With no previous sailing experience necessary, the RYA Competent Crew course is an ideal introduction to yachting. Over 5 days, you will learn how to steer a yacht, put up the sails and handle them, become familiar with nautical terms and learn how to live on a yacht, among other things.

In sailing, safety is of utmost importance, which is why you will also learn how to assist in the recovery of a sailor overboard, operate flares and use lifejackets, harnesses and life rafts. 

You will also sail over 100 nautical miles, enjoy at least 4 night hours’ sailing and visit many of the harbours and anchorages of the Cape area. The training you receive will ensure that you can function as a confident and competent member of any sailing crew.

As an aspiring skipper, 2 Oceans Maritime Academy will introduce you to the fundamentals necessary to take a yacht to sea. You will be taught basic navigation and pilotage, which includes chart work, position fixing, plotting a course to steer, weather forecasting, understanding tides and the international regulations for preventing collisions at sea. 

You will also learn about the parts of a yacht, emergency and safety equipment, points of sail and the theory of sailing. The RYA Day Skipper Theory course is conducted at our 2 Oceans Academy training Centre close to the Hout Bay Harbour, Chapman’s Peak and a short walk from the beach. All RYA course material will be supplied.

Taking charge of a yacht can be a daunting yet highly rewarding experience. Under the guidance of our expert instructors, you will gain the knowledge and hands-on experience you need to confidently skipper a yacht in a variety of sailing conditions.

By completing short passages as skipper, each student practices weather forecasting, victualling, engine maintenance, sail selection, passage planning, watch keeping, navigation, pilotage and importantly boat handling under power and sail.

On completion, you will receive an RYA Day Skipper Course Completion Certificate. If you then wish to sit a South African Sailing assessment you may do so. This would entitle you to a Certificate of Competence that allows you to skipper a yacht along the coast of South Africa in daylight hours.

This advanced course in navigation and meteorology is perfect for those who are working towards taking the Coastal Skipper or Yachtmaster offshore exam. It is also ideal for those wishing to skipper a yacht on longer coastal passages.

Navigation aspects of the course include position fixing, course shaping and plotting, tidal knowledge and the use of Almanacs, Admiralty publications and electronic position finding equipment (GPS).

The meteorology section includes the taking and interpretation of forecasts, plotting of weather systems and weather prediction by observation and using a barometer. 

International Regulations for Prevention of Collision at Sea is covered in detail and time is invested in learning how to apply this information when planning and executing passage plans.

During this practical course you will be guided through navigation – both offshore and in limited visibility conditions. You will also learn advanced weather forecasting and passage planning in addition to watch-keeping and preparation for sea. Each student will have an opportunity to plan and execute passages while taking complete command of the yacht. 

At the end of the course, your instructor will give you a thorough debrief session, which will assist you in further developing your skippering ability and confidence.

The programme takes place in the tidal waters of Saldanha Bay and Langebaan Lagoon and includes advanced skippering and boat handling techniques in preparation for the Royal Yachting Association exams. It includes navigation, pilotage, man overboard recovery and overall confident yacht management skills.

2 Oceans Maritime Academy ensures that each and every one of our candidates is fully prepared and confident to complete the RYA/MCA practical exams. With an early appraisal of a candidate’s current performance and knowledge base, the instructor (a licensed Yachtmaster Instructor) will then structure the week to address any areas of potential weakness. The focus of this 5-day course is to ensure that candidates are well-positioned to successfully demonstrate a variety of skippering techniques to meet an examiner’s requirements. 

Concentrated time is spent on MOB drills, boat handling under sail and power and commanding a yacht on passages during the day and at night. Other subjects include passage planning and weather, preparation and safety at sea, maintenance, navigation, pilotage and thorough knowledge of the international Collision Regulations. 

Learn the basics of marine radio operation, frequencies, distress, emergency and medical assistance procedures, making ship to shore telephone calls, Digital Selective Calling, Global Maritime Distress Safety System. The RYA Short Range Certificate (or similar) is also a requirement for all the RYA Yachtmaster Certificates of Competence.