We provide a number of different courses for professional seafarers and leisure sailors. To help you decide which course is for you, please visit our FAQ page.
RYA Coastal Skipper / Yachtmaster Offshore
Advanced training for more experienced skippers. This course equips you to navigate safely on coastal and offshore passages. This course will take your theory knowledge to the standard required for the Yachtmaster Coastal and Yachtmaster Offshore practical exams, concentrating on advanced navigation and meteorology skills.
Who this course is for: Experienced and up-coming skippers.
Length of course: The course is taught over 45 hours. It can be covered as a series of one night per week sessions, as an intensive week-long course, or over three weekends.
Objective: To reach the standard required for the Yachtmaster Coastal and Yachtmaster Offshore practical exams.
Assessment: There are three exam papers.
Prerequisites: Significant previous sailing or boating experience is expected. Some mathematical ability would be useful.
Format of the course: The course allows some time for revision of the basics and then moves on to advanced navigation techniques.
Syllabus:
- Position fixing
- Course shaping and plotting
- Tidal knowledge
- Use of almanacs and admiralty publications
- Electronic position finding equipment
- Taking and interpreting forecasts
- Plotting weather systems
- Weather predictions using a barometer and by observation
- Collision regulations
- Customs and excise regulations for cruising abroadAdvanced training for more experienced skippers. This course equips you to navigate safely on coastal and offshore passages. This course will take your theory knowledge to the standard required for the Yachtmaster Coastal and Yachtmaster Offshore practical exams, concentrating on advanced navigation and meteorology skills.
If you do not see a scheduled date for the course that you wish to attend, please contact us indicating your interest and availability.
RYA Coastal Skipper / Yachtmaster Offshore – Dublin
Fri, Feb 28 2025 - Sun, Apr 13 2025
Dublin Port 
725 Irish Sailing Coastal Navigation for Small Boats
The aim of Irish Sailing's Coastal Navigation course is to provide participants with the skills and knowledge required to safely navigate a boat by day and by night in coastal waters with which they are familiar. This practical course includes lots of hands-on use of chartplotters. Delivered over a weekend (12-16 hours).
Who this course is for: Anyone who operates a recreational craft in coastal or inland waterways.
Length of course: This course is usually held over one evening, Friday, (3.5 hrs.), one full day, Saturday, (approx. 8 hrs.) and, depending on the number of students and the rate of progress, Sunday morning as well.
Objective: To learn how to safely navigate a boat by day and by night in coastal waters with which the participant is familiar.
Assessment: There are no exams. Participants who demonstrate an understanding of the principles taught during the course will receive an Irish Sailing certificate.
Prerequisites: Some previous sailing or boating experience is expected.
Format of the course: Comprehensive course notes are provided in advance. During the course candidates are led through exercises with paper charts and chartplotters. There is a strong focus on passage planning.
Syllabus:
- Weather
- Navigation
- Passage planning
- Coastal knowledge
- Rules of the Road
- Safety
If you do not see a scheduled date for the course that you wish to attend, please contact us indicating your interest and availability.
