Day Skipper Syllabus
1. Preparation for Sea
Knowledge:
Can:
The student is proficient in chart work and routine navigation duties on passage including:
Knowledge:
Can:
Understands:
Can:
Knowledge of :
Has a working knowledge of the prevention of common engine faults and is competent is the following areas:
Understands:
Understands:
Understands:
Knowledge of:
Understands:
Knowledge Of:
Knowledge Of:
Knowledge:
- Knowledge of basic stability and buoyancy for small vessels.
- Can prepare a cruising vessel for sea, including engine checks, securing and stowage of all gear on deck and below including selection of sails.
Can:
- The student can prepare an anchor, mooring warps and take charge on deck when mooring alongside, coming to a buoy, anchoring, weighing anchor and slipping from a buoy or an alongside berth.
- Can reef sails, shake out reefs and change sails to suit prevailing conditions.
The student is proficient in chart work and routine navigation duties on passage including:
Knowledge:
- Having a knowledge of the uses and limitations of AIS
- Working a Dead Reckoning (DR and Estimated Position (EP).
- Using a lead line or similar.
- How to work out a course to steer to allow for tidal stream, leeway and drift.
- Taking and plotting visual fixes.
- Use electronic navigation equipment for position fixing.
- Use secondary means of position fixing.
- Use waypoints and routes.
- Use knowledge of IALA buoyage.
- Maintain navigational records.
- Use and echo sounder.
- Estimate tidal heights and tidal streams.
Can:
- Prepare and execute a pilotage plan for entry into, or departure, from harbour.
- Use leading and clearing lines.
- Use transits and soundings as aids to pilotage.
Understands:
- How to interpret shipping forecasts and use a barometer as forecasting aid.
- Source forecast information.
Can:
- Demonstrate a practical understanding of the International Regulations for the Prevention of Collisions at Sea.
Knowledge of :
- The properties and uses of common synthetic fibre ropes.
- Maintenance tasks and is able to carry them out.
Has a working knowledge of the prevention of common engine faults and is competent is the following areas:
Understands:
- The need for periodic maintenance checks on engines and electrical installations.
- Requirement for tool kits, spares and lubricants.
- The location of filters and bleed points for fuel.
- The tension of drive belts and how to adjust or replace them.
- Carry out checks before starting, while running and after stopping.
- Clean water filters and knows the location of impellers.
- Estimate fuel consumption at various speeds and knows the effects of fouling.
- Carry out basic troubleshooting.
Understands:
- How to victual a cruising vessel appropriately for the planned passage.
Understands:
- How to issue distress signals by all available means, including distress flares and a VHF radio, in an emergency.
- How to use a life raft.
- How to secure a tow.
- Rescue procedures including helicopter rescue
- The effects of cold-water shock on a casualty in the water.
- The aftercare requirements of a casualty who has been in the water.
- Carry out the correct action as skipper for the recovery of a man overboard.
Knowledge of:
- Effects of waves on boat handling and crew comfort.
- Differing styles of hull and propulsion systems
- How to moor and leave a bow/stern-to mooring (practical experience where possible)
- Carry out the following manoeuvres under power in various wind and tide conditions:
- Steer a straight course
- Turn in a confined space
- Anchor at a pre-determined position
- Berth alongside
- Leave an alongside berth
- Pick up a mooring buoy
- Be aware of other water users
Understands:
- The characteristics of different types of keel.
- Bring a boat safely to and from a mooring buoy, and anchor under various conditions of wind and tide.
- Steer and trim sails effectively on all points of sailing
Knowledge Of:
- Marina locks
- The practical benefits and limitations of a chart plotter of GNSS
- Plan and make a coastal passage, taking into account relevant navigational hazards and limitations imposed by the type of boat and the strength of the crew.
Knowledge Of:
- Has experienced cruising at night, including leaving and entering harbour
- Special considerations for pilotage plans, keeping a lookout and identifying marks