Whether you're preparing for practical training, buying your first boat or planning to cruise with family and friends, this course develops the practical understanding needed to make better decisions on the water.

Designed specifically for beginners, the programme combines traditional seamanship with modern boating techniques. You'll learn navigation, weather, tides, collision regulations, marine communications, boat handling, safety and boat systems, while discovering how today's recreational boaters combine GPS, electronic charts and navigation apps with traditional pilotage and chartwork.

Each of the ten structured modules includes clear explanations, practical examples and interactive quizzes, helping you build confidence before heading out on the water or progressing to practical training.

Want to see exactly what's covered? Expand the FAQ below to explore the ten course modules and discover what you'll learn in each.

• Ten structured online modules covering the essential knowledge needed to become a safe and confident boater.
• Study at your own pace with 12 months' access from any computer, tablet or smartphone.
• Engaging lessons featuring diagrams, practical examples and quizzes to reinforce your learning.
• Downloadable reference materials and a Flying Fish Certificate of Completion.

• No previous boating experience required – suitable for complete beginners.
• Build a solid understanding before taking practical training or heading out on the water.
• Study whenever it suits you with 12 months' online access from enrolment.

Continue your boating journey with:

• RYA Competent Crew – Develop practical sailing skills and gain confidence crewing aboard a yacht.
• RYA Day Skipper Practical – Learn to skipper a yacht safely under the guidance of an experienced instructor.
• RYA Yachtmaster Theory – Develop advanced navigation, pilotage and passage planning skills. Many students find this course provides sufficient preparation to progress directly to Yachtmaster Theory without first attending RYA Day Skipper Theory.
• RYA Powerboat Level 2 or the NSW Boat Licence – Ideal if your interests are in powerboating, day boating or recreational boat ownership.

Whether your goal is sailing holidays, buying your first boat or becoming a confident skipper, Essential Boating Skills & Knowledge provides the knowledge, skills and confidence to take your next step on the water.

• What modules are included in the course?
  • The course is divided into ten practical online modules that progressively build the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to become a safer and more capable boater:
  • Getting started on the water – Learn about different types of recreational boats, how they work, the basic parts of a boat, what actually happens when a boat moves, the effects of wind, current and engines, what to expect on your first trip, and how to communicate safely onboard.
  • Safety, risk and emergency management – Learn how to stay safe on the water, including clothing and equipment, hydration, fatigue management, situational awareness, common beginner mistakes, lifejackets, PLBs, AIS, EPIRBs, man overboard recovery, fire, flooding, engine failure and emergency communications.
  • Marine communication – Understand how marine VHF radio works, when and how to make Mayday and Pan Pan calls, and who to contact in different situations.
  • The rules of the road – Learn the Collision Regulations (COLREGs) you'll use most often, including give-way and stand-on rules, lights and shapes, collision avoidance, identifying vessels at night, and when power gives way to sail—and when it doesn't.
  • Practical navigation – Develop practical navigation skills using both traditional charts and modern electronic navigation. Learn GPS, electronic charts, pilotage, chart symbols, buoyage, position awareness and how to use navigation apps to plan safe coastal passages.
  • Weather forecasts and decision making – Learn how to interpret forecasts from the BOM, Windy and PredictWind, understand wind, swell, sea breezes, fronts and squalls, recognise deteriorating conditions early, and make sound go/no-go decisions.
  • Tides and currents – Understand how tides and currents affect real boating, including depth under the keel, harbour entrances, rivers, bar crossings, local tidal effects and safe use of your depth sounder.
  • Boat handling – Learn the fundamentals of handling boats in confined spaces, including marinas and docks, entering harbours safely, anchoring, and the key differences between handling sailing yachts and powerboats.
  • Trip planning – Bring everything together by learning how to plan a safe day on the water, considering weather, tides, crew, passage planning, risk assessment and practical decision making before leaving the dock.
  • Responsible and legal boating – Understand your legal responsibilities as a recreational boater, environmental awareness, responsible anchoring, local boating regulations and the principles of good seamanship.
• How long does the course take?
  • Most students complete the course in approximately 12–16 hours.
  • Study at your own pace from any computer, tablet or smartphone, with 12 months' access to revisit the material whenever you need.
• Can I go straight to RYA Yachtmaster Theory after completing this course?
  • Yes. For many students, this course provides an excellent foundation before progressing directly to RYA Yachtmaster Theory without first completing a classroom-based RYA Day Skipper Theory course.
  • If your goal is practical boating rather than advanced navigation, you can also progress directly to RYA Competent Crew, RYA Day Skipper Practical, RYA Powerboat Level 2 or the NSW Boat Licence.
• Will I be ready to skipper a boat?
  • This course develops the knowledge, judgement and confidence needed to become a safer and more capable recreational skipper.
  • Practical experience on the water is still essential, but you'll arrive at your practical training with a much stronger understanding of what you're doing, why you're doing it and how to make better decisions.
• Will I receive a certificate?
  • Yes. You'll receive a Flying Fish Certificate of Completion after successfully completing the course.