Strongly recommend doing the RYA courses. They're excellent.
Dayskipper book covers all of the jargon. You could just buy it, it's not expensive. But better yet do the course. It teaches you LOADS about navigation, safety, boat handling, lights and symbols. Rules of the road.
I really enjoyed it.
You're also 'supposed' to do a VHF course to get a licence to be able to use your VHF radio. Most people don't bother. I did. I'm glad I did because talking on the radio petrifies me - but a little bit less than it would if I'd not done the course because I know I'm doing it right. Had a conversation with a warship once, they did not know how to do it right, they ought to be embarrassed! They altered their live firing plans to allow us to pass without changing course as a result of saying the lat/long the wrong way around and other silly radio mistakes. Was funny.
I did the practical RYA 'competent crew' course.
Then the Dayskipper theory course as an internet correspondence thing.
Then went on a week's yachmaster coastal practical course. This I found taught me nothing new on top of what I'd already learned in theory and in practice but it was good fun and a good confidence boost.
Join the RYA for 10% off in some chandlerys and discounts on their books and assistance on legal things if you need them.
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