RYA Online Essential Navigation and Safety Course
Guide Price
Prices starting from £199
Who is this course for
This course is ideal for anyone new to boating or looking to build a solid foundation in navigation and safety. Whether you’re sailing, crewing, or enjoying motorboating, it’s perfect for beginners or those preparing for further RYA training.
About Course
The RYA Essential Navigation and Safety Course introduces the fundamentals of inshore navigation and boating safety in an easy-to-follow, enjoyable format. You’ll learn the basics of navigation, including tidal awareness, chart reading, almanacs, and using electronic navigation aids such as GPS.
The course also covers harbour entry and departure, buoyage systems, and the Collision Regulations, giving you a clear understanding of right of way. You’ll explore weather sources and learn how weather can affect your passage.
Towards the end of the course, you’ll apply your new skills to plan a real passage and gain practical knowledge of the safety equipment you should carry and how to use it effectively.
Course Content
This course will cover:
- Basics of navigation: charts, tidal awareness, and almanacs
- Using electronic navigation aids such as GPS
- Harbour entry and departure, including pilotage and buoyage
- Understanding Collision Regulations (COLREGs)
- Weather awareness and how it affects your passage
- Planning a simple voyage
- Essential safety equipment and how to use it
Login Details
Accessing the online course is simple. We will email you a personal username and password. You will be given tutorials on the site but you can also email our instructors with the link on the training site if you need any further assistance.
Navigation Pack
To complete the course you will need the navigation pack which is included in the course cost. This includes the training charts, training almanac, plotters and dividers. We will post to the address you used when booking online unless you notify us otherwise.
Course Objectives
By the end of this course, you will be able to:
- Understand the key principles of inshore navigation
- Read charts and use tidal information confidently
- Apply Collision Regulations and buoyage knowledge safely
- Interpret weather information for safe boating
- Plan a simple passage using your navigation skills
- Use essential safety equipment effectively
Pre requirements
None.
Duration
We estimate that this online course will take 10-16 hours.
Location
Booking
Book online from the dates on this page or call 01273 42 48 42 option 1 or email us.
If you cannot find a suitable dates please contact us.
Location
What to bring
- You will require a PC, Mac or iPad, that is connected to the internet for this online course.
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FAQ's
How to Book
Courses can be booked directly through our website. If you’re unsure which course is right for you, our team is happy to advise.
Yes, availability is displayed on each experience page. If your preferred date isn’t shown, please contact us as we may still be able to accommodate you.
We recommend booking 4–8 weeks in advance, particularly for popular courses like RYA Day Skipper during the spring and summer season.
Course Information
No, beginners can start with RYA Competent Crew or our Learn to Sail package, which is designed for those with no previous sailing experience.
For most people, reaching RYA Day Skipper takes several months to a year, depending on availability and experience. A typical pathway includes:
- RYA Competent Crew (5 days)
- RYA Day Skipper Theory (online or classroom)
- RYA Day Skipper Practical (5 days)
Our Zero to Day Skipper Package is the fastest and most cost effective way to achieve the Day Skipper certificate.
There is no formal written exam during the practical course. Assessment is continuous and based on competence and confidence on board.
In the UK, the ICC is usually issued through the RYA. You can obtain one by:
Holding an accepted RYA qualification (such as Day Skipper) and applying to the RYA directly to convert it to an ICC, or
Passing an ICC assessment with an RYA-approved training centre
Yes. Once you hold RYA Day Skipper Practical, you can apply for an ICC without further testing.
During the RYA Competent Crew and RYA Day Skipper courses you will be expected to stay onboard for:
Part 2 (3 days) & 5 Consecutive days
The boat will visit marinas during this course, if the boat is in Brighton Marina then you are welcome to stay at home.
Our Part 1 Yacht courses and Level 1 & Level 2 courses are run as non-residential and you are not expected to stay onboard.
Any other questions
No, beginners can start with RYA Competent Crew or our Learn to Sail package, which is designed for those with no previous sailing experience.