The RYA is introducing the new Basic Navigation and Safety Course for 2007 and Compass Sea School are delighted to be one of the first RYA centres to receive approval to deliver this essential training.

The course provides an introduction to the basic skills required before taking a small boat to sea or taking an active part in running a boat.

Before going to sea it is essential that you understand how to practically run your boat so that you don't get into difficulties. During the course you will cover a basic introduction to charts and associated publications so that you can make an informed decision about where to go. You will learn about buoyage systems, the basics of navigation and about boating safely. When you are out on your boat you may want to anchor, so we will tell you how, and more importantly what to consider when looking for an anchorage.

During the course you will also learn how to find out what the tide is doing and how to apply that information to keep your day safe. Electronic navigation will also play a key part in the course and you will learn how to use GPS information correctly.

At sea you will also need to know what to do in a collision situation and how to avoid it. Towards the end of the course the more practical aspects of weather are covered, in particular, how to obtain a relevant forecast and what it means to us at sea in a small boat. The final section of the course looks at combining all of the elements of the course to discuss passage planning so that when you leave us, you know how to safely get between nearby ports and harbours, by day and in good weather

Students looking to progress onto Day Skipper Theory are strongly advised to do this course first before moving on.

The course is ideal for anybody who sails a small boat close to land, for divers, fishermen, inshore racers, power boaters and jet skiers.