Independent sailing theory revision with boating questions, navigation tools and course guidance for the country system you are learning.
Independent guidance · one-off course pricing · free planning tools · private Compass Passport
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Sailing theory subjects
Start with a plain-language guide or go straight to the maintained question library, interactive tools and course finder.
Start with the outcome
Choose a real-world goal. Compass will keep courses, practical training and your private record in the right order.
Build basic knowledge and get useful time aboard before choosing a skipper route.
Build this routeUnderstand the boat, safety routines and practical decisions that make you useful aboard.
Build this routeConnect Day Skipper theory, practical training and an honest record of experience.
Build this routeTurn theory into a focused preparation list before joining a practical course.
Build this routeLearn VHF and DSC procedure, then confirm the current course and exam arrangement.
Build this routeBuild a route through theory, practical evidence, radio and operator checks.
Build this routeStart with five free lessons in boat directions, lines, wind and helping safely. About 15 minutes, no account needed.
Find my course
Three short questions. No email and no obligation.
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Product tour
This working, course-specific sample uses the same three primary steps and feedback timing as the revision app: learn the idea, use Practise for immediate help, then Test at the end.
Open the full free moduleLearn · teaching first
From Nautical Terms
What you will learn
Identify the vessel's port and starboard sides from any position aboard and relate them to navigation sidelights without confusing buoyage regions.
Port and starboard are fixed sides of the vessel: port is left and starboard is right when you face the bow.
When facing forward, the left side of the boat is port and the right side is starboard. Navigation sidelights are red to port and green to starboard. Lateral buoy colours are jurisdiction-specific: the UK uses IALA Region A, where port-hand marks are red and starboard-hand marks are green in the direction of buoyage; Region B reverses those lateral colours.
A useful mnemonic: 'port' and 'left' both have four letters. Another: 'Is there any RED PORT LEFT in the bottle?'
Interpret an instruction from anywhere aboard
You are standing in the cockpit facing the stern when someone reports a fender dragging on the starboard side. The vessel's starboard side has not changed just because you turned around.
Sense check: A vessel's port sidelight remains red worldwide; IALA Region A or B changes lateral-mark colours, not the vessel's sidelights.
Common mistake
Port and starboard belong to the vessel and do not swap when a crew member faces aft.
Recap
Flashcards, audio and interactive tools remain optional support inside the module; they do not replace the Learn → Practise → Test route.
What Compass is
What it is not
Compass helps you understand, recall and practice theory. A recognised training organisation provides formal tuition, practical coaching, assessment arrangements and its own entry requirements. We are independent and do not imply RYA approval.
How we research and review contentFree practical prep
A short no-login quiz for Region A marks, safe-side decisions, and night light sequences. It is a useful warm-up before Day Skipper practical, Essential Navigation, or pilotage revision.
Start free buoyage quiz
Watch the light
Practice the link between the card, the topmark, and the rhythm you expect to see at night.
Free docking practice
Practice the decisions that happen before a Day Skipper practical: fenders, first line ashore, approach angle, wind, tide, prop walk, and when to go around.
Free signal flags course
Practice Alfa to Zulu, the plain yellow Quebec flag, NC distress, substitute flags, hoist reading, and the shareable name speller.
NC distress, diver down, man overboard, and the yellow Quebec flag all in one free course.
Compass Conversations audiobook
Ten practical conversations about passage planning, tides, weather, buoyage, collision avoidance and marine radio. Pause with Maya, make the decision, then hear Ben work through the practical reasoning.
Written by Richard Moore
Independent revision support, not a pilotage guide or recognised course. The fictional passage uses IALA Region A lateral buoyage; learners in Region B should keep their local buoyage guidance separate.
Source-reviewed guides
Use these sailing, navigation, and radio explainers to understand the decision, check the primary sources, and continue into focused practice.
Weather and tides
Learn why wind against a tidal stream can produce short, steep waves, where the effect becomes most important, and how to plan around it.
3 min readCourse decisions
Understand what shorebased Day Skipper theory teaches, what practical training develops on the boat, and how independent revision supports both.
3 min readStart sailing
Understand common sailing instructions and how to confirm a task before handling lines on an unfamiliar boat.
3 min readCourses by country
UK & International follows RYA syllabus topics. Each country collection uses its own authorities, terminology, aids, units, and currency; Global skills keeps national rules separate.
Compass Revision
RYA syllabus revision
British English revision for learners following RYA theory and specialist syllabus topics in the UK or internationally.
Day Skipper · Coastal Skipper · Yachtmaster Offshore · +11 more
Explore Compass RevisionCompass USA
U.S. sailing study companions
U.S. English companions with U.S. rules, USATONS and IALA Region B context, NOAA sources, and USD pricing.
Basic Keelboat · Coastal Cruising · Bareboat Cruising · +1 more
Explore Compass USACompass Canada
Canadian sailing study companions
Canadian English companions with Canadian regulations, aids, CHS conventions, mixed units, and CAD pricing.
