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RYA Basic Sea Survival Course
The RYA Basic Sea Survival Course from BOSS Sailing provides essential offshore safety and emergency training for sailors, motor cruisers, offshore crew and racing teams. Designed to prepare students for real emergency situations at sea, the course combines classroom instruction with practical pool-based survival exercises focused on improving confidence, preparedness and safety awareness offshore.
The course covers the use of liferafts, lifejackets, distress signals, search and rescue procedures, helicopter rescue techniques and emergency equipment commonly carried aboard modern cruising and racing yachts. Students also learn how to respond effectively to emergencies such as fire, flooding, abandon ship situations and man overboard incidents.
Widely recognised throughout the sailing industry, the RYA Basic Sea Survival certificate is recommended for offshore sailors and often required for offshore racing events, Yachtmaster preparation and commercial endorsements.
Delivered by BOSS Sailing, an established RYA Recognised Training Centre based at Hamble Point Marina, the course provides realistic practical training designed to help sailors respond calmly and effectively during offshore emergencies while improving overall onboard safety awareness.
Itinerary
Throughout the course students will develop practical knowledge and understanding of:
- Liferaft deployment and boarding
- Lifejacket use and maintenance
- Search and rescue procedures
- Distress flares and signals
- Offshore emergency procedures
- Helicopter rescue techniques
- Fire precautions and firefighting
- Flooding and damage control
- Man overboard awareness
- Survival techniques in the water
- Emergency communications
- Safety equipment onboard
Training focuses on realistic emergency response procedures and practical offshore survival skills.
Course Syllabus
The aim of the course is to give an understanding of how to use the safety equipment carried on small boats, including a practical session in launching and boarding a liferaft.
Pre-course knowledge – Nil
- Preparation for sea survival
- Survival difficulties
- Survival requirements
- Equipment available
- Actions prior to abandonment
- Lifejackets and liferafts
- Lifejacket design and construction – correct donning procedure, purpose and use of lifejackets
- Safety harness – purpose in use
- Liferafts – towage and containment on board – types, design and construction, launching – abandoning the vessel and boarding liferaft – righting a capsized liferaft – liferaft equipment – initial actions to be taken in a liferaft
- Principles of survival
- Methods to increase chances of survival
- Signs, symptoms and treatment of hypothermia
- Symptoms, method of treatment for sunburn, heat exhaustion and heatstroke
- Survival routines to aid location
- Correct use of pyrotechnics and other location aids
- Water rationing – procedures
- Dehydration and preventative measures
- Food rationing and sources of food
- Survival craft ailments
- Raft Management
- Azimuth stabilization
- Search and rescue
- Rescue by helicopter or vessel
- Role of HM Coastguard
- UK and International SAR Organisation
- Other services
From: £140
Additional Information
The RYA Basic Sea Survival Course is designed for anyone undertaking offshore sailing, racing or extended coastal cruising.
It is particularly suitable for:
- Offshore sailors
- Yachtmaster candidates
- Racing yacht crew
- Cruising sailors
- Delivery crew
- Motor cruisers
- Commercial endorsement holders
- Crew preparing for offshore passages
The course is suitable for both experienced sailors and newcomers wanting to improve their understanding of offshore emergency procedures and survival techniques.
Everything You Need Before You Sail
Get your joining pack for practical details, what to bring, and what to expect on your course.
FAQs
Find out answers to frequently asked questions
No previous sailing experience is needed. The RYA Competent Crew course is designed for complete beginners, and your instructor will guide you through everything step by step. By the end of the course, you should feel confident helping to sail the yacht, handling ropes, steering and taking part in everyday life on board. All you need to bring is a willingness to learn and get involved. visit our Training or Learn to Sail page for skill‑level requirements.
We recommend comfortable clothing, non‑slip shoes, sunscreen, and any personal items you may need. A full checklist is available on our Preparation page.
Our cancellation and refund terms are outlined on the Terms & Conditions page. If you have questions about rescheduling, our Contact page is the best place to get quick assistance.
We provide a range of sailing experiences including private charters, training, and corporate events.
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