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RYA Sailing Courses / Yachting Experiences Information 2010 / '11 |
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Start Yachting -- Competent Crew -- Day Skipper -- Coastal Skipper -- Yachtmaster -- RYA PowerBoat |
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Launch 2010 Dates Calendar (Sail) - Click!

ScotSail is one of the largest RYA Sail Cruising centres in Scotland and the UK, offering high quality tuition, with Professional Instructors and training yachts and powerboats with a Minimum Standard for Quality Whichever practical course or experience you decide is right for you and your family or friends, you will enjoy a fantastic experience around the lochs, mountains and islands of Scotlands west coast and National Parks. Although RYA training and personal improvement are the primary goals of most, the sailing and powerboat courses / experiences are designed also as an enjoyable experience which afford you the opportunity to stay at different locations, each day or evening and discover island villages, anchorages and stunning scenery you never knew existed. Learn to sail in Scotland, with Scotlands Sailing Company - ScotSail.
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ScotSail is trusted by thousands of individuals & families, as well as local authorities, UK scouting and youth groups, yacht clubs, UK Police Forces and even the Ministry of Defence to provide excellent maritime training services.
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Click Here for Practical Sailing Course Dates!
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startyachtingexperience
and competentcrew course. |
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Centres: LargsCentre
Age:
No minimum.
Experience Required:
None.
Duration:
Fri-Sun
Board:
Two Nights / Full Board
When:
Any weekend Mar-Oct inclusive
(subject to availability)
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This course / experience provides a short introduction to sail cruising for first-timers or those coming back to sailing. Travelling in a luxury full-board cruising yacht whilst learning to sail amongst stunning islands and ports, is a fantastic way to learn steering a yacht, sail handling, ropework and safety-awareness on-board.
Please read the FAQs Section for all the details about this experience!
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This is one of ScotSails most popular experiences as it is a great way to get out on the water for a whole weekend for just £165! |
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A real RYA Certificate is included with this experience on completion and, the RYA Competent Crew Course can be complete in just 2 more weekends, instead of the usual 3 weekends or 5 days!
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Why choose ScotSail? |
OR get the 3-Weekend or 5-Day Course for just £450/£395 5-Nights / Full Board! |
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Introductory courses for beginners and those who have some experience of either cruising or dinghy sailing. A shortened version called RYA Start Yachting can be taken over just 2 days which covers the very basics to sailing aimed at total beginners. The completion of the RYA Competent Crew Practical course will be another 3 days.
The 5 day Competent crew course aims to give you as much enjoyment as possible. While you sail you will learn about safety at sea and will be given opportunities to practise the seamanship skills of changing sails, steering, reefing and tying knots. In essence, your Instructor will try to teach you to enjoy sailing living onboard throughout the course.
Each night is spent in a new place, allowing you to experience the delights of a real cruise. You will visit many kinds of anchorages and yacht harbours.
By the end of this course, the successful Competent Crew will have sufficient knowledge and skill to be a usefuland able crew member and want to sail regularly.
| Suggested minimum pre-course experience. |
None. |
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| Assumed Knowledge |
None. |
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| Course Content |
Introduces navigation & safety, basic seamanship, helmsmanship, navigation & meteorology. |
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| Ability After Course |
Basic knowledge of navigation & safety / Useful Crew Member. |
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Weekend Experience Overview:
- Arrive Friday evening (1800hrs)
- Meet instructor and crew
- Get settled into cabin and unpack
- Meal around 1930 hrs and chat with Instructor
- Saturday Morning: Get up for breakfast and safety briefing and decide destination
- Collect food and drinks according to everyones tastes and desires
- Depart Yacht Haven using teamwork exercise
- Sailing exercises and practice steering the yacht as 'Skipper' - catching some waves!
- Put into island or marina destination that evening (perhaps go ashore sightseeing or for a meal & drinks).
- Saturday Evening: (Evening ashore or perhaps watch a DVD or discuss sailing techniques with Instructor.
- Sunday Morning: Rise early and prepare to get more sailing in! (Plenty of exercises and fun sailing during the day!
- Perhaps stop at a marina or weigh anchor for a good lunch on-board
- Return Sunday Afternoon and dock the yacht using new-found skills
- De-briefing session at ScotSails Centre and awarding of RYA Start Yachting Course Certificates.
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What do you get?:
- Buy 5 Nights / Full Board Competent Crew Course for just £395
OR
- Recipient can upgrade to 3-Weekend / 5 Day Course for just £290/£265 using their voucher.
Excellent value - why not
bookonline!
