RYA Ocean Yachtmaster Shorebased Course Syllabus
This is a course in astro-navigation and worldwide meteorology which also reveals the mysteries of the sextant. It assumes a knowledge of all subjects covered in the other shorebased courses.
The Earth and the Celestial Sphere
Definition of observer’s zenith and position of a heavenly body in terms of latitude, longitude, GHA and declination
Right angle relationships, latitude and co-lat, declination and polar distance
Relationship between GHA, longitude and LHA
Tabulation of declination in nautical almanac
Rate of increase of hour angle with time
The PZX Triangle
The tabulated components of the triangle, LHA, co-lat and polar distance
The calculable components, zenith distance and azimuth
Relationship between zenith distance and altitude
Introduction to the tabular method of solution in the Air Navigation Tables and the basic sight form
The use of calculators for the solution of the PZX triangle
The Sextant
Practical guide to the use and care of a sextant at sea
Conversion of sextant altitude to true altitude
Application of dip, index error and refraction
Correction of side error, perpendicularity, index error and collimation error
Communications
Satellite and terrestrial systems
Weather information
Measurement of Time
Definition of, and relationship between, UT, LMT, standard time and zone time
Rating of chronometers and watches
Meridian Altitudes
Forecasting time of meridian altitude
Reduction of meridian altitude sights
Sun, Star and other Sights
Reduction and plotting of sun sights using Air Navigation Tables
Awareness of use of calculator for sight reduction
The plotting of sun-run-sun meridian altitude
Awareness of the reduction and plotting of sights obtained from stars, moon and planets
Compass Checking
Use of amplitude and azimuth tables systems and/or calculator
Satellite Navigation Systems
Principles and limitations of use of all systems
Great Circle Sailing
Comparison of rhumb lines and great circles
Vertices and composite tracks
The computation of a series of rhumb lines approximating to a great circle by use of gnomonic and Mercator projections
Meteorology
General pressure distribution and prevailing winds over the oceans of the world
Tropical revolving storms, seasonal occurrence and forecasting by observation
Passage Planning
Publications available to assist with planning of long passages (routeing charts, ocean passages of the world and other publications)
Preparation for ocean passage including survival equipment, victualling, water and fuel management, chafe protection, spares and maintenance
Passage Making
Navigational routine
Watchkeeping
Crew management
