Day Skipper courses are usually run over the autumn and winter months and last for approximately 26 weeks. They are run on Wednesday evening each week in TMYC's clubhouse.

An elementary course in seamanship, navigation and meteorology, leading to the more advanced Yachtmaster course.

Subjects covered:

1. Nautical Terms
   1. Parts of a boat, hull deck and superstructure.
   2. General nautical terminology.
2. Ropework
1. Knowledge of the properties of synthetic ropes in common use.
2. Ability to make and knowledge of the use of: figure of eight, clove hitch, rolling hitch, reef knot, bowline, single and double sheet bend, round turn and two half hitches.
3. Securing to cleats and general rope-handling.
   
3. Anchorwork
1. Characteristics of different types of anchor.
2. Considerations taken into account when anchoring.
   
4. Safety
1. Knowledge of the safety equipment to be carried, its stowage and use (RYA booklet C8).
2. Fire precautions and fire fighting.
3. Use of personal safety equipment – life jackets.
4. Ability to send a distress signal via VHF radiotelephone.
   
5. International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea
1. Steering rules.
2. General rules.
   
6. Definition of position, course and speed
1. Latitude and longitude.
2. Knowledge of standard navigational terms.
3. True bearings and courses.
4. The Knot.
   
7. Navigation Charts and Publications
1. Information shown on charts, chart symbols, representation of direction and distance.
2. Navigational publications in common use.
3. Chart correction.
   
8. Navigational Drawing Instruments
1. Use of parallel rulers, dividers and proprietary plotting instruments.
   
9. Compasses
1. Application of variation and deviation, use of transits and comparison to check deviation.
2. Importance of swinging a compass.
3. Use of hand bearing compass.
4. Siting of steering compass.
   
10. Chartwork
1. Working up position from course steered, distance run and estimates of leeway and set.
2. Plotting fixes.
3. Working out course to steer to allow for leeway and set.
11. Position Fixing
1. Sources of position lines.
2. Potential accuracy of fixing methods.
   
12. Tides and Tidal Streams
1. Tidal definitions, levels and data.
2. Tide tables, standard and secondary ports.
3. Tidal stream predictions.
   
13. Pilotage
1. Use of transits, leading lines and clearing lines.
2. IALA system of buoyage for Region A.
   
14. Visual Aids to Navigation
1. Lighthouses and beacons, light characteristics.
   
15. Passage Planning
1. Preparation of navigational plan for short coastal passages.
   
16. Navigation in Restricted Visibility
1. Precautions to be taken and limitations imposed by fog.
   
17. Meteorology
1. Sources of broadcast meteorological information.
2. Knowledge of terms used in shipping forecasts, including the Beaufort scale and their significance to small craft.