*Purchases must be made by 1500 hours to be
eligible for same-day dispatch. Vouchers are valid for 18 months from date of issue. |
bookonline! or call us on 0800 756 5506
Booking online is easy!
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Pick your voucher type & quantity above;
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Click 'Add to basket';
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Enter your address and delivery details;
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Enter your payment card details or choose to pay by cheque;
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ScotSail staff will contact you to confirm your purchase and despatch your order!
Price: |
£395.00
Per Person.
or just £375 Per Person
for 2 or more persons.
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5 Nights / Full Board (Mon-Fri)
Learn-to-Sail Holiday
including RYA Tuition and Certification. |
Price: |
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3 Weekends / 6 Nights / Full Board (Sat/Sun)
Learn-to-Sail Holiday
including RYA Tuition and Certification. |
*always check homepage for special offers, discounts, web-deals or cancellation offers, or ask your operator when you call. Please mention discount / offers prior to booking.

All ScotSail Sailing Practical Courses / Experience Prices are inclusive of:
Full Board Days (All Breakfasts, All Lunches, All Evening Meals, Snacks, Drinks, Teas/Coffees/Refreshments etc).
Gas / Fuel (ScotSail does not charge for boat fuel, domestic gas or engine hours usage).
Tuition/Certification (In response to customer feedback: There are no charges for your Pass Certificate).
All Safety Equipment (Everything you require is provided i.e. Lifejackets, Safety Harnesses etc).
Official Course Days Courses are officially Mon-Fri and Sat-Sun for Full Board. Check-In/Arrival is the evening prior. There are no 'hidden extras'. |
All dietary requirements catered for. Please advise of any known allergys at time of booking. |
< Back to Courses Selection Menu
2010 Practical Sailing Courses Dates Calendar
Plan your course / experience dates...
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Yellow box dates = 5 Day Courses / Experiences (Mon-Fri, Check-in Sunday @1800hrs)
Blue box dates = Weekend Courses / Experiences (Sat/Sun, Check-in Friday @ 1800 hrs) |
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Enquire or...

quickfacts...
ScotSail 5-Day RYA Sailing Courses / Experiences
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Run every week, from March to October, each year. |
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Arrival & Check-in is at 1800 hours, on the Sunday evening prior. |
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Each of our Training Yachts operates at a Student : Instructor ratio of 5:1. |
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All 5-Day courses / experiences are full board (Mon-Fri). |
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Are available as a Gift Voucher, at no extra cost. |
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ScotSail Weekend RYA Sailing Courses / Experiences:
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Run every weekend, from March to October, each year. |
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Arrival & Check-in is at 1800 hours, on the Friday evening prior. |
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Each of our Training Yachts operates at a Student : Instructor ratio of 5:1. |
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All weekend courses / experiences are full board (Sat/Sun). |
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Are available as a Gift Voucher, at no extra cost. |
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RYA
Day Skipper Practical
(Sail Tidal) at LargsCentre
Learn-to-Sail Holiday with RYA Tuition and Certification.
Suggested minimum pre-course experience: - 5 Days sailing,
100 miles, 4 night hours plus
knowledge up to Day Skipper
shorebased theory.
On this RYA Day
Skipper Practical course you will learn
basic practical skippering techniques.
Completion of the Day Skipper
Shorebased Course beforehand
will add enormous value to this
practical course, although it
is possible to read up on the
syllabus at home.
Each student
is given the opportunity to
take control and navigate the
yacht on short coastal passages, with an Instructor on hand to give advice and encouragement and ensure your safety. |
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A course for aspiring skippers with some yachting experience and basic navigation and sailing skills... |
During the course,
you will be given the opportunity
to practice your boat handling
in a variety of marina and mooring
situations, and whilst at sea
will cover subjects such as
watch keeping, deck work, sail
trim and how to cope in emergency
situations such as MOB (Man Over-board)
A skipper
is responsible for the management
of a yacht, so the course also
includes basic engine checks,
passage planning, preparing
the yacht for sea, rules of
the road and meteorology.
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The pass rate for ScotSail RYA Day Skipper (Tidal) Practical courses is very high - around 95%! Holders of the Day Skipper certificate are eligible to apply for the International Certificate of Competence (I.C.C.). The I.C.C. is accepted by most international charter companies as your 'charter license' and is an extremely valuable and respected qualification. You can download the application form using the link below. |
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RYA I.C.C. International Certificate of Competence Application Form
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Content: |
Preparation
for sea, Deck work, Navigation,
Pilotage, Meteorology,
Rule of the road, Maintenance
and repair work, Engines,
victualling, Emergency
situations, Yacht handling
under power, Yacht handling
under sail, passage making, night cruising.
