The Aim of the RYA Competent Crew (Practical Course)
RYA Competent Crew introduces the complete beginner to cruising and to teach personal safety, seamanship and helmsmanship (steering a boat at different angles to the wind) to the level required to be a useful member of the crew of a cruising yacht.
RYA Competent Crew Syllabus
Knowledge of sea terms and parts of the boat, her rigging and sails.
Sufficient knowledge to understand orders concerning the sailing and day to day running of the boat.
Sail handling
Bending on, setting, reefing and handling of sails. Use of sheets and halyards and their associated winches.
Ropework
Handling ropes, including coiling, stowing, securing to cleats and single and double bollards. Handling warps. Ability to tie the following knots and know their correct use: figure of eight, clove hitch, rolling hitch, bowline, round turn and two half hitches, single and double sheet bend, reef knot.
Fire precautions and fighting.
Awareness of the hazards of fire and the precautions necessary to prevent fire. Knowledge of the action taken in the event of fire.
Personal safety equipment
Understands and complies with the rules for wearing of safety harnesses, lifejackets and personal buoyancy aids.
Man overboard
Understands the action to be taken to recover a man overboard.
Emergency equipment
Can operate distress flares and knows how they should be used. Understands how to launch and board a liferaft.
Manners and customs
Understands the accepted practice with regard to: use of burgees and ensigns, prevention of unnecessary noise or disturbance in harbour including courtesies to other craft berthed alongside. Aware of the responsibility of yacht skippers to protect the environment.
Rules of the Road
Is able to keep an efficient lookout at sea.
Dinghies
Understands and complies with loading rules. Is able to handle a dinghy under oars.
Meteorology
Awareness of forecasting and the Beaufort Scale.
Seasickness
Understanding the potential impact of seasickness on a crew member’s ability to work efficiently and safely, and understanding its potential causes and some remedial measures that can be taken. Note that being affected by seasickness in no way prevents you from successfully completing the Competent Crew course.
Helmsmanship and Sailing.
Understands the basic principles of sailing and can steer and trim sails on all points of sailing. Can steer a compass course, under sail and motor.
General duties
Has carried out general duties satisfactorily on deck and below decks in connection with the daily routine of the vessel.
