Distance Measuring)

Principles of operation and limitations of use

 

  • Deck Log

Importance of log as yacht’s official document

Layout of log, hourly and occasional entries


  • Meteorology

Basic Terms, the beaufort scale

Air Masses

Cloud types

Weather patterns associated with pressure and frontal systems

Sources of weather forecasts

Ability to interpret a shipping forecast, weatherfax and weather satellite information

Land & Sea Breezes

Sea Fog

Use of Barometer as a forecasting aid

 

 

  • Rule of the Road

A sound knowledge of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, except Annexes 1 and 3

 

 

  • Safety at Sea

Personal Safety, use of lifejackets, safety harnesses and lifelines

Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting

Distress Signals

Coastguard and Boat Safety Scheme

Preparation for heavy weather

Liferafts & Helicopter Rescue

Understanding of capabilities of vessel and basic knowledge of stability

 

 

  • Navigation in Restricted Visibility

Precautions to take in fog

Limitations to safe navigation imposed by fog

Navigation strategy in poor visibility

 

 

 

  • Passage Planning

Preparation of charts and notebook route planning and making, and use at sea

Customs regulations as they apply to yachts

Routine for navigating in coastal waters

Strategy for course laying

Use of waypoints and routes

Use of weather forecast information for passage planning strategy

Sources of local and national regulations

 

 

 

  • Marine Environment

Responsibility to minimise pollution and protect the marine environment

 
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