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Aims: |
By
the end of this course
the successful Day Skipper
will be able to skipper
a cruising yacht in familiar
waters and short coastal
passages by day, in both
tidal and non-tidal waters.
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| Pre-Course
Requirements: |
To
gain RYA certificate in
5 days, it is recommended that participants have undertaken a minimum of 100 miles, 5 day sea-time, 4
night hours and have basic navigation ability. |
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Price: |
£395.00
Per Person.
or just £375 Per Person
for 2 or more persons.
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5 Nights / Full Board (Mon-Fri)
Learn-to-Sail Holiday
including RYA Tuition and Certification. |
Price: |
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3 Weekends / 6 Nights / Full Board (Sat/Sun)
Learn-to-Sail Holiday
including RYA Tuition and Certification. |
*always check homepage for special offers, discounts, web-deals or cancellation offers, or ask your operator when you call. Please mention discount / offers prior to booking.

All ScotSail Sailing Practical Courses / Experience Prices are inclusive of:
Full Board Days (All Breakfasts, All Lunches, All Evening Meals, Snacks, Drinks, Teas/Coffees/Refreshments etc).
Gas / Fuel (ScotSail does not charge for boat fuel, domestic gas or engine hours usage).
Tuition/Certification (In response to customer feedback: There are no charges for your Pass Certificate).
All Safety Equipment (Everything you require is provided i.e. Lifejackets, Safety Harnesses etc).
Official Course Days Courses are officially Mon-Fri and Sat-Sun for Full Board. Check-In/Arrival is the evening prior. There are no 'hidden extras'. |
All dietary requirements catered for. Please advise of any known allergys at time of booking.
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Back
to Courses
RYA / MCA Yachtmaster Coastal Skipper (Sail Tidal) at ScotSail LargsCentre
Learn-to-Sail Holiday with RYA Tuition and Certification.
Previous experience recommended:
Participants should have knowledge
up to RYA Coastal Skipper / Yachtmaster
theory standard. Practical ability
to RYA Day Skipper level, 15 days
onboard (2 days as skipper), 300
miles, 8 night hours.
MCA
Examination Candidates: must hold
a VHF Radio or Short Range Certificate.
First aid certificate, and logged
sea time of 800 miles within 10
years. 30 days living on-board,
2 days as skipper and 12 night
hrs.
The course concentrates on
the techniques and skills required
to skipper a yacht on passages
involving complex decision making,
navigation, cruise planning,
and pilotage. A passage of longer
duration, with particular emphasis
placed on watch keeping techniques
will usually be undertaken to
demonstrate how to manage the
yacht on such a passage.
Also you will be given the opportunity
to improve your close quarter’s
boat handling skills under power
and sail. Preparation of the
yacht for heavy weather cruising
and navigation in restricted
visibility is also practised.
By the end of this course the
successful Yachtmaster Coastal Skipper will be awarded
a course completion certificate and
will have sufficient knowledge
to skipper a yacht safely on
long coastal and offshore passages
by day and night, in both tidal
and non-tidal waters.
This course is also suitable
if taking the RYA / MCA Yachtmaster Coastal
Skipper examination Candidates
will need to arrange with Scotsail
to charter the yacht for the
exam period and also arrange
directly with the RYA for the
examiner to come on board. These
are costs in addition to the
5 day preparation course.
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| Course
Content: |
Passage
planning, Preparation
for sea, Pilotage, passage
making and ability as
skipper, Yacht handling
under power, yacht handling
under sail, Adverse weather
conditions, emergency
situations.
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| Course
Aims: |
To
be able to skipper a yacht
on coastal passages by
day & night. |
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| Course
Requirements: |
To
gain RYA course completion
certificate in 5 days
you need to undertake
100 miles, 4 night hours
taking command of the
yacht demonstrating skippering
techniques for coastal
and offshore passages.
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| MCA Exam
Requirement: |
RYA
Yachtmaster Coastal course completion
certificate advisable,
plus 10 hr examination
by an examiner if the
full RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Coastal Skipper
certificate of competency
is required. |
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Price: |
£395.00
Per Person.
or just £375 Per Person
for 2 or more persons.
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5 Nights / Full Board (Mon-Fri)
Learn-to-Sail Holiday
including RYA Tuition and Certification. |
*always check homepage for special offers, discounts, web-deals or cancellation offers, or ask your operator when you call. Please mention discount / offers prior to booking.

All ScotSail Sailing Practical Courses / Experience Prices are inclusive of:
Full Board Days (All Breakfasts, All Lunches, All Evening Meals, Snacks, Drinks, Teas/Coffees/Refreshments etc).
