Online Courses and Virtual Classroom
Through our partners, we can recommend several online (asynchronous) courses, where you can learn at your own pace and in your own time. These courses are not instructor-led, but are fully instructor supported.
For a more engaging experience, consider our Virtual Classroom CPD. These are run using "Zoom" virtual teaching software, and are entirely face-to-face (synchronous) and instructor-led. Book a private course, or join in with a group of people, from the comfort of your home or office. It won't all be powerpoint and talking, don't worry! We'll use a range of blended teaching techniques including videos, live demonstrations using additional cameras, models, RYA resources, interactive activities and quizzes, and much much more.
RYA Essential Navigation and Seamanship (Online)
Online Training - Web Based Course
DURATION: Suggested 6 hours, but no set time limit
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS: None, this course is suitable for beginners
ABILITY AT COURSE END: A basic awareness and understanding of navigation and safety
PLACES PER COURSE: Unlimited
COURSE DESCRIPTION: The first step in the cruising scheme theory pathway. This excellent course gives a basic introduction to essential navigation and safety for anyone new to boating; Sailors, power-boaters, sea anglers, divers, boat-masters, experienced dinghy and keelboat sailors, as well as inshore racers.
The course content includes charts and publications, safety, buoyage, tidal awareness, basic navigation and pilotage, rules of the road, electronic navigation, anchoring, weather forecasts, passage planning.
This is an online course; you will receive a course pack which includes a chart, plotter, dividers, course handbook, exercises and an electronic chart plotter CD which can either be collected or sent out by post.
All you need is a computer with an internet connection.
If you are booking online we will send you an email with your login details shortly. If you do not receive these within 48 hours then please contact with us.
RYA Day Skipper Shorebased (Online)
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS: None required, though background knowledge, Essential navigation and seamanship skills course would help
PLACES PER COURSE: Unlimited
COURSE DESCRIPTION: The RYA Day Skipper Shorebased course is a comprehensive introduction to cruising for inexperienced skippers.
This course equips you with enough knowledge to navigate around familiar waters by day. A basic knowledge of lights is also included to introduce you to night cruising.
Course topics include:
· The basics of seamanship
· The essentials of coastal navigation and pilotage
· Chartwork
· Electronic charts
· Position fixing
· Plotting a course to steer
· Weather forecasting and meteorology
· Tides
· Collision regulations
· Construction, parts and equipment of a cruising boat
· Emergency and safety procedures including distress call, use of flares, safety harnesses, lifejackets and life rafts.
RYA Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaster Shorebased (Online)
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS: Knowledge to the level of Day Skipper Shorebased. Some practical experience is useful.
PLACES PER COURSE: Unlimited
COURSE DESCRIPTION: The RYA Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaster Shorebased course is a comprehensive development of navigation theory and techniques for more experienced skippers.
This course is a vital pre-requisite for those progressing to the Yachtmaster Practical Exam, and Master of Yachts certification.
Course topics include:
· Seamanship
· Advanced coastal navigation and pilotage
· Chartwork
· Electronic charts
· Position fixing
· Plotting a course to steer
· Weather forecasting and meteorology
· Tides
· Collision regulations
RYA Yachtmaster Ocean Shorebased (Online)
Instructor-led Virtual Classroom (Webinar Style)
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS: Knowledge to the level of Yachtmaster Shorebased. Some Coastal/Offshore Voyage experience will help.
PLACES PER COURSE: Unlimited
COURSE DESCRIPTION: The RYA Yachtmaster Ocean Shorebased course is an advanced level course for those looking to go further afield, and cross oceans/go bluewater cruising.
Course topics include:
· Celestial Navigation
· Use of a Sextant
· Ocean Currents
· Ocean Weather Systems
· Planning and Conducting Ocean Voyages
RYA VHF Short Range Certificate (Online)
Online Training - Web Based Course
DURATION: 8 hours suggested, but no limit set
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS: None
ABILITY AT COURSE END: Certificate holder is authorised to use a marine VHF radio with digital selective
ABILITY AT COURSE END: VHF License issued following exam.
PLACES PER COURSE: Unlimited
MINIMUM AGE: 16
COURSE DESCRIPTION: The online version of the SRC classroom course covers all of the same content but allows you to take the course at your own time.
The final exam (required for licence) must be taken at the tastetheblue classrooms in Hamble which includes a short written test and a practical assessment and is run by a separate assessor.
There is a charge of £60 payable to the RYA for the Exam and licence.
Exams may be booked and taken on custom dates. Exams are taken in groups of no more than 4 students.
If you are booking online we will send you an email with your login details shortly after booking is complete. If you do not receive these within 48 hours then please contact us.
RYA Professional Practices and Responsibilites (Online)
Online Training - Web Based Course
DURATION: 6 to 8 hours approx plus exam time
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS: None
ABILITY AT COURSE END: Apply for Commercial Endorsement
PLACES PER COURSE: NA
COURSE DESCRIPTION: Each year approximately 4,500 people apply to the RYA for a commercial endorsement in order to use their RYA qualifications professionally as skipper or crew. You could be doing anything from delivering a new 35’ yacht or driving a workboat with lifting and towing gear, to running a superyacht in the Med. Whatever your job is on board, in the commercial world you are a professional seafarer. As such, you are no different from the captain of a cruise liner – you have a duty of care to crew, passengers, and other water users, and you will be held to account if things go wrong.
The course is broken down into four modules:
Commercial environment – how you fit into the professional maritime world.
People – the importance of correct manning, keeping your skills up to date and the safe management of commercial vessels.
Vessel – the compulsory carriage and maintenance of safety equipment and how to create and implement risk control and operating procedures. ·
Purpose – making sure your vessel is suitable and legal for the work you are carrying out, your obligations in protecting the environment, appropriate planning and situational awareness.
Following the modules there is a mock assessment so you can check you are ready before moving on to the final graded online assessment.
We estimate it will take around 6 to 8 hours to work through the four course modules. The graded end of course assessment is split into two sections, totalling 2 ½ hours.
All new applicants for a commercially endorsed RYA Certificate of Competence must first pass the PPR course. Anyone renewing a commercially endorsed RYA Certificate of Competence must pass the PPR course prior to their next renewal date, if they haven’t already done so.
If you are booking online we will send you an email with your login details shortly. Please contact us if you don’t receive your booking information within 48hrs.