DAY SKIPPER SHOREBASED AND HOME STUDY SYLLABUS

1. Nautical terms

• Parts of a boat and hull

• General nautical terminology

2. Ropework

• Knowledge of the properties of synthetic ropes in common use

3. Anchor work

• Characteristics of different types of anchor

• Considerations to be taken into account when anchoring

4. Safety

• Knowledge of the safety equipment to be carried, its stowage and use

• Fire precautions and fire fighting

• Use of personal safety equipment, harnesses and lifejackets

• Ability to send a distress signal by VHF radio

• Basic knowledge of rescue procedures including helicopter rescue

5. International regulations for preventing collisions at sea

• Steering and sailing rules ( 5, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 12-19)

• General rules (all other rules)

6. Definitions of position, course and speed

• Latitude and longitude

• Knowledge of standard navigational terms

• True bearings and courses

• The knot

7. Navigational charts and publications

• Information shown on charts, and representation of direction and distance

• Navigational publications in common use

• Chart corrections

8. Navigational drawing instruments

• Use of parallel rulers, dividers and proprietary plotting instruments

9. Compass

• Application of variation

• Awareness of deviation and its causes

• Use of a hand bearing compass

10. Chartwork

• Dead reckoning and estimated position

• Techniques of visual fixing

• Satellite-derived positions

• Use of waypoints to fix position

• Course to steer

11. Tides and tidal streams

• Tidal definitions, levels and datum's

• Tide tables

• Use of a tidal curves

• Awareness of secondary port corrections

• Use of tidal diamonds and tidal stream atlases for chartwork

12. Visual aids to navigation

• Lighthouses and beacons, light characteristics

13. Meteorology

• Sources of broadcast meteorological information

• Knowledge of terms used in shipping forecasts

• Basic knowledge of highs, lows and fronts

14. Passage planning

• Preparation of navigational plan for short coastal passages

• Meteorological considerations in planning short coastal passages

• Use of waypoints on passage

• Importance of confirmation of position by an independent source

• Keeping a navigational record

15. Navigation in restricted visibility

• Precautions to be taken in, and limitations imposed by fog

16. Pilotage

• Use of transits, leading lines and clearing lines

• IALA system of buoyage for region A

• Use of sailing directions

• Pilotage plans and harbour entry

17. Marine environment

• Responsibility for avoiding pollution and protecting the marine environment