Coastal Skipper and Yachtmaster 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 advanced course in navigation and meteorology.

Subjects covered:

1. Dead Reckoning and Estimated Position
1. Definition of the DR and EP
2. Working up DR and EP by plotting on a chart
   
2. The Position Line
1. Sources of position lines, transits, compass bearings, rising and dipping distances, radio position lines and depth contours.
   
3. The Magnetic Compass
1. Allowance for variation.  Change of variation with time and position.
2. Siting compass and causes of deviation.
3. Allowance for deviation.
4. Steering and hand bearing compasses.
5. Swing for deviation (but not correction).
   
4. Position Fixing
1. Techniques of visual fixing.
2. Running fixes.
3. Radio fixes.
4. Fixes containing a mixture of position lines.
5. Ranges by dipping distances.
   
5. Tides
1. Causes of tides – springs and neaps.
2. Tide tables.
3. Tidal levels and data.
4. Times and heights of standard ports.
5. The rule of twelfths.
6. Corrections for secondary ports.
7. Tidal anomalies.
   
6. Tidal Streams
1. Tidal stream atlas.
2. Tidal diamonds.
3. Tidal stream information available.
4. Allowance for tidal streams in computing a course to steer.
5. Tide rips, overfalls and races.
6. Tidal stream observation by buoys, beacons etc.<
7. Buoyage
1. IALA system buoyage in Region A.
2. Limitations of buoys as navigational aids.
   
8. Light
1. Characteristics.
2. Ranges – visual, luminous and nominational ranges.
3. Light Lists – Admiralty and Yachtsman’s Almanacs.
   
9. Pilotage
1. Harbour regulations and control signals.
2. Method of pre-planning.
3. Clearing lines.
   
10. Echo Sounder
1. Principle of operation.
2. Rotating neon, dial and pointer, recording.
3. Reduction of soundings.
4. “Second trace” echoes.
   
11. Radio Aids to Navigation
1. Radio beacons.
2. D/F receivers, types of aerials.  Methods of operation.  Audio and visual null points.  Reciprocal bearings.
   
12. Logs (Speed and Distance Measuring)
1. Types and principles of operation, comparison of towed, pressure, impeller and sonic.
   
13. Deck Log
1. Importance of log as vessel’s official document.
2. Layout of log, hourly and occasional entries.
   
14. Meteorology
1. Basic meteorological terms, the Beaufort Scale.
2. Air masses.
3. Cloud types.
4. Weather patterns associated with pressure and frontal systems.
5. Weather forecasts and simple meteorological instruments.
6. Ability to sketch a weather map from a shipping forecast.
7. Land and sea breezes.
8. Sea fog – forecasting.
   
15. Anchoring
1. Types of anchors and principles of operation.
2. Selection of an anchor berth.
   
16. Rule of the Road
1. A sound knowledge of the International Regulations for Prevention of Collisions at Sea.
   
17. Safety at Sea
1. Personal safety, use of life jackets and life lines.
2. Fire precautions and fire fighting.
3. Distress signals.
4. Coast guards.
5. Preparation for heavy weather.
   
18. Signals
1. Principles of signalling.
2. Ability to recognise and know the meaning of particular flags.
   
19. Navigation in Restricted Visibility
1. Precautions to be taken in fog.
2. Limitations to safe navigation imposed by fog.
   
20. Passage Planning and Making
1. Preparation of charts and notebook for route planning.
2. Customs regulations.
3. Routine for navigation in coastal waters.
4. Strategy for course laying.