Gas / Fuel (ScotSail does not charge for boat fuel, domestic gas or engine hours usage).
Tuition/Certification (In response to customer feedback: There are no charges for your Pass Certificate).
All Safety Equipment (Everything you require is provided i.e. Lifejackets, Safety Harnesses etc).
Official Course Days Courses are officially Mon-Fri and Sat-Sun for Full Board. Check-In/Arrival is the evening prior. There are no 'hidden extras'. |
All dietary requirements catered for. Please advise of any known allergys at time of booking. |
|
Back
to Courses
RYA
/ MCA Yachtmaster Offshore Preparation for Examination at ScotSail LargsCentre
Qualifying experience
necessary - 50 Days onboard,
2,500 miles, 5 days as skipper,
5 passages over 60 miles, including
2 overnight and 2 as skipper.
Examination candidates must
hold either a VHF Radio Operator's
Certificate or a Short range
certificate and a First Aid
certificate.
You will spend five days onboard
the yacht with our fully qualified
professional RYA/MCA Yachtmaster
instructor. The instructor will
ensure that what is likely to
be asked in the exam is put
into practice.
Gives potential Yachtmasters
the opportunity to revise thoroughly
both practical and theoretical
subjects prior to undertaking
the RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Offshore
examination.
Candidates will need to arrange
with ScotSail for the examiner to come
on board. These are costs in
addition to the 5 day preparation
course and payable directly to the RYA. ScotSail can assist
with making theses arrangements.
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| Course
Content: |
Passage
Planning, Passage making.
Skippering Techniques,
Man Overboard Recovery,
Meteorology, Close Quarters
Handling, Pilotage in
restricted visibility.
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| Course
Aims: |
The
successful Yachtmaster
Offshore is going to be
an experienced yachtsman,
competent to skipper a
cruising yacht on any
passage up to 150 miles
from port. The RYA/MCA
Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate
of Competency is acclaimed
throughout the sailing
community as the best
sailing qualification
to obtain.
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| Course
Requirements: |
You
should already have covered
all aspects of the RYA
sail cruising scheme except
Ocean and be at the standard
of Coastal skipper or Yachtmaster. The
successful Yachtmaster
Offshore is an experienced
yachts-person, able to
skipper a cruising yacht
on any passage up to 150
miles from port. You must be at the required standard already - this is not a training course to teach Yachtmasters, rather a 'brush-up' session. If you want Yachtmaster Training this will be administered as a separate course / experience. Please be specific when making any booking.
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MCA
Exam
Requirement: |
RYA
Coastal course completion
certificate advisable,
plus 12 hr examination
by an examiner to gain
the full RYA/MCA Yachtmaster
Offshore certificate of
competency. |
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Price: |
£395.00
Per Person.
or just £375 Per Person
for 2 or more persons.
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5 Nights / Full Board (Mon-Fri)
Learn-to-Sail Holiday
including RYA Tuition and Certification. |
*always check homepage for special offers, discounts, web-deals or cancellation offers, or ask your operator when you call. Please mention discount / offers prior to booking.

All ScotSail Sailing Practical Courses / Experience Prices are inclusive of:
Full Board Days (All Breakfasts, All Lunches, All Evening Meals, Snacks, Drinks, Teas/Coffees/Refreshments etc).
Gas / Fuel (ScotSail does not charge for boat fuel, domestic gas or engine hours usage).
Tuition/Certification (In response to customer feedback: There are no charges for your Pass Certificate).
All Safety Equipment (Everything you require is provided i.e. Lifejackets, Safety Harnesses etc).
Official Course Days Courses are officially Mon-Fri and Sat-Sun for Full Board. Check-In/Arrival is the evening prior. There are no 'hidden extras'. |
All dietary requirements catered for. Please advise of any known allergys at time of booking.
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Back
to Courses
RYA
Day Skipper Shorebased Course at ScotSail LargsCentre & PrestonCentre
Gives essential
knowledge to navigate around
familiar waters
This basic shorebased theory
course is intended to equip
the sailor with enough knowledge
to navigate around familiar
waters by day, and a basic knowledge
of lights is also included if
you arrive back in darkness.
The course is invaluable for
those who want to learn how
to start making decisions on
board especially those beginners
and crew who would like to become
more actively involved in navigation.
It is a comprehensive introduction
to sailing for would-be skippers.
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| Course
Content: |
Chart-work,
position fixing, plotting
a course to steer, weather
forecasting and meteorology,
a knowledge of tides and
international Regulations
for Prevention of Collision
at sea and electronic
charts. Construction,
parts and equipment of
a yacht, safety procedures,
emergency and safety equipment
and procedures such as
distress call, use of
flares, safety harnesses,
lifejackets and lifeafts
and the basics of seamanship.
