Day skippers

[Gramas]

Well due to work I was given the opportunity to do the day skippers shore based theory to give me start on my road to gaining my yachtmasters.
I work on crew transfer vessels and was keen to progress and learn the bridge so was booked in at small place in Southampton by the itching bridge.
Was great course learning the basics and will not only help with work but also for taking my own rib out etc
How many folk take this route or do you all stick to pb levels etc?
Regards graham

[John Kennett]

I did my Coastal/Offshore theory at evening classes years ago. I'd definitely recommend it as there's a lot of useful stuff in it. Explaining my passage plans and weather routing was fun, given that it was generally raggie orientated but I decided to stick with what I knew and base my stuff on a RIB

[Crusher]

I did my day skippers , yacht masters theory and practical, all very useful, and a good way to spend a few (dark?) evenings!!

I have done a few courses and have always found SWAC (active nation) to be very good and down to earth, sensible, practical

I'm sure you'll enjoy it there.

[Ribochet]

Originally Posted by Gramas

How many folk take this route or do you all stick to pb levels etc?
Regards graham

The RYA Powerboat scheme should be on average 80% practical on the water so it is a great idea to back this up with some shorebased theory such as the Day Skipper or the Essential Navigation course - therefore you can "talk the talk" and "walk the walk"

[Festinghouse]

day skipper theory course was excellent, learned plenty and confirmed many things i wasnt quite sure on. really enjoyed doing the chartwork, though seems a shame that once you step back on board a rib you go straight back to pressing buttons on a chartplotter! of course this is down to practicalities rather than laziness, but having the understanding of tides etc before setting out is priceless.

[boristhebold]

Ive done Day Skipper Theory twice over past 5 years and am currently doing the YachtMaster theory at night school, yes I agree excellent use of the dark evenings and very enjoyable. Plus it's rather amusing learning at my old Comprehensive school, actually sitting in the same classroom I was in over 30 years ago ! The only difference is I actually want to be at school this time round. LOL

[Trimix]

Im interested in learning some more - is there a sylubus someone can point me to so I can see whats taught. ?

[vjmehra]

Day Skipper | Navigation & Seamanship Theory | Courses | Learning | Courses & Training | RYA

[tim griffin]

A great course and have a great deal for the online courses at the moment .
http://www.griffmarineservices.co.uk/offers.html
Course pack Includes your practice navigation charts and almanac along with Dayskipper course book and cd rom for electronic navigation .
Experienced instructor on hand to help you with any problems you may encounter only £290 and if you go on to do the Yachtmaster Coastal you get a further 10% discount on that and any other courses .
Tim

[indaba1991]

Originally Posted by Gramas

Well due to work I was given the opportunity to do the day skippers shore based theory to give me start on my road to gaining my yachtmasters.
I work on crew transfer vessels and was keen to progress and learn the bridge so was booked in at small place in Southampton by the itching bridge.
Was great course learning the basics and will not only help with work but also for taking my own rib out etc
How many folk take this route or do you all stick to pb levels etc?
Regards graham

Hi Gramas

I did the reverse route - I trained through all the RYA courses. I then did the MCA 200 ton Masters as well as a Boatmasters Tier 1 Level 2 for some work I was doing on the Thames. So commercially I am now rated up to 250 passengers and can be an OOW up to 500 tons on sailing / power boat. Even then there are specialist elements like Local Knowledge Endorsements and pilot exemptions. Although I have driven RIBS for years I only recently started to follow some PB courses on them. I have to confess I really have learnt a good deal recently - although much of the content is the same there are some specific issues on RIBS which I should have known - but didn't. One forgets even the elementary stuff and there is no substitute for regular training (as pilots follow in simulators etc) So if you are interested enough (and can afford it!) you can benefit from both.It also depends on how far you want to take it - higher qualifications are probably only necessary if you need to be commercial. I would advocate the RYA Yachtmaster Courses on both power and sail - they are great fun to do.

[Ribochet]

Originally Posted by Trimix

Im interested in learning some more - is there a sylubus someone can point me to so I can see whats taught. ?

Nautical terms
Ropework
Anchorwork
Safety
Collision Regulations
Definition of position, course and speed
Navigational charts and publications
Navigational drawing instruments
Compass
Chartwork
Tides and tidal streams
Visual aids to navigation
Meteorology
Passage planning
Navigation in restricted visibility
Pilotage
Marine environment

All great stuff and it helps sort the "wheat from the chaff"

[Trimix]

That sounds like the kind of stuff I need to know about - I will get a bit of experience with my boat first then book myself onto the course.

[Ribochet]

Originally Posted by Trimix

That sounds like the kind of stuff I need to know about - I will get a bit of experience with my boat first then book myself onto the course.

Its a bit of a "chicken and egg" conundrum but this is the best time of the year to spent on the theory and believe me it is a never ending learning curve.

[Trimix]

Good point, but I still need to get some practical experience following my Power boat 1 & 2 a few months ago, then spend some time messing about in my boat.

Im still at the stage of "all the gear and no idea".

Poole next week for my VHF course and the weekend spend down there should help a bit.

[Ribochet]

Originally Posted by Trimix

Good point, but I still need to get some practical experience following my Power boat 1 & 2 a few months ago, then spend some time messing about in my boat.
Im still at the stage of "all the gear and no idea".
Poole next week for my VHF course and the weekend spend down there should help a bit.

It sounds as if you are on the ball re training

Enjoy your VHF course - proper comm's is one of the hallmarks of good seamanship

[Gramas]

2nd good coms, don't know how many times I've been of rnli shout and vessel in distress have shocking usage of the vhf etc