Position

• Understand dead reckoning and estimated position
• Understand satellite-derived position
• Use of waypoints
• Radar fixes
• Techniques of visual fixing
• Understand fixes using a mixture of position lines
• Relative accuracy of different methods of position lines
• Understand areas of uncertainty

The magnetic compass

• Allowance for variation
• Understand change of variation with tie and position
• Understand causes of deviation
• Swing for deviation (but not correction)
• Allowance for deviation
• Different types of compass

Tides

• Causes of tides – Springs and Neaps
• Tide tables – sources
• Tidal levels and datum
• Standard and secondary ports
• Tidal anomalies

Tidal streams

• Sources of tidal information
• Tidal stream information in sailing directions and yachtsmen’s Almanacs
• Allowance for tidal stream in computing a course to steer
• Tide rips, overfalls and races
• Tidal observation buoys, beacons etc

Buoyage

• IALA system buoyage in Region A
• Limitations of buoys as navagational aids

Lights

• Understand characteristics
• Ranges – visual, luminous and nominal
• Rising and dipping distances
• Light lists

Pilotage

• Harbour regulations and control signals
• Methods of pre-planning
• Clearing lines
• Use of soundings
• Transits and leading lines

GPS and chart plotters

• Principles of operation and limitations of use
• aster and vector charts
• Understand datum
• Importance of confirmation of position by an independent source and keeping a seperate record of position
• Importance of paper charts

Echo sounders

• Principles of operation and limitations of use

Logs (speed and distance measuring)

• Principles of operation and limitation of use

Deck log

• Importance of log as yachts official document
• Layout of log, hourly and occasional entries

Meteorology

• Understand basic terms, the Beaufort scale
• Air masses
• Cloud types
• Weather patterns associated with pressure and frontal systems
• Sources of weather forecasts
• Ability to interpret a shipping forecast, weatherfax and weather satellite information
• Land and sea breezes
• Sea fog
• Use of a barometer as a forecasting aid

Rules of the road

• A sound knowledge of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, except Annexes 1 and 3

Safety at sea

• Personal safety, use of lifejackets, safety harnesses and lifelines
• Fire prevention and fire fighting
• Distress signals
• Coastguard and Boat Safety Scheme
• Preparation for heavy weather
• Liferafts and helicopter rescue
• Understanding of capabilities of vessel and basic knowledge of stability

Navigation in restricted visability

• Precautions to be taken in fog
• Limitations to safe navigation imposed by fog
• Navigation strategy in poor visibility

Passage planning

• Preparation of charts and notebook for route planning and making, and use at sea
• Custom regulations as they apply to yachts
• Routine navigating in coastal waters
• Strategy for course laying
• Use of waypoints and routes
• Use of weather forecast information for passage planning strategy
• Sources of local and national regulations

Marine environment

• Responsibility to minimise pollution and protect the marine environment