Written by Endeavour Sailing on 10 April 2013.

RYA Yachtmaster Ocean Shorebased Course

The RYA Yachtmaster Ocean shorebased course will help you to understand the mysteries of astro navigation, how to use a sextant, how to plan an ocean passage, including passage making, worldwide meterorology and the use of electronic navigational aids.

Course Overview

The Earth & Celestial Sphere
The PZX Triangle
The sextant
Measurement of time
Meridian Altitudes
Sun, Star and other other sights
Compass checking
Satellite Navigation Systems
Great Circle Sailing:Worldwide meterology
Passage planning
Passage Making and communications

Duration

40 hours - Monday to Friday with one exam paper.

Previous Experience Required

Your navigational skills should be at the standard of the RYA Yachtmaster Offshore course.

Price Per Person

£630 (Residential)

£500 (Non Residential)

Our experienced and patient instructors will teach you these skills and guide you through the intricacies of the celestial navigation.

Bookings & Info

We are pleased to announce we have a confirmed course running the week commencing:

Further dates TBC (please email for options)

For more information & bookings please contact Stephanie: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

In addition to the full RYA Yachtmaster Ocean Course we are offering our own unique two day options:

Option 1 - Astro Brush up

This course is intended for those who have completed the RYA Ocean Shorebased Course, or have Astro Navigation experience, but would like to refine or resolve any issues on which they feel unclear.

Star Sight planning
Sun-Run-Sun
Deviation check by rising/setting sun
Latitude by Meridian Sun and Polaris

Option 2 - Introduction to Basic Astro Navigation

This is a basic introduction to celestial navigation intended for those who have a sextant and a chronograph but not been shown how to use them. It is not a certificated course, but intended to teach the novice to determine his/her position with-in reasonable visual range (10-15nm) should the unthinkable happen to your GPS.

Latitude by Meridian Sun and Polaris
Longitude by Rising/setting Sun
Dead Reckoning using Traverse Tables

NOTE:- Both courses will include a practical exercise with a sextant

Duration

2 days

Price Per Person

£230

Price is the same in both high and low season, and will be non-residential with all training materials included and lunches, tea and coffee on both days.

Recommended RYA Books

For more information please contact us on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Below is some recommended precourse reading. Just click on the link and this will take you direct to the RYA web page to order and have your book dispatched direct to your home address.