£450.00 per person, 5 day course

Aim of course: To enable the student to skipper a cruising yacht in waters that are familiar to you.

Pre Course Requirements: In order to complete this course the student will need to have completed 10 days, 200 miles and 8 night hours. Half of these are normally completed on the course.


Practical certificates may be awarded irrespective of whether the candidate holds a certificate of satisfactory completion for a shorebased theory course. However, the possession of the shorebased course completion certificate will greatly enhance the value of the practical course as the instructor will be able to concentrate on the practical aspects of the syllabus.

Course syllabus

Preparation for sea
Is able to prepare a yacht for sea, including engine checks, selection of sails, securing and stowage of all gear on deck and below.

Deck work
Can set sails according to prevailing conditions (reefing). Can prepare an anchor, mooring warps and take charge on deck when mooring, weighing anchor and slipping from buoys and berths.

Navigation
Is proficient in chartwork and routine navigational duties on passage including; taking and plotting fixes, working up DR and EP, estimating tidal heights and tidal streams, working out course to steer to allow for tidal stream, leeway and drift, has knowledge of IALA buoyage and can execute a pilotage plan for entry into or departure from harbour. Understands the use of leading and clearing lines, transits and soundings for aids to pilotage.

Meteorology
Knows sources of forecasts, interpretation of shipping forecasts and use a barometer as a forecasting aid.

Rules of the road
Has a working knowledge of the application of the International Regulations for preventing collisions at sea.

Maintenance and repair work
Understands and is able to carry out maintenance tasks. Knows the properties and uses of common synthetic fibre rope.

Victualling
Understands how to victual a yacht.

 
Emergency situations
Is able to take correct action as skipper for recovery of man overboard. Fully understands distress flares and how to use a liferaft. Can operate a radiotelephone in an emergency and send a distress message. Understands how to secure a tow. Understands rescue procedures including helicopter rescue

Engines
Knows how to change fuel and water filters, pump impeller and bleed fuel system.

Yacht handling under power
Can bring a boat safely to and from an alongside berth, mooring buoy and anchor under various conditions of wind and tide.

Yacht handling under sail
Can bring a boat safely to and from a mooring buoy and anchor under various conditions of wind and tide. Can steer and trim sails effectively on all points of sailing.

Passage making
Can plan and make a coastal passage, taking account of relevant navigational hazards and limitations imposed by the type of boat and the strength of the crew.