RYA Shore-based Navigation Theory

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RYA-THEORY-M1 · Day Skipper Theory

5 lessons

RYA-THEORY-M1-A Charts, position, tides, tidal streams, IRPCS, buoyage and pilotage — the foundation tier. Practice in examiner →

RYA-THEORY-L1.1

Charts, position and the compass

Navigation begins with the chart and a reliable way to describe where you are, so this first lesson covers the nautical chart, latitude and longitude, and the marine compass with its errors. Everything that follows in the course rests on these foundations.

RYA-THEORY-L1.2

Tides and tidal heights

Tides raise and lower the sea by many metres in some places, deciding whether there is water under the keel, so calculating the height of tide is a core Day Skipper skill. This lesson covers why tides happen and how to work the height at a standard port.

RYA-THEORY-L1.3

Tidal streams and estimating position

As well as rising and falling, the tide flows horizontally as a tidal stream that can set the boat well off her course, so the skipper must allow for it. This lesson covers tidal streams, leeway, and the estimated position that combines them.

RYA-THEORY-L1.4

IRPCS and keeping a safe watch

The collision regulations apply to every vessel from a dinghy to a supertanker, and the skipper must know the essentials cold. This lesson introduces the conduct rules and the basics of keeping a safe lookout.

RYA-THEORY-L1.5

Buoyage, lights and pilotage basics

Getting safely into and out of harbour means reading the buoyage and lights and thinking a pilotage plan through in advance. This lesson covers the IALA buoyage system and the basics of pilotage for the Day Skipper.

RYA-THEORY-M2 · Coastal / Yachtmaster Offshore Theory

5 lessons

RYA-THEORY-M2-A Secondary ports, offshore passage planning, electronic navigation, meteorology and night collision avoidance. Practice in examiner →

RYA-THEORY-L2.1

Secondary ports and complex tidal problems

Most harbours are not standard ports with their own tide tables but secondary ports predicted from a nearby standard port, so the coastal navigator must be able to work them. This lesson covers secondary-port calculations and the practical tidal problems they solve.

RYA-THEORY-L2.2

Passage planning offshore

A good passage plan turns an intention into a safe, monitored voyage, and at Coastal/Offshore theory level the plan is worked to a professional standard. This lesson covers offshore passage planning end to end.

RYA-THEORY-L2.3

Electronic navigation — GPS, plotters, radar and AIS

Electronic aids are powerful and now central to navigation, but they must be used with judgement and cross-checked, because their failures are quiet and confident. This lesson covers GNSS, chartplotters, radar and AIS at coastal level.

RYA-THEORY-L2.4

Meteorology for the coastal skipper

Weather decides whether and how a passage is made, so the coastal skipper must read the forecasts, understand the systems, and recognise the signs of change. This lesson covers meteorology at Coastal/Offshore theory level.

RYA-THEORY-L2.5

Lights, shapes and collision avoidance at night

At night and in poor visibility vessels are known by their lights and sound signals, and the coastal skipper must recognise them and apply the collision rules in the dark. This lesson covers recognition and night collision avoidance.

RYA-THEORY-M3 · Yachtmaster Ocean Theory

4 lessons

RYA-THEORY-M3-A Astro-navigation, worldwide meteorology and ocean passage-making. Practice in examiner →

RYA-THEORY-L3.1

Principles of astro-navigation

Beyond the range of terrestrial marks, and as a backup when the electronics fail, the sun and stars give position anywhere on Earth. This lesson covers the principle of celestial navigation at Ocean theory level — how a sextant sight becomes a line on the chart.

RYA-THEORY-L3.2

Sun sights, meridian passage and compass checks

The sun is the ocean navigator's workhorse, and the practical 'sun-run-sun' day, anchored by the noon latitude, is the routine that fixes the boat's position at sea. This lesson covers working the sun through the day and using it to check the compass.

RYA-THEORY-L3.3

Worldwide meteorology and ocean routeing

Ocean passages cross climatic zones and storm regions no coastal sailor meets, so ocean planning is done by season and by the climatology of the whole route. This lesson covers worldwide meteorology and routeing at Ocean theory level.

RYA-THEORY-L3.4

Ocean passage planning and communications

An ocean passage demands thorough preparation of the boat, the crew and the navigation, because everything must work for weeks beyond the reach of quick help. This lesson covers ocean passage planning and long-range communications at Ocean theory level.

Aligned to the published MCA syllabus. Official syllabus (GOV.UK).

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