RYA shore-based Sailing Courses Detailed information        Back to Sail North

Page 1 Yachtmaster, Dayskipper and the new Basic Navigation two day course.

Page 2 VHF DSC radio.

Thanks for your enquiry concerning the RYA Shore-based Sailing Courses, Dayskipper and Yachtmaster. There are two RYA (Royal Yachting Association) classroom based courses starting in September. They both take about 22 weeks, 2 hours per week, and will be completed in April 09.  

Options and Procedures for enrolling:

1. On line -          www.sheffcol.ac.uk  , click     ‘courses';     1/2 way down the page 'course search'; search against 'sailing';   select your option;    complete the online form
2. At Castle -      dates in August, and September.
3. On the night if places are available, on the evening of the first lesson.

Sailing course information:

For Castle College information is found in the Sheffield Colleges Choices Magazine, under the section Sport, leisure and tourism (page 88).

Course requirements and syllabus: This is best found by reference to web site www.sailnorth.co.uk and checking out the pages ‘course descriptions’ and ‘syllabus. e-mail billclay@sailnorth.co.uk ; or Telephone bill clay on 07771 652123 any evening. College hot line 0114 2603603 or 01142602600.

RYA VHF-DSC Radio - Short Range Certificate  - All Course details

Objective: The ‘Maritime radio operator’s ‘short range radio’ certificate of competence’ is a requisite part of the RYA/MCA yachtmaster scheme, and is legally required to use a radio at sea. The course is beneficial to familiarise you with use of VHF-DSC radio operation for both normal and distress situations. In addition the course outlines the features of the GMDSS (global maritime distress and safety system).

Cost:  The cost for the one day course is £75. This includes the training, the RYA G22 VHF radio booklet, tea and coffee. The course does not include the RYA certificate charge of £25, or lunch (bring a sandwich).

How to pay: Cash or cheque, (with bankers card payable to Sail North), in advance, (post to W. Clay 33 Montgomery Rd, Sheffield, S7 1LN), or at the start of the course.

Contact: e-mail info@sailnorth.co.uk, or call Bill Clay on 07771652123.

Dates: Course dates are organised on Saturdays according to demand. Typically a course is run every two months

Preparation: If you paid in advance you will be sent the G22 booklet to browse through. It is always useful to become familiar with the phonetic alphabet. Try the questions at the bottom of the page.

Joining Instructions: The course starts 09.00 prompt and concludes at 17.00. Tea, coffee, and lunch break (a maximum, 30 minutes). Sandwiches can be purchased from the late shopper next door).

What to bring: paper and pencil, G22 booklet sent, to you, if you have paid in advance. The course content is broadly as per the RYA book contents, with continual evaluation and a short test at the end.

After the course: Subject to achieving the acceptable standard you will send the, approved application form to the RYA together with a passport size photo, and £25 cheque payable to RYA for the Short Range Certificate charge.

How to get there: The venue is the
HEATHERFIELD CONSERVATIVE CLUB, Totley Rise, Abbeydale Road South, Sheffield.
Follow Abbeydale Road (A627) - past Millhouses park - past Abbeydale Industrial Hamlet - past the Abbeydale Sports Club - Onto the duel carriageway - Through the lights - in 300m some shops on right - immediately some shops on left as the carriageway bends left - The club is immediately there on the left. You have gone 50m too far if the road becomes a single carriageway. There are three or four parking spaces on the left on the main road.

A few questions: VHF radio, How far will it transmit? VHF radio Will it transmit around a hill-side or headland? What channel number would you use to contact the marina for a well earned berth for the night? What is this squelch thing? What are the VHF distress, safety, and calling up channel number? What does Press to Talk PTT mean?

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