Skippering a yacht on coastal and offshore passages demands strong navigation, seamanship and leadership skills. The Coastal Skipper Practical Course prepares those with previous skippering experience to undertake longer voyages.

During the course your instructor will guide you through navigation, both offshore and in limited visibility, weather forecasting and passage planning, watch keeping and preparation for sea. You will put this all in practice as each student plans and executes passages taking complete command of the yacht.

Coastal Skippers must be good boat handlers and you will receive plenty of practice mooring the yacht in a wide variety of situations. You live aboard the boat for the 5 days visiting many different harbours and anchorages and minimum 4 hours night sailing. Weather permitting the yacht will undertake a longer coastal passage. At the successful completion of the course you will be awarded the Coastal Skippers Course Competition Certificate and will be able to skipper coastal passages safely and confidently.

When booking you may also elect to take the RYA Coastal Skipper exam. This takes an additional 2 days. Passing the exam, along with successful completion of the RYA First Aid, Sea Survival and SRC (VHF) courses, enables you to gain your Commercial Endorsement allowing you to work as a Coastal Skipper.