SKIPPER COURSE 12th-14th March & 9th-11th April 2010

The Skipper course is designed to provide training on basic pilotage, boat handling, seamanship skills, knowledge of boat systems and navigation to assist candidates to skipper a small vessel in partially smooth and familiar waters.

The course is conducted as a live-aboard over 3 days and 2 nights on board a Hunter 38, ideally suited for up to 5 students and the Instructor. The course includes coastal passages to Broken Bay, Newcastle and Botany Bay (Passages subject to the weather conditions.

During the 3 days on board the student will receive instruction on the following areas: ~ Victualising the vessel ~ Night watch keeping ~ Passage Planning ~ Marine Radio operation ~ Blind Navigation ~ Sail Trimming ~ Boat Handling ~ Meteorology ~ Deck Work ~ Marine Engineering ~ Harbour Pilotage ~ Operating Under Power ~ Anchoring ~ Reefing ~ Emergency Situations / responses

On Water Practical

Night pilotage - buoyage/lights/transits
Radio operation sign-on with coastguard
Night sail watch/ keeping /techniques /
Night anchorage considerations/techniques
dinner preperation
Passage planning and introduction to charts

Day 2 ~ Morning Session

Breakfast
Instructor briefing
Radio check and forecast
Preparation for sailing
Sailing a course / chart work
Boat handling / sail trim
Man over board drill / reefing exercise
Anchor for lunch / de-brief

Day 2 ~ Afternoon Session

Sailing a course
Transits & bearing
Sail trimming / boat handling
Radio operation -forecast
Anchoring techniques / assessment
Meteorology
Blind navigation theory
De-brief
Dinner preperation

Day 3~ Morning Session

Breakfast
Instructor briefing
Boat systems
Safety equipment/location/hull fittings
Electric & water systems
Operating under power
Radio operation - forecast
Sail training -de-powering
Procedures / drills

Day 3~ Afternoon Session

Blind navigation
Man over board drill
Conclusions
Tidy the vessel

>>> CLICK HERE - for Further information
and dates for our Offshore Sailing Adventurers

Cost $750 Includes three days and two nights live-aboard a new Hunter 38 yacht. The course begins at 5.00 pm at the National Maritime Museum at Darling Harbour and returns Sunday afternoon at approxiamtely 4pm. Includes Coastal Navigation handbook, all meals on board, two free social races.

What to bring - warm comfortable clothing, wet weather gear, two pairs of deck shoes or boots, wooly hat, toiletries, towel, sleeping bag and pillow.