Seamanship

The time taken to complete the Seamanship module will vary from depending on your circumstances and experience but should expect to take around 5 hours to complete this module and associated assessment exercises.

Please read the Learning Outcomes before you start this module as they highlight some key learning topics which we focus on during the module and forms part of the RYA/MCA Day Skipper Shorebased Syllabus.

Learning Outcomes

• You should be able to recognise and know the nautical names of different parts of a boat and develop an understanding of their function.
• Have a general understanding and be able to simply explain how a sail works.
• Describe how the sails should be set for the the various ‘Points of Sail’, and have an understanding of ‘heel’.
• Describe the properties of different types of ropes used on boats.
• Be able to tie and know the function of different knots:
  figure of eight, reef knot, sheet bend, double sheet bend, clove hitch, rolling hitch, round turn and two half-hitches, bowline.
• Appreciate the factors involved when selecting an anchorage and the amount of chain and warp to use.
• Appreciate the suitability of different anchors in varying seabed conditions.
• Understand the advantages and disadvantages of different anchor designs.