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| Course
Aims: |
This
shorebased course is intended
to equip the sailor with
enough knowledge to navigate
around familiar waters
by day.
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| Course
Requirements: |
Scotsail Training run 3 weekend, Evenings and 5 day intensive courses throghout the year at thier training centre in Largs and Preston Marina. Clients are provided with a copy of all the lecture notes and all examples are worked out. This is available prior to the course starting. |
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to Courses
RYA
Coastal/Yachtmastet Shorebased Course at ScotSail LargsCentre & PrestonCentre
Equips the skippers
to be able to navigate safely
in coastal and offshore passages.
An advanced shorebased course
building on the Day skipper
syllabus for more experienced
skippers, which takes them up
to the theory knowledge required
for Coastal Skipper and Yachtmaster
Practical examinations specifically
concentrating on advanced navigation
and meteorology skills
The aim of the course is to
equip the skipper to be able
to navigate safely in coastal
and offshore passages. The course
devotes some revision time to
the basics but covers advanced
navigation techniques including:
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| Course
Content: |
Position
fixing, course shaping
and plotting, tidal knowledge
and use of almanacs, admiralty
publications and electronic
position finding equipment.
Plotting of weather systems
and weather predictions
using barometer and by
observation, Planning
and executing passage
plans. Customs and excise
regulations for going
to and returning from
abroad. The international
Regulations for the Prevention
of Collision at sea.
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| Course
Aims: |
This
shorebased course is intended
to cover the knowledge
required for the Coastal
Skipper and Yachtmaster
to navigate safely in
coastal and offshore passages
specifically concentrating
on advanced navigation
and meteorology skills..
It also serves to allow
students pass the MCA
Practical examinations.
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| Course
Requirements: |
1st ScotSail Training run 3 weekend. Evenings and 5 day intensive courses throghout the year at therr training centres in Largs and Preston. Clients are provided with a copy of all the lecture notes and all examples are worked out. This is available prior to the course starting. |
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Diesel Engine Course at Largs Marina at ScotSail LargsCentre
Mechanical failure
is the main cause of lifeboat
callouts to yachts. This course
includes basic maintenance and
engine care which will prevent
most cases of engine failure.
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| Course
Type: |
THEORY
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| Suggested
minimum pre-course experience: |
None |
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| Assumed
knowledge: |
None |
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| Course
content: |
Basic
maintenance and engine
care |
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| Ability
after course: |
Awareness
of the main systems of
a marine diesel engine.
Able to take simple measures
to prevent mechanical
breakdown at sea and rectify
defects which do not require
workshop support
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| Minimum
duration: |
1
day at our Training centre. The instructor will demonstrate a running engine and ensure each student takes a hands on approach to fault finding and remedy. A certificate will be awarded at the end of the course. See Published dates. |
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VHF Marine
Radio License Course at ScotSail LargsCentre
This radio operator
qualification authorises the
holder to operate a VHF radio
fitted with Digital Selective
Calling on board any British
vessel which is voluntarily
fitted with radio equipment.
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| Course
Type: |
THEORY
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| Suggested
minimum pre-course experience: |
None |
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| Assumed
knowledge: |
None |
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| Course
content: |
Use
of marine radio including
GMDSS. Routine, distress,
urgency and safety procedures. |
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| Ability
after course: |
Can
use a Marine VHF radio. |
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| Minimum
duration: |
1
day courses at ScotSail including an exam. See Published dates. |
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RYA
One Day First Aid Course at ScotSail LargsCentre
A one day course
designed for small boat users.
This course is MCA and HSE approved
and satisfies the requirements
for Coastal Skipper Yachtmaster
and Advanced Powerboat certificates
of competence and some commercial
work afloat.
Next Date
Sunday 11th April 2010
Sunday 19th Sept 2010
1 Day RYA Recognised First Aid Course with Cat. C Drugs Administration Endorsement. £85.00 Per Person. Price includes First aid Handbook and Certification.
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| Course
Type: |
THEORY
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| Suggested
minimum pre-course experience: |
None |
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| Assumed
knowledge: |
None |
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| Course
content: |
First
aid and resuscitation
techniques for yachtsmen,
including a knowledge
of the treatment for hypothermia. |
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| Ability
after course: |
Understands
basic first aid in a marine
environment. |
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| Minimum
duration: |
1 Day Course |
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Call: 0800 756 5506
direct for free advice from our experienced people
PrestonCentre --- LargsCentre --- LomondCentre
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