Day Skipper Practical

This four day course concentrates on skippering, navigation, pilotage and close quarters manoeuvring. The Day Skipper Practical (motor) course gives you a chance to take charge on short passages under instruction with advice and help from the instructor.

Over the four days you will cover at least 100 miles and carry out a night passage. Safety, problems and responsibilities of being in charge of a boat and how to cope with common difficulties will be introduced.  There will be an opportunity to skipper the vessel on short passages. The night cruising passage has emphasis on leaving and entering a harbour, keeping a lookout and identifying marks by night.

By the end of the course you should be able to skipper a motor cruiser in familiar waters by day. On successful completion the Day Skipper Practical (power) certificate will be awarded. Designed for tidal waters.

Two days experience on the water is required and it will be assumed you have basic theoretical knowledge of navigation to the Day Skipper Theory level.

Syllabus

  •   Preparation - boat & engine checks, safety equipment.
  •   Boat handling - handling in various conditions of wind & tide, turning in a confined space,
           securing to a buoy, anchoring in a pre-determined position, leaving and coming alongside,
           high speed work, power & trim tabs.
  •   Navigation - plotting visual fixes, use of GPS, tidal heights & streams, course to steer,
           EP & DR, buoys & beacons, log & log keeping.
  •   Pilotage -pilotage plans, clearing bearings & transits.
  •   Passage making - passage making & navigation.
  •   Meteorology - forecast sources & interpretation.
  •   Rules of the road - knowledge & application of collision regulations .
  •   Engines - Checks & maintenance, engine systems & trouble shooting.
  •   Emergency situations - recovery of MOB, distress flares & emergency equipment,
           rescue procedures.
  •   Night cruising - entering & departing port in darkness, pilotage techniques &
           buoyage identification.

How long is the course?

4 days live aboard. Students live on board the boat for the duration of the course as the boat sails around Port Phillip.

When is this training held and how much does it cost?

This training is by arrangement. Please call on 9699 9425 to determine your needs and discuss costs.

A deposit is required per person with booking form to confirm your position Note Terms & Conditions for Instruction on own vessel.

We accept cash, money order or credit card (MasterCard or Visa only). Please note that cheques are not accepted. RYA logbook and certificate presented upon successful completion.