Nautical Nautical Terms
Parts of a boat and hull, general nautical terminology.

Ropework
Knowledge of the properties of synthetic ropes in common use. Ability to make, and knowledge of the use of: figure of eight, bowline, clove hitch, reef knot, single and double sheet bend, rolling hitch, round turn and two half hitches. Securing to cleats, use of winches and general rope handling.

Anchorwork
Characteristics of different types of anchor, considerations to be taken into account when anchoring.

Safety
Knowledge of the safety equipment to be carried, its stowage and use. Fire precautions and fire fighting. Use of personal safety equipment, harnesses and lifejackets. Ability to send a distress signal by VHF radiotelephone. Basic knowledge of rescue procedures including helicopter rescue.

International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea
Steering and sailing rules and general rules.

Definition of position, course and speed
Latitude and longitude. Knowledge of standard navigational terms. True bearings and courses. The knot.

Navigational charts
Information shown on charts, chart symbols and representation of direction and distance. Navigational publications in common use. Chart correction.

Navigational drawing instruments
Use of parallel rulers, dividers and proprietary plotting instruments.

Compasses
Application of variation and deviation. Use of transits and comparison to check deviation. Importance of swinging compass. Use of hand bearing compass. Siting of steering compass.

Chartwork
Working up position from course steered, distance run and estimates of leeway and set.

Position Fixing
Sources of position lines. Potential accuracy of fixing methods.

Tides and tidal streams
Tidal definitions, levels and data. Tide tables, standard and secondary port. Use of Admiralty method of determining tidal height from standard port. Use of tidal diamonds and tidal stream atlases for chartwork.

Visual aids to navigation
Lighthouses and beacons, light characteristics.

Passage Planning
Preparation of navigational plan for short coastal passages.

Navigation in restricted visibility
Precautions to be taken and limitations imposed by fog.

Meteorology
Sources of broadcast meteorological information. Knowledge of terms used in shipping forecasts, including the Beaufort scale, and their significance to small craft.

Pilotage
Use of transits, leading lines and clearing lines. IALA system of buoyage for Region A. Use of sailing directions