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Coastal Skipper Practical Course Syllabus - Tidal

The aim of the course is to teach the skills and techniques required to skipper a yacht safely on coastal and offshore passages by day and night.

1. Passage planning

· Can plan a coastal passage including a consideration of the capability of the yacht, navigation, victualling, weather, ports of refuge, tidal heights and tidal streams, publications required and strategy

· Knows Customs procedures

2. Preparation for sea

· Is aware of safety equipment required for offshore passages

· Can prepare a yacht for sea including stowage, safety briefing, watch keeping, delegating responsibilities and equipment and engine checks

3. Pilotage

· Can prepare a pilotage plan, with consideration of soundings, transits, clearing bearings, buoyage, port or harbour regulations and tidal considerations

· Can pilot a yacht by day and night

4. Passage making and ability as skipper

· Can take charge of a yacht and direct the crew.

· Can organise the navigation, clockwork and domestic duties of a yacht on passage

· Is aware of the significance of meteorological trends

· Is aware of crew welfare on passage

· Can use electronic navigational equipment for planning and undertaking a passage, including the use of waypoints and routes

5. Yacht handling under power

· Can control the yacht effectively in a confined space under power

· All berthing and unberthing situations in various conditions of wind and tide

6. Yacht handling under sail

· Can use the sails to control the yacht in a confined space