This course is for anyone interested in sailing, motor boating, angling or diving. It's also the perfect stepping stone to the more in-depth Day Skipper shorebased course or the on-the-water courses Power Boat Level 2, Start Yachting, Helmsman, or Competent Crew.
This is a highly informative course with plenty of opportunities for you to put your new found knowledge in to practice. If you decide to take the course online you will find many interactive exercises to help reinforce the information and lots of chances to try out what you've learned.
In the classroom the course is taught over two days, and includes light lunches, tea and coffee.
Online the course takes around 12 hours, but the beauty of it is that you can work through it at your own speed. All you need is internet access and your course pack. Once paypal receives your payment you will be given instructions on how to log on to the RYA Interactive site and your unique pass code - that way you can start your course immediately. The course pack will be posted to you first class. Should you get stuck at any point there is an instructor always available for emails, help and guidance.
The course pack includes charts, plotter, course handbook, exercises, and an electronic chart plotter CD
Course topics include: charts and publicationsengine checkssafetybuoyagetidal awarenessvisual and electronic navigationpilotagerules of the roadanchoringweather forecastspassage planning
Please contact us to book an in class course.
Ask about our residential package.
|
Online Course Costs £120
|
Class Based Course Costs £150
|
A comprehensive introduction to cruising for inexperienced skippers
This course equips you with enough knowledge to navigate around familiar waters by day. A basic knowledge of lights is also included to introduce you to night cruising.
We are continually updating our courses to take into account develpments in technology and the electronic navigation aids now available on most cruising boats.
The RYA in conjunction with the UK Hydrgraphic Office have developed a chart plotter specifically for use on our training courses, giving you a realistic insight into electronic navigation. Use of this plotter is an integral part of our Day Skipper shorebased course.
The course is taught over 40 hours with two exam papers. It can be covered as a six day course, a three weekend course, or a weekly night class.
We can now offer access to an online line version of Day Skipper through our partners at Navathome.com. You get a unique password to their online site, but have all the backing and support through us at Above the Surface. Once registered you will receive your Day Skipper pack through first class post and an email giving you your log on codes. For a free trial Click Here.
Course topics include: the basics of seamanshipthe essentials of coastal navigation and pilotagechartworkelectronic chartsposition fixingplotting a course to steerweather forecasting and meteorologytidescollision regulationsconstruction, parts and equipment of a cruising boatemergency and safety procedures including distress calls, use of flares, safety harnesses, lifejackets and liferafts
This course provides an excellent pre-requisite before going on to complete the RYA Day Skipper practical certificate.
Course Dates - if these do not suit please contact us as we are very flexible and may be able to run a course around you!
3 Consecutive Weekends, includes light lunches, tea & coffee - residential options available
8th Oct - 23rd Oct 2011, 14th Jan - 29th Jan 2012, 24th Mar - 8th Apr 2012
Six day, includes light lunches, tea & coffee - residential options available
8th Oct - 14th Oct 2011, 14th Jan - 19th Jan 2012, 24th Mar - 29th Mar 2012
23 week night class
Every Monday Night 7pm - 9pm starting Monday 26 September 2011.
| Class Based Course Costs £325 |
Online Course Costs £300 |
|
|
|
|
| Advanced training for more experienced skippers building on the Day Skipper course
This course equips you to navigate safely on coastal and offshore passages. It allows some time for revision of the basics and then moves on to advanced navigation techniques.
This course will take your theory knowledge to the standard required for the Coastal Skipper and Yachmaster Offshore practical exams, concentrating on advanced navigation and meteorolgy skills.
As with the Day Skipper shorebased course, the RYA's specially designed chart plotter software will be used suring this course to give you a realistic taste of modern electronic navigation.
The course is taught over 40 hours with three exam papers. It can be covered over three consecutive weekends, a six day intensive course or new for 2011 a Winter evening class.
We can now offer access to an online line version of Coastal Skipper / Yachtmaster Theory through our partners at Navathome.com. You get a unique password to their online site, but have all the backing and support through us at Above the Surface. Once registered you will receive your Coastal Skipper pack through first class post and an email giving you your log on codes.For a free trial Click Here.
