RYA Competent Crew

The RYA Competent Crew is a popular course for complete beginners and those who really aspire to be active crew members. For many it is the starting point for their RYA training and a programme that could lead you all the way to an RYA Yachtmaster ™.

The Competent Crew course is a practical, hands-on course. You will be fully involved in:

• Helping to prepare for going to sea
• Sailing the yacht on short passages
• Learning how to steer, handling sails
• Learning ropework
• Tying knots
• Keeping a lookout
• Rowing a dinghy
• Assisting in all the day-to-day duties on board.

Thorough safety training is vital part of the course. Among other things, you will learn about personal safety equipment such as lifejackets and correct clothing, how to deal with emergency situations, how to operate flares, how liferafts are used, and how to assist the recovery of a man overboard.

N.B. We require that all students under 16 are accompanied by an adult. If you are 16 or 17 and wish to book the course unaccompanied by an adult, please contact our office to discuss whether this would be suitable.  

Course Outcomes

• You will experience living on board and really get to know the boat.
• This is a 5 day course enabling you to become fully immersed in life aboard a typical cruising yacht.
• It’s very likely you will spend time with others taking courses such as RYA Day Skipper, and playing a part in helping them to achieve their certificates, at the same time as building your own confidence and knowledge.
• Successful completion leads to the RYA Competent Crew Certificate.