1st Scotsail Training

RYA Day Skipper (Tidal)

Previous experience necessary - 5 Days sailing, 100 miles, 4 night hours plus knowledge up to Day Skipper shorebased theory.

On this Day Skippers course you will learn basic practical skippering techniques. Completion of a 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. Your instructor is there as a coach to guide you through what may be considered a nerve raking experience.

During the course, you will be given the opportunity to practise 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.

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.

Course 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.
Course Aims:	By the end of this course the successful Day Skipper will be able to skipper a Small yacht in familiar waters and short coastal passages by day, in both tidal and non-tidal waters.
Course Requirements:	To gain RYA certificate in 5 days you need to undertake at least 100 miles, 4 night hours taking command of the yacht and crew for short passages.

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RYA / MCA Coastal Skipper (Tidal)

Previous experience necessary candidates should have knowledge up to Coastal Skipper / Yachtmaster theory standard. Practical ability to 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 Coastal Skipper awarded a course completion certificate 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 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.

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.
Course Aims:	To be able to skipper a yacht on coastal passages by day & night.
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.
MCA Exam Requirement:	RYA coastal course completion certificate advisable, plus 10 hr examination by an examiner if the full RYA/MCA Coastal Skipper certificate of competency is required.

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RYA / MCA Yachtmaster Offshore Preparation for Examination

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 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. Scotsail can assist with making theses arrangements.

Course Content:	Passage Planning, Passage making. Skippering Techniques, Man Overboard Recovery, Meteorology, Close Quarters Handling, Pilotage in restricted visibility.
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.
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. The successful Yachtmaster Offshore is an experienced yachts-person, able to skipper a cruising yacht on any passage up to 150 miles from port.
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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RYA Day Skipper Shore Based Course

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.

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.
Course Aims:	This shorebased course is intended to equip the sailor with enough knowledge to navigate around familiar waters by day.
Course Requirements:	Scotsail Training run 3 weekend and 5 day intensive courses throghout the year at thier training centre. 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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RYA Coastal & Yachtmaster Shorebased course

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:

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.
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.
Course Requirements:	Scotsail Training run 3 weekend and 5 day intensive courses throghout the year at thier training centre. 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

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.

Course Type:	THEORY
Suggested minimum pre-course experience:	None
Assumed knowledge:	None
Course content:	Basic maintenance and engine care
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
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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Marine Radio Short Range Certificate Course

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.

Course Type:	THEORY
Suggested minimum pre-course experience:	None
Assumed knowledge:	None
Course content:	Use of marine radio including GMDSS. Routine, distress, urgency and safety procedures.
Ability after course:	Can use a Marine VHF radio.
Minimum duration:	1 daycourses at Scotsail including an exam. See Published dates.

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RYA One Day First Aid Course

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.

Course Type:	THEORY
Suggested minimum pre-course experience:	None
Assumed knowledge:	None
Course content:	First aid and resuscitation techniques for yachtsmen, including a knowledge of the treatment for hypothermia.
Ability after course:	Understands basic first aid in a marine environment.
Minimum duration:	2 x Thursday Evening. See published dates.

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