FOD RYA Sail Cruising Scheme
RYA & FOD Recognised Centre
Safe and responsible sailing: your journey, our mission.
Sailing courses on the North Sea – from Start Yachting to Yachtmaster.
We partner with C-Masters , meet C-Masters at boot Düsseldorf 17–25 January
We will be making further adjustments to our website in the coming days.
RYA Coastal Skipper (CS)
“All certificates are issued via C-Masters.”
RYA Day Skipper is a practical 5-day liveaboard course that introduces you to the responsibilities of skippering with confidence. You’ll learn how to skipper short coastal passages, taking charge of both your crew and your yacht under the guidance of an experienced instructor.
The RYA Coastal Skipper practical course is a 5-day liveaboard training on tidal waters for experienced sailors ready to advance their skippering skills. You will refine coastal and offshore navigation, passage planning, and yacht handling under sail and engine. The course focuses on confident command, crew management, and decision-making in real conditions. Both day and night sailing are included, preparing you for longer and more demanding passages.
Duration: 5 consecutive days
Location: Nieuwpoort (Belgium) or Kortgene (Zeeland, the Netherlands)
Students: typically 3, exceptional 4
Assumed knowledge: Your knowledge of coastal navigation and meteorology should be to the standard of Coastal Skipper / Yachtmaster Shorebased.
Previous experience: You should be proficient at sailing and have experience of at least
15 days (of which 2 days as skipper)
300 logged miles
8 night hours
Language: English
Plan and execute coastal and offshore passages by day and night, including tidal planning and pilotage
Navigate confidently using charts, position fixing, and electronic navigation aids.
Manage crew, watch systems, and decision-making during longer passages.
Prepare for and respond to adverse weather, reduced visibility, and emergency situations.
Build the confidence and seamanship required to take full command of a yacht on coastal passages.
From confident skipper to advanced coastal skipper.
The RYA Coastal Skipper qualification builds on your existing experience and prepares you to skipper a yacht on longer coastal and offshore passages, by day and night. From advanced passage planning and tidal navigation to confident yacht handling and crew leadership in more demanding conditions, you’ll be ready to take full responsibility on board — in familiar waters and on extended voyages.