Course topics include: position fixingcourse shaping and plottingtidal knowledgeuse of almanacs and admiralty publicationselectronic position finding equipmenttaking and interpreting weather forecastsplotting weather systemsweather predictions using a barometer and by observationscollision regulationscustoms and excise regulations for cruising abroad
Course Dates - if these dont suit please contact us as we are very flexible and may be able to run a course around you!
3 Consecutive Weekends, includes light lunches, tea & coffee
3rd Dec - 18th Dec 2011, 25th Feb - 11th Mar 2012
Six day, includes light lunches, tea & coffee
5th Nov - 9th Nov 2011, 25th Feb - 1st Mar 2012.
NEW FOR 2011 - Evening Class
Every Thursday Night 7pm - 9pm Starting Thursday 29th September for 24 weeks
| Class Based Course Costs £375 |
Online Course Costs £300 |
|
|
|
|
|
Unravel the mysteries of astro navigation, using a sextant, ocean passage making, worldwide meteorology and electronic navigation aids.
This course is for those aspiring to blue water cruising and is ideal for holders of theYachtmaster Offshore certificate who are preparing for their first ocean passage.
Topics covered include: The earth and the celestial spherePractical guide to use and care of sextant at seaMeridian altitudesSun, star and other sightsOcean passage planning
Prior to the course your navigation skills should be at the standard of the Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaster Offshore shorebased course.
If you are working towards your Yachtmaster Ocean Certificate of Competence, completion of this shorebased course exempts you from the written exam.
We can now offer access to an online version of Yachtmaster Ocean through our partners at Navathome.com. Once registered you will receive your course pack through first class post and an email giving you log in details and passwords. For a free trial Click Here.
A one day course for anyone who owns a fixed or hand-held marine VHF radio
The Short Range Certificate is the minimum qualification required by law to operate a VHF radio fitted with Digital Selective Calling (DSC) on any British vessel voluntarily fitted with a radio.
A radio is an important piece of safety equipment on board and it is vital to understand the correct procedures. Unnecessary transmissions could block out a Mayday distress call
All new VHF sets are either fitted, or can be interfaced, with DSC allowing calls to specific vessels. If you hold the 'old' VHF license (pre1999) you need to upgrade your qualification if you purchase new equipment, This can be done by attending this one-day course or, if no tuition is required, you can enter for direct examination.
Course topics include: the basics of radio operationthe correct frequencies(channels) to be useddistress, emergency and medical assistance proceduresmaking ship to shore telephone callsDigital Selective Calling (DSC) using simulatorsGlobal Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS)Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRB)Search And Rescue Transponder (SART)
Course costs £99 minus and includes a light lunch, a passport photograph and a cheque for £30 made payable to the RYA will also be required on the day.
Radio and Radar Weekends - both courses for £179 saving £20!
Course Dates - if these don't suit please contact us as we may be able to fit a course in around your schedule
28th Sept 2011, 12th Nov 2011, 4th Feb 2012, 17th Mar 2012
A one day course giving you an inderstanding of radar as an aid to navigation and collision avoidance.
Cruising boats increasingly have radar on board. The International Regulations for Prevention of Collisions at Sea state if you have a radar, you must know how to use it.
Radar is probably the most versatile of all navigational aids, but the best results are only obtained when you know how to use all the functions correctly. It is not an all seeing eye, and can easily mislead those who do not understand its controls, allow for its limitations or interpret its picture.
Course topics include: how the radar set workhow its adjustments and features affect the way it workstarget definition types of radar displayradar plottingthe use of radar in navigation and collision avoidance
Course costs £99 and includes a light lunch.
Radio and Radar Weekends - both courses for £179 saving £20!
Course Dates - if these don't suit please contact us as we may be able to fit a course in around your schedule
13th Nov 2011, 5th Feb 2012, 18th Mar 2012
If you intend to cruise the inland waterways of Europe, then you will need to endorse your certificate of competance with the CEVNI exam. This exam ensures you are aware of the signals used within the inland system.This can now be taken on-line as well as at the centre.
Come in to the centre and book your test, or alternatively use the payment section below and we shall issue you with a unique pass code to the RYA website.
Either online or at the centre, a practice test is available to see if you are ready for the real thing, and then you are given two attempts at the real test, which consists of two parts each with 15 questions. The pass mark is 11 correct from each section. Part 1: signs and buoyage; Part 2: sound signals, lights and shapes
Test costs £25
|