Day Skipper Practical

