RYA Competent Crew Courses
Designed specifically for a complete beginner the RYAs Competent Crew Course introduces you gradually into the world of yacht sailing. While there will be plenty of time to relax you can’t just sit around for 5 to 7 days, you will be playing an active part of the team.
The Competent Crew Course is nearly entirely hands on and practical. You will learn the basics of how sails work, safe use of the boats equipment including winches and cleats as well as learning to be a vital crew member for major procedures such as mooring, anchoring and general sailing, including the ability to steer a yacht in a straight line (it’s harder than you might think!) You will also begin to learn about knots and general rope work, vital in sailing.
Highlights
:: Great for beginners
:: No experience required
:: No end of week pass or fail exam!
:: Minimum 5 days sailing
:: Can be done over weekends
:: Available all over the world
| Pre-course experience | None |
| Assumed knowledge | None |
| Minimum duration | 5 days. Often run over 3 weekends or 3 days plus a weekend. If you have done the Start Yachting course, this course can be completed in 3 or 4 days |
| Minimum age | None |
| Ability after the course | Able to steer, handle sails, keep a lookout, row a dinghy and assist in all the day to day routines |
Course Syllabus
Click on the title below for more information:
Knowledge of sea terms and parts of a boat, her rigging:
Sufficient knowledge to understand orders given concerning the sailing and day-to-day running of the boat
Sail Handling:
Bending on, setting, reefing and handling of sails
Use of sheets and halyards and their associated winches
Rope Work
Handling ropes, including coiling, stowing, securing to cleats and single and double bollards
Handling
Ability to tie the following knots and to know their correct use: figure-of-eight, clove hitch, rolling hitch, bowline, round turn and two half hitches, single and double sheet bend, reef knot
Fire precautions and fighting
Awareness of the hazards of fire and the precautions necessary to prevent fire
Knowledge of the action to be taken in event of fire
Personal safety equipment
Understands and complies with rules for the wearing of safety harnesses, lifejackets and personal buoyancy aids
Man overboard
Understands the action to be taken to recover a man overboard
Emergency Equipment
Can operate distress flares and knows when they should be used
Understands how to launch and board a liferaft
Manners and customs
Understands accepted practice with regard to: use of burgees and ensigns, prevention of unnecessary noise or disturbances harbour including courtesies to other craft berthed alongside.
Aware of the responsibility of yacht skippers to protect the environment
Rules of the road
Is able to keep an efficient lookout at sea
Dinghies
Understands and complies with the loading rules
Are able to handle a dinghy under oars
Meteorology
Awareness of forecasting services and knowledge of the Beaufort scale
Helmsmanship and sailing
Understands the basic principles of sailing and can steer and trim sails on all points of sailing
Can steer a compass course, under sail and power.
General duties
Has carried out general duties satisfactorily on deck and below decks in connection with the daily routine of the vessel
Next Step
We’re sure you’ll get the sailing bug fairly quickly after this course! It’s now time to head into the classroom or to the desk and do the RYA Day Skipper Theory. After this it’s back to the water for the RYA Day Skipper practical course.
Destinations
You can do the RYA course at dozens of locations all over the world. Unlike other courses there are no parameters over whether the destinations are tidal or non tidal. Close to home you can enjoy a course over a week or weekend in the UK. If you’d like to make it more of a holiday then Greece, Croatia and Turkey are all great holiday hot spots. You can also do the RYA Competent Crew Course in Gibraltar, Canaries, Caribbean, Thailand, Malaysia or Australia. so basically all over the world!
Competent Course Packages