SECTION 1: POSITION
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• Dead reckoning and estimated position
• Satellite-derived position
• Use of waypoints to fix position
• Radar fixes
• Techniques of visual fixing
• Fixes using a mixture of position lines
• Relative accuracy of different methods of position fixing
• Areas of uncertainty


SECTION 2: THE MAGNETIC COMPASS
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• Allowance for variation
• Change of variation with time and position
• Causes of deviation
• Swing for deviation (but not correction)
• Allowance for deviation
• Different types of compass


SECTION 3: TIDES
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• Causes of tides – springs and neaps
• Tide tables – sources
• Tidal levels and datum
• Standard and secondary ports
• Tidal anomalies (Solent, etc)


SECTION 4: TIDAL STREAMS
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• Sources of tidal information
• Tidal stream information in sailing
• Directions and Yachtsmen’s Almanacs
• Allowance for tidal streams in computing
• A course to steer
• Tide rips, over falls and races
• Tidal observation buoys, beacons etc.


SECTION 5: BUOYAGE
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• IALA system buoyage in Region A
• Limitations of buoys as navigational aids


SECTION 6: LIGHTS
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• Characteristics
• Ranges – visual, luminous and nominal
• Rising and dipping distance
• Light lists


SECTION 7: PILOTAGE
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• Harbour regulations and control signals
• Methods of pre-planning
• Clearing lines
• Use of soundings
• Transits and leading lines


SECTION 8: GPS & CHART PLOTTERS
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• Principles of operation and limitations of use
• Raster and vector charts
• Datum
• Importance of confirmation of position by an
Independent source and keeping a separate record of position
• Importance of paper charts


SECTION 9: ECHO SOUNDERS
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• Principles of operation and limitations of use

SECTION 10: LOGS (SPEED & DISTANCE)
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• Operation and limitations of use


SECTION 11: DECK LOG
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• Importance of log as yacht’s official document
• Layout of log, hourly and occasional entries


SECTION 12: METEOROLOGY
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• Basic terms, the Beaufort Scale
• Air masses
• Cloud types
• Weather patterns associated with pressure and frontal systems
• Sources of weather forecasts
• Ability to interpret a shipping forecast, weather fax, and weather satellite information.
• Land and sea breezes
• Sea fog
• Use of a barometer as a forecasting aid


SECTION 13: RULES OF THE ROAD
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• A sound knowledge of the International Regulations for Presenting Collisions at Sea, except Annexes 1 and 3


SECTION 14: SAFETY AT SEA
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• Personal safety, use of lifejackets, safety harnesses, and lifelines
• Fire prevention and fire fighting
• Distress signals
• Coastguard and Boat Safety Scheme
• Preparation for heavy weather
• Liferaft and Helicopter rescue
• Understanding the capabilities of vessel and basic knowledge of stability


SECTION 15: NAVIGATION IN RESTRICTED VISIBILITY
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• Precautions to be taken in fog
• Limitations to safe navigation imposed by fog
• Navigation strategy in poor visibility


SECTION 16: PASSAGE PLANNING
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• Preparation of charts and notebook for route Planning and making, use at sea
• Customs regulations as they apply to vessels
• Routine for navigating in coastal waters
• Strategy for course laying
• Use of waypoints and routes
• Use of weather forecast information for passage planning strategy
• Sources of local and national regulations


SECTION 17: MARINE ENVIRONMENT
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• Responsibility to minimise pollution and protect the marine environment