BSAC Chartwork c.f. RYA Day Skipper Theory

[Steve Walker]

AIUI, the BSAC Chartwork SDC is a two-day, non-assessed, theory only event (ie no dives involved) which "provides an introduction to the art of marine chartwork and tidal predictions." and ".....is aimed at instructing members in the basic techniques of marine navigation"

So I was surprised to find that the RYA Day Skipper Theory course I recently completed, after approx 50 hours tuition (2 hours per week for almost six months) including two 1.5 hour exams, is not considered an equivalent course for SALT requirements unless you have taken "Day Skipper Practical".

If anyone has experience of both, I'd be interested to know what's covered in "Chartwork" that is omitted from "Day Skipper Theory" course.

Cheers
Steve W

[terryh]

AIUI, the BSAC Chartwork SDC is a two-day, non-assessed, theory only event (ie no dives involved) which "provides an introduction to the art of marine chartwork and tidal predictions." and ".....is aimed at instructing members in the basic techniques of marine navigation"

So I was surprised to find that the RYA Day Skipper Theory course I recently completed, after approx 50 hours tuition (2 hours per week for almost six months) including two 1.5 hour exams, is not considered an equivalent course for SALT requirements unless you have taken "Day Skipper Practical".

If anyone has experience of both, I'd be interested to know what's covered in "Chartwork" that is omitted from "Day Skipper Theory" course.

Cheers
Steve W

I think it's simply a case of not having any practical.
<a href="http://www.bsac.org/techserv/syllabus/chartposnfixsyl.htm" >http://www.bsac.org/techserv/syllabus/chartposnfixsyl.htm</a>

You have 5hrs on day 2 of CPF, none in RYA.
Hence Day Skipper Practical.

HTH
TerryH

[Steve Walker]

Cheers Terry, that makes perfect sense, I hadn't spotted the practical side of the CPF when looking around,

[John Williams]

AIUI, the BSAC Chartwork SDC is a two-day, non-assessed, theory only event (ie no dives involved) which "provides an introduction to the art of marine chartwork and tidal predictions." and ".....is aimed at instructing members in the basic techniques of marine navigation"

So I was surprised to find that the RYA Day Skipper Theory course I recently completed, after approx 50 hours tuition (2 hours per week for almost six months) including two 1.5 hour exams, is not considered an equivalent course for SALT requirements unless you have taken "Day Skipper Practical".

If anyone has experience of both, I'd be interested to know what's covered in "Chartwork" that is omitted from "Day Skipper Theory" course.

Cheers
Steve W

The essential diffeence is simply that the RYA Day Skipper Theory is 100% theory. The theory involved is FAR in excess of that covered by the CPF SDC.

However the second day of the CPF is almost entirely practical (in Yorkshire Region we do the last bit of theory on the Saturday so that we can devote 100% of Sunday to practical training)

Without a practical elelment to the RYA Day Skipper it misses out some essential aspects of the CPF SDC.

This is why it is not equivalent.

As an aside it was not until I did some practical navigation following my Day Skipper Theory that the whole subject "came to life" for me. Having taught the CPF SDC on a number of occasions I have had many RYA qualified people claim the same "enlightenment" at the end of the CPF.

One of the things I do try to do though is to give credit for previous work where it is due, and hopefully others will do the same thing too - in order to utilise your ecknowledged expertise and to get you involved. Anyone who is a BSAC NQI and has done the RYA course but not any practical can be invited to participate in the teaching of theory on Saturday and then observe the practical on the Sunday and then receive a logbook endorsement confirming equivalent training that counts towards the Seamanship Specialist award.

HTH


John

[Steve Walker]

One of the things I do try to do though is to give credit for previous work where it is due, and hopefully others will do the same thing too - in order to utilise your ecknowledged expertise and to get you involved. Anyone who is a BSAC NQI and has done the RYA course but not any practical can be invited to participate in the teaching of theory on Saturday and then observe the practical on the Sunday and then receive a logbook endorsement confirming equivalent training that counts towards the Seamanship Specialist award.

HTH


John

Cheers for the extra info John, that's good to know
Steve

[Mike Halligan]

One of the things I do try to do though is to give credit for previous work where it is due, and hopefully others will do the same thing too - in order to utilise your ecknowledged expertise and to get you involved. Anyone who is a BSAC NQI and has done the RYA course but not any practical can be invited to participate in the teaching of theory on Saturday and then observe the practical on the Sunday and then receive a logbook endorsement confirming equivalent training that counts towards the Seamanship Specialist award.

John,

May I add my wholehearted support of your view, please?

As things worked out, I did RYA Adv Powerboat to bring my RYA Day Skipper up to BSAC CPF standard. Adv PB is a 2-day assessment of theoretical and practical skills (not a course) and it really shows the tremendous value of the CPF format.

Both BSAC CPF and RYA Adv PB should be treated with respect and a deal of practice put in before undertaking either.

Regards,

Mike

[hazey]

Can you confirm if I got this right. I am currently an NQI and hold day skipper theory. Does this mean to get my chartwork SDC sticker I can skip the theory classes and only to the practical? And indead help out with the SDC theory teaching?

[John Williams]

Can you confirm if I got this right. I am currently an NQI and hold day skipper theory. Does this mean to get my chartwork SDC sticker I can skip the theory classes and only to the practical? And indead help out with the SDC theory teaching?

In theory ...yes!

But since the practical day is to designed put into practice the theoretical plans you made during the theory day...the correct answer is "No!" (since you wont have created the plans to put into practice unless you attend the theory day)

However - you can attend the theory sessions in an instructional capacity and join in the practical sessions the following day as an Observing Instructor to get the practical experience necessary to gain equivalence (and a SALT sticker or exemptions allowing you to claim the Seamanship Specialist awad).
This is my impression of the system and I have seen it work that way too!

You can only get the actual BSAC CPF logbook sticker if you do the complete BSAC CPF course as a student.

I do not have a CPF sticker in my book since I hold the RYA Day Skipper Theory ticket and did my practical navigation aboard HMS Striker whilst serving with the Liverpool University Royal Naval Unit (amongst other practical expeditions afloat). Hoewever I do hold the BSAC Seamanship Award since I have proven training to the required equivalent standards in all required elements.

John