Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What Pre-Course Experience Is Required to Undertake the RYA Day Skipper Course?
Prospective participants in the RYA Day Skipper course (sail) should have at least five days, 100 miles and four-night hours on board a sailing yacht. For the motor version of the course, attendees need to have spent at least two days aboard a motor cruiser.
An RYA Dayskipper Certificate Can be Commercially Endorsed for Which Areas of Operation?
An RYA Dayskipper certificate may be commercially endorsed to allow the bearer to operate within category five and six waters. Both of these categories relate to sailing at sea, with category five being within 20 miles of a nominated departure point in daylight and favourable weather and category six being within three miles of a nominated departure point(s) and never more than three miles from land, also in daylight and favourable weather.
What Is the Minimum Duration of the Day Skipper Course?
The Day Skipper course lasts for a minimum of five days and three weekends or three days plus two days.
What Content Does the Day Skipper Shore-Based Course Cover?
The Day Skipper Shore-Based course’s syllabus covers 17 sections, with content relating to information (such as locating and using information like weather forecasts and tidal data), regulations and guidance, and techniques. The latter includes learning how to plan and use pilotage and navigation techniques, dealing with emergency situations and passage planning strategies.
What Does the Day Skipper Practical Course Cover?
The practical section of the Day Skipper course allows the theory learned to be put into practice. It aims to develop the participant’s ability as a crew manager, gradually taking over more and more of the skippering role during short passages. Time is also spent learning to enter and leave ports using a range of techniques and approaching various berthing and un-berthing situations.
Are RYA Certificates Acceptable on Non-British Flagged Vessels?
An RYA certificate is likely to be acceptable onboard a non-British boat; however, the bearer will need to comply with the rules of the relevant flag state.
What Is an RYA Yachtmaster Certificate of Competence?
The RYA Yachtmaster Certificate of Competence is widely viewed as the gold standard of skippering, and attaining this accreditation is often the ultimate aim of skippers. It is a highly respected and well-known qualification around the world, proving experience and competence. There is no formal training course that needs to be undertaken to achieve the certificate. Instead, a skipper must have sufficient experience, time spent at sea and certification. Where this is the case, a skipper can put themselves forward to take an exam designed to test their skills and knowledge.