Basic Cruising · Basic Coastal Navigation · Intermediate Cruising · +3 more
Explore Compass CanadaCompass New Zealand
New Zealand boating study companions
New Zealand English companions for Day Skipper, Maritime VHF, and Boatmaster knowledge, using local rules, IALA Region A, and NZD pricing.
NZ Day Skipper · NZ Maritime VHF · NZ Boatmaster
Explore Compass New ZealandCompass Ireland
Irish sailing pathways
Irish entry guidance and EUR offers around relevant existing RYA-aligned courses, with local qualification, radio, and ICC boundaries.
Day Skipper · Coastal Skipper · Yachtmaster Offshore · +6 more
Explore Compass IrelandCompass Australia
Australian boating study companions
Australian Marine Radio preparation with distinct AWQ and SROCP tracks, plus a free NSW licence-readiness pilot.
Australian Marine Radio
Explore Compass AustraliaCompass Global
Worldwide boating skills
International COLREGs, racing-rules, and electronic-navigation companions with explicit national-rule boundaries and regional pricing.
COLREGs · Racing Rules · Electronic Navigation
Explore Compass GlobalCompass South Africa
South African skipper-ticket pilot
Free pathway guidance, readiness testing, and school interest validation before any paid South African companion is considered.
Free readiness tools and qualification guidance
Explore Compass South AfricaDay Skipper Theory
Core navigation, chartwork, tides, COLREGs, weather, pilotage, and passage planning revision for Day Skipper students.
3 free modules · full access £4.99
Coastal Skipper Theory
For sailors progressing after Day Skipper into advanced coastal passage-making, pilotage, night navigation, tidal gates, weather, and skipper-level planning.
3 free modules · full access £7.99
Yachtmaster Theory
Includes the complete Coastal foundation, then adds Yachtmaster Coastal/Offshore oral-style scenarios, command decisions, and assessment-level passage planning.
3 free modules · full access £9.99
Marine Radio Revision
Marine Radio SRC and VHF Radio revision with channels, DSC, MMSI, GMDSS, Mayday, Pan-Pan, Securite, and call scenarios.
3 free modules · full access £12.99
Essential Navigation Revision
Beginner boating theory revision for new skippers, crew, first-boat buyers, RIB users, and anyone not ready for full Day Skipper theory.
2 free modules · full access £4.99
IALA A Buoyage Revision
Short visual revision course for IALA Region A buoyage recognition, lateral marks, cardinal marks, topmarks, light rhythms, and mixed drill practice.
1 free module · full access £2.99
CEVNI Revision
Exam-style revision for European inland waterway signs, rules, lights, sound signals, and ICC inland validation context.
2 free modules · full access £9.99
Marine Radar Revision
Radar revision for small craft navigation, collision avoidance, restricted visibility, plotting, controls, and radar-pilotage decisions.
2 free modules · full access £12.99
Marine Diesel Revision
Diesel engine revision for boat owners and skippers covering basic operation, checks, maintenance, spares, and troubleshooting.
2 free modules · full access £12.99
First Aid at Sea Revision
Revision for boating first-aid topics: emergency response, CPR and drowning, cold shock, hypothermia, bleeding, seasickness, VHF medical advice, and helicopter rescue.
2 free modules · full access £9.99
Sea Survival Revision
Sea survival revision for lifejackets, liferafts, abandoning ship, cold water, emergency signalling, search and rescue, and survival priorities.
2 free modules · full access £9.99
Yachtmaster Ocean Revision
Premium revision for Yachtmaster Ocean theory, astro navigation, sextant use, sun sights, worldwide meteorology, tropical revolving storms, and ocean passage planning.
2 free modules · full access £19.99
PPR Revision Companion
PPR revision companion for commercial endorsement candidates covering professional responsibilities, vessel management, risk control, operating procedures, and compliance judgement.
2 free modules · full access £12.99
Powerboat ICC Prep
Powerboat and ICC preparation for Level 2 background knowledge, safety checks, close-quarters handling concepts, man overboard, anchoring, COLREGs, buoyage, and short passages.
2 free modules · full access £9.99
Compass USA Basic Keelboat
Independent U.S. knowledge preparation for beginning keelboat sailors, using American terminology, USATONS/IALA Region B, and federal safety context.
1 free module · full access $29
Compass USA Basic Coastal Cruising
Independent U.S. coastal-cruising knowledge preparation for larger auxiliary-powered sailboats, systems, anchoring, docking, weather, navigation, and emergencies.
1 free module · full access $39
Compass USA Bareboat Cruising
Independent U.S. bareboat-cruising knowledge preparation for multi-day charter planning, leadership, systems, navigation, weather, and contingencies.
1 free module · full access $49
Compass USA Coastal Navigation
Independent U.S. coastal-navigation preparation using NOAA sources, original plotting problems, and explicit certification boundaries.
