What a Day Skipper can do
A Day Skipper can take charge of a small yacht or motor cruiser on short passages by day in familiar waters, in moderate conditions. The qualification consists of two separate parts: a theory course on shore and a practical course on board. The practical certificate also qualifies you for the ICC.
Day Skipper theory
DurationAbout 40 hours
FormatClassroom or online
AssessmentTwo papers: chartwork and general
Topics
- Charts, chart symbols and publications, position, course and distance
- Compass: variation and deviation, true, magnetic and compass courses
- Tides: heights and times at standard and secondary ports, tidal streams, tidal diamonds
- Course to steer allowing for tidal stream and leeway, estimated position
- Pilotage: transits, clearing lines, leading lights, harbour plans
- Buoyage and lights, including light characteristics
- Collision regulations: steering and sailing rules, lights, shapes and sound signals
- Weather: sources of forecasts, Beaufort scale, fronts, sea and land breezes, fog
- Safety: lifejackets and harnesses, man overboard, fire, flares, liferaft, helicopter rescue, VHF
- Passage planning, navigation with GPS and plotters, and the legal requirements for small craft
The assessment
At the end you sit two papers: a chartwork paper and a general paper. They are marked by your instructor and discussed with you. There is no fixed percentage pass mark; the instructor checks that you understand the principles and can apply them without serious errors. If you do not pass, you can usually retake the paper.
Day Skipper practical
Duration5 days on board, often living aboard
Minimum age16
Recommended before the courseAbout 5 days, 100 miles and 4 night hours on board
The course is taken under sail or on a motor cruiser. The theory knowledge is assumed, so take the theory course first. You learn to:
- brief and manage a crew and prepare the boat for sea
- handle the boat under engine and sail: berthing, mooring buoys, anchoring, man overboard
- navigate and pilot on short coastal passages by day and night
- use the VHF radio, the forecast and the passage plan
- deal with emergencies and keep the crew safe
There is no exam at the end. The instructor assesses you continuously and issues the course completion certificate when you have reached the standard.
