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The Nautical Directory
  • Our Courses

      All our courses are engaging, interactive and fun! Whether formal training or simply looking to brush up, we take online learning to the next level.

      • Sailing EssentialsFreeA free course great for anyone who spends time on the water.
      • Essential Navigation & SeamanshipRYA course for beginners. Learn charts, tides, pilotage, and core seamanship with simple practice tasks.
      • Day Skipper TheoryMost PopularRYA course for inshore skippers. Plan day passages using chartwork, tides, weather, and COLREGs.
      • Coastal Skipper / Yachtmaster® TheoryComing SoonRYA course for advanced navigation and passage planning. Work with secondary ports, tidal streams, and offshore weather.
      • SRC (VHF) Marine Radio CourseRYA Short Range Certificate radio course. Study online, then take the practical exam with an RYA assessor.
  • Directory

      Are you looking for something nautical related? Our directory is an extensive list of courses and places associated with the marine industry. Hop over and search now.

      • Places
        Find anywhere nautical, including marinas & training centres. If it exists, we’ve got it listed!
      • Courses
        We help you navigate through the complex world of training and help find what’s best for you.
  • Know-How

      We believe every day’s a school day on a boat! That’s why we built Nautical Know-How, dedicated to answering your questions. Even better, if it can’t answer your question immediately, you can request it, and we’ll add it to our knowledge base.

      • Nautical Terms & Terminology
        Understanding the language of the marine world is like trying to learn a pirate’s secret code while juggling fish. Let us explain why a sheet isn’t for your bed, why “heave ho” doesn’t mean throw up (most of the time), and why “dead reckoning” is surprisingly less ominous than it sounds.
      • Why do we have tides?
        Have you ever wondered what causes the tides? Check out this video, which introduces the forces that create the tides we experience on Earth.
      • What causes our weather?
        A video introducing the drivers behind our weather, part of our RYA Day Skipper & RYA Coastal Skipper / Yachtmaster® Offshore theory courses.
      • Buoyage Flashcards
        Flashcards designed to help remember the buoys in the IALA system. If you want to learn them in detail, our module ‘Getting in and out of harbour‘, covers the IALA system and different buoys used.
      • Interactive Rule Book (COLREGs / IRPCS)
        Whether you’re a novice sailor or a seasoned skipper, we can help you navigate the IRPCS confidently and clearly. Our easy-to-use, easy-to-understand, plain English rule book with helpful interpretations of what each rule means.
      • The Salty Sea Blog
        From salty old sea dogs to fresh-faced deckhands, this blog is for anyone who finds peace, adventure, and a bit of mischief on the water. So hoist the main, set your course, and let’s sail into the stories, lessons, and musings that make life on the sea so irresistible.
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The Nautical Directory
  • Our Courses

      All our courses are engaging, interactive and fun! Whether formal training or simply looking to brush up, we take online learning to the next level.

      • Sailing EssentialsFreeA free course great for anyone who spends time on the water.
      • Essential Navigation & SeamanshipRYA course for beginners. Learn charts, tides, pilotage, and core seamanship with simple practice tasks.
      • Day Skipper TheoryMost PopularRYA course for inshore skippers. Plan day passages using chartwork, tides, weather, and COLREGs.
      • Coastal Skipper / Yachtmaster® TheoryComing SoonRYA course for advanced navigation and passage planning. Work with secondary ports, tidal streams, and offshore weather.
      • SRC (VHF) Marine Radio CourseRYA Short Range Certificate radio course. Study online, then take the practical exam with an RYA assessor.
  • Directory

      Are you looking for something nautical related? Our directory is an extensive list of courses and places associated with the marine industry. Hop over and search now.

      • Places
        Find anywhere nautical, including marinas & training centres. If it exists, we’ve got it listed!
      • Courses
        We help you navigate through the complex world of training and help find what’s best for you.
  • Know-How

      We believe every day’s a school day on a boat! That’s why we built Nautical Know-How, dedicated to answering your questions. Even better, if it can’t answer your question immediately, you can request it, and we’ll add it to our knowledge base.