1 free module · full access $59
Compass Canada Basic Cruising
Independent Canadian preparation for basic cruising terminology, sailing decisions, Canadian rules and aids, safety, weather, and skipper responsibilities.
1 free module · full access $24.99
Compass Canada Basic Coastal Navigation
Independent Canadian coastal-navigation preparation using original fictional charts, CHS terminology, metric soundings, tides, currents, pilotage, and passage planning.
1 free module · full access $39.99
Compass Canada Intermediate Cruising
Independent Canadian preparation for liveaboard coastal cruising, larger-yacht systems, navigation, weather, leadership, and bareboat decision-making.
1 free module · full access $34.99
Compass Canada ROC(M)
Independent Canadian VHF and DSC preparation for ROC(M) knowledge and spoken-call practice, with certificate and examiner boundaries kept explicit.
1 free module · full access $19.99
Compass Canada Intermediate Coastal Navigation
Independent advanced Canadian coastal-navigation preparation for current, leeway, intermediate tides, fixes, night pilotage, and longer passages.
1 free module · full access $49.99
Compass Canada Advanced Cruising
Independent advanced Canadian preparation for sail theory, weather, stability, heavy weather, systems, night navigation, emergencies, and extended coastal command.
1 free module · full access $49.99
Compass New Zealand Day Skipper
Independent New Zealand boating preparation for equipment, handling, charts, weather, IALA Region A, Part 91, emergencies, and trip planning.
1 free module · full access $39.99
Compass New Zealand Maritime VHF
Independent MVOC-aligned VHF knowledge and spoken-call practice with DSC and SSB explicitly excluded from the product.
1 free module · full access $29.99
Compass New Zealand Boatmaster
Independent New Zealand Boatmaster preparation for emergencies, chartwork, rules, weather, stability, handling, and passage command.
1 free module · full access $59.99
Day Skipper Theory
Core navigation, chartwork, tides, COLREGs, weather, pilotage, and passage planning revision for Day Skipper students.
3 free modules · full access £4.99
Coastal Skipper Theory
For sailors progressing after Day Skipper into advanced coastal passage-making, pilotage, night navigation, tidal gates, weather, and skipper-level planning.
3 free modules · full access £7.99
Yachtmaster Theory
Includes the complete Coastal foundation, then adds Yachtmaster Coastal/Offshore oral-style scenarios, command decisions, and assessment-level passage planning.
3 free modules · full access £9.99
Marine Radio Revision
Marine Radio SRC and VHF Radio revision with channels, DSC, MMSI, GMDSS, Mayday, Pan-Pan, Securite, and call scenarios.
3 free modules · full access £12.99
CEVNI Revision
Exam-style revision for European inland waterway signs, rules, lights, sound signals, and ICC inland validation context.
2 free modules · full access £9.99
Powerboat ICC Prep
Powerboat and ICC preparation for Level 2 background knowledge, safety checks, close-quarters handling concepts, man overboard, anchoring, COLREGs, buoyage, and short passages.
2 free modules · full access £9.99
Sea Survival Revision
Sea survival revision for lifejackets, liferafts, abandoning ship, cold water, emergency signalling, search and rescue, and survival priorities.
2 free modules · full access £9.99
First Aid at Sea Revision
Revision for boating first-aid topics: emergency response, CPR and drowning, cold shock, hypothermia, bleeding, seasickness, VHF medical advice, and helicopter rescue.
2 free modules · full access £9.99
Marine Radar Revision
Radar revision for small craft navigation, collision avoidance, restricted visibility, plotting, controls, and radar-pilotage decisions.
2 free modules · full access £12.99
Compass Global COLREGs
International COLREGs decisions, lights, shapes, sound signals, and mixed scenarios with national-rule boundaries kept explicit.
1 free module · full access £14.99
Compass Global Racing Rules
Original visual preparation for the 2025–2028 racing-rules cycle, including right-of-way, limitations, mark-room, penalties, protests, and race signals.
1 free module · full access £19.99
Compass Global Electronic Navigation
GPS, electronic charts, routes, AIS, CPA/TCPA, alarms, cross-checking, and degraded-navigation decisions for boat owners and charterers.
1 free module · full access £29.99
After revision
Compass can help you move from theory into practical training, qualifications, and a first charter, with a clear route you can save and revisit.
See the free Compass PassportSelf-declared and private. No certificate scans or public profile; you stay in control of what you share.
The sites share the same learning engine, account system, progress tools, and topic structure.
Access is course-specific across the network. The deliberate exception is the shared advanced route: Yachtmaster includes the Coastal foundation and adds a distinct assessment layer with oral-style scenarios and command decisions, so nobody needs to buy the overlapping material twice.
Start on the site for the certificate or theory level you are studying, then move across the network when your training changes.
Compare national course collections and worldwide skills without mixing authorities, rules, units, prices, or qualification boundaries.
