Coastal Skippers should be able to undertake more difficult coastal passages by day and night and handle the yacht in more demanding conditions and situations. During the week you will be instructed in advanced skippering techniques and gain considerable practical knowledge of sailing and navigation while learning more about passage planning, pilotage by day and night, close quarters boat handling, safety and emergency situations.
By the end of the week the instructor will give a debrief on your abilities in preparation for you taking the RYA Yachtmaster Coastal exam should you feel ready and you have logged enough qualifying experience.
| Pre-course Practical Requirements: | 15 days, 2 days as skipper, 300 miles, 8 night hours on board a sailing yacht. Boat handling and experience well above that of RYA Day Skipper. Before purchasing this course please have some form of documented evidence of the pre-course practical experience. Ideally this will be a logbook but it can be done retrospectively on a simple spreadsheet or document. |
| Pre-course Theory Requirements: | Navigation theory to RYA Coastal/Yachtmaster Shorebased Course standard i.e. complete this course prior to doing the practical course (unless you can clearly demonstrate ’equivalent knowledge’). Please note that you will have so submit evidence of ’equivalent knowledge’. For Hong Kong, the PVOL 2 or 1 is not sufficient to fulfil this requirement due to gaps in their syllabus. |
| Course duration: | 5 days and 4 night sleeping on-board (no exceptions permitted). |
| Minimum age: | 17 years. Under 18 year old will only be accepted if accompanied by a responsible adult. |
| What’s Included: | Mooring fees, accommodation on-board, all meals and snacks from lunch on the first day to lunch on the last day. All drinks including water and soft drinks. |
| Maximum Students: | 5 maximum. |
| Cost: | HK$13,500. |
| Optional Cost: | HK$500 for an International Certificate of Competence (paid directly to RYA on application). |
| Award: | RYA Coastal Skipper Course Photo ID Certificate. |
The itinerary is dependant on weather but below is a typical 5 day course:
Day 1. Arrive RHKYC Causeway Bay at the time given in your joining instructions. Crew briefing and a long sail west to Tai O, Lantau Island arriving late at night with dinner onboard.
Day 2. Another long day with a sail north and east back to somewhere in Hong Kong island and diner at a RHKYC clubhouse.
Day 3. Sail up to Sai Kung steering under compass. Night navigation exercise to an anchorage in the north of Sai Kung. Spend the night on a mooring and dinner onboard.
Day 4. Sail training around Sai Kung islands and a night entry into Hebe Haven. Evening spent in marina and dinner at RHKYC clubhouse.
Day 5. Practice confined docking in marina under power. Sail back to RHKYC Causeway Bay. Course ends approximately 1600hrs.
Students require to bring the following (see FAQs for more detials):
- Lightweight sleeping bag or equivalent and pillow.
- Clothes suitable for 5 days sailing.
- Kit backed into a soft bag (no hard suitcase).
- Photo ID.
- Weather proof clothing suitable for the time of year.
- Footwear such as deck shoes or trainers with good grip.
Passage planning, preparation for sea, pilotage, passage making and ability as skipper, yacht handling under power, yacht handling under sail, adverse weather conditions, emergency situations.
If you have enough qualifying experience and feel confident in your abilities then take the RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Coastal Certificate of Competence Examination. Otherwise, consolidate what you have learnt by undertaking more sailing either on your own yacht, chartering or by joining a course under the Experience & Mile Building programme to gain valuable experience before your next formal course.
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