RYA Coastal Skipper is the ideal qualification to follow RYA Day Skipper. It may also form a bridge to a MCA/RYA Yachtmaster™ examination. It’s designed to give a more experienced skipper the confidence to undertake longer and more complex passages which may involve sailing at night or involve watch-keeping systems.
Skippering a yacht on coastal and offshore passages demands strong navigation, seamanship and leadership skills. During the RYA Coastal Skipper course your instructor will guide you through navigation (both offshore and in limited visibility), weather forecasting and passage planning, watch keeping, preparation for sea and handling heavy weather. You will put this all into practice as you plan and execute passages whilst in complete command of the yacht. Coastal skippers must be good boat handlers and you will receive plenty of practice mooring the yacht and experience night sailing. Weather permitting you will also undertake a longer coastal passage.
Achieving your RYA Coastal Skipper certificate is an accomplishment ideal for anyone who wants to further their training, especially to tackle more challenging coastal passages.