      • Nautical Terms & Terminology
        Understanding the language of the marine world is like trying to learn a pirate’s secret code while juggling fish. Let us explain why a sheet isn’t for your bed, why “heave ho” doesn’t mean throw up (most of the time), and why “dead reckoning” is surprisingly less ominous than it sounds.
      • Why do we have tides?
        Have you ever wondered what causes the tides? Check out this video, which introduces the forces that create the tides we experience on Earth.
      • What causes our weather?
        A video introducing the drivers behind our weather, part of our RYA Day Skipper & RYA Coastal Skipper / Yachtmaster® Offshore theory courses.
      • Buoyage Flashcards
        Flashcards designed to help remember the buoys in the IALA system. If you want to learn them in detail, our module ‘Getting in and out of harbour‘, covers the IALA system and different buoys used.
      • Interactive Rule Book (COLREGs / IRPCS)
        Whether you’re a novice sailor or a seasoned skipper, we can help you navigate the IRPCS confidently and clearly. Our easy-to-use, easy-to-understand, plain English rule book with helpful interpretations of what each rule means.
      • The Salty Sea Blog
        From salty old sea dogs to fresh-faced deckhands, this blog is for anyone who finds peace, adventure, and a bit of mischief on the water. So hoist the main, set your course, and let’s sail into the stories, lessons, and musings that make life on the sea so irresistible.
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RYA SCHEME:
Motor Cruising

Helmsman's Practical

The RYA Helmsman’s Practical course is designed to build confidence and competence in handling motorboats. Participants learn essential skills such as mooring, anchoring, and maneuvering in tight spaces. The course also covers basic engine checks, safety procedures, and collision regulations. Delivered in a hands-on format, this program is ideal for ...see more
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Course
  • Overview
  • Fundamentals
Helmsman's Practical

Course Overview

The RYA Helmsman’s Practical course is designed to build confidence and competence in handling motorboats. Participants learn essential skills such as mooring, anchoring, and maneuvering in tight spaces. The course also covers basic engine checks, safety procedures, and collision regulations. Delivered in a hands-on format, this program is ideal for those new to motor cruising or seeking to improve their skills at the helm.
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Fundamentals

Course Content

Boat preparation, boat handling, securing to a buoy, berthing alongside, man overboard, types of craft, engines and drives, engine operation and maintenance, safety and seamanship, rules of the road.

Minimum Age

12

Minimum Duration

2 days

Certificate Issuing Criteria

Demonstrate competence in handling a motor cruiser of a specific type in sheltered waters.

Course Format

Afloat

Places running this course

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Zephyr Training

Antibes, Antibes, France
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Bluewater Yachting

Antibes, Antibes, France
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Seawings

Cascais, Cascais, Portugal
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Flying Fish UK

Cowes, Isle of Wight, United Kingdom
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Ondeck Antigua

English Harbour, Antigua, Antigua and Barbuda
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The Ocean Academy

Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States
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Prosailing Malta

Il-Gżira, Il-Gżira, Malta
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Algarve Boat Courses

Lagos, Lagos, Portugal
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Corfu Sea School

Kommeno, Corfu, Greece
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Cruise Control Limited

Poole, Dorset, United Kingdom
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Le Mourier

St Lawrence, Channel Islands, Jersey
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Solent Boat Training

Southampton, Hampshire, United Kingdom
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Oystercoast Watersports

Whitstable, Kent, United Kingdom
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Poole Harbour Sea Survival

Poole, Dorset, United Kingdom
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Portugal Sail And Power

A warm welcome to Portugal Sail and Power Based in Vilamoura Marina on the Algarve, Portugal, we provide all types of training for owners and users of Powerboats, Motorboats and Sailing Yachts. Whether you are looking for an RYA Course, own boat tuition or just a few hours on the ... read more
Quarteira, Faro District, Portugal
: 09:00 - 17:00
Mon
09:00 - 17:00
Tue
09:00 - 17:00
Wed
09:00 - 17:00
Thu
09:00 - 17:00
Fri
09:00 - 17:00
Sat
Closed
Sun
Closed
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VMB Yachts

Viareggio, Viareggio, Italy
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Miceli Vela

Porto Santo Stefano, GR, Italy
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Sailing School Malta

Santa Venera, Santa Venera, Malta
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Mendez Marine

Southampton, Hampshire, United Kingdom
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Urban Truant

Southampton, Hampshire, United Kingdom
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RYA Recognised Training Centre No: 920567214

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