Essential Navigation & Seamanship Online Theory Course
Course 333

The Essential Navigation and Seamanship course provides an introduction to the basic skills required before taking a small boat to sea or taking an active part in running a boat. This online course is designed to Introduce a candidate to Essential Navigation & Seamanship skills. This course is a great complement to any of the RYA Courses like PBL2 or Yachtmaster. 

The RYA Essential Navigation and Seamanship Course aims to introduce the basic concepts of inshore navigation and safety in an easy to understand and enjoyable format. During the course you will be introduced to the basics of navigation including tidal awareness, charts, almanacs and the use of electronic navigation aids such as GPS. You will be taught about harbour entry and departure pilotage including knowledge of buoyage and a basic understanding of the Collision Regulations so you know who has right of way! Time will also be spent looking at sources of weather information and what impact this could have on your passage. Towards the end of the course you will put all this information together to plan an actual passage. You will also learn more about what safety equipment you should carry and how it is used.

To register for this class contact MPT to set up your RYA interactive account and get your Log-in Code. You can start this online course at any time.

1. Charts, publications and terms 

• Basic terms 
• Chart overview 
• Introduction to chart datum and depths 

2. Buoyage 

• Lateral buoys 
• Cardinal buoys 
• Where to find information 

3. Navigation 

• Plotting a position 
• Measuring distance and bearing 
• Position fix 
• Heading 

4. Safety 

• Personal and boat safety equipment 
• Safety procedures and briefing 
• Communications 
• Engine checks 
• Rescue procedures 

5. Anchoring 

• Where to anchor 
• How to anchor 

6. Tides 

• Tidal streams 
• Tidal heights 

7. Electronic navigation 

• GPS terms 
• GPS use 
• Using waypoints 

8. Rules of the road 

• Risk of collision 
• Who gives way 

9. Weather forecasts 

• Sources of forecast 
• Terms used in forecasts 

10. Pilotage 

• Harbour information 
• Transits 
• Pilotage plan 

11. Passage planning 

• SOLAS V requirements 
• Pre planning 
• Chart choice