The RYA Day Skipper practical course is designed to teach you to sail a yacht safely and confidently in familiar waters. A skipper does a lot more than simply navigate. Skippers are responsible for the safety and wellbeing of the yacht and its crew. These responsibilities include weather forecasting, victualling, engine maintenance, sail selection and handling, passage planning, watch keeping, navigation and pilotage.

There is particular emphasis on boat handling for Day Skippers and during the course you will practice mooring under a range of conditions. Students live aboard Aqua Vitae for the duration of the course and get to visit many different harbours and anchorages to practice pilotage techniques. Like boat handling, this is an essential skill for the aspiring skipper. You will complete at least 4 night hours sailing to experience night pilotage and identify various key lights. This course will also enable you to apply for the ICC (International Certificate of Competence). This qualification is required by most European countries to validate your competence to own or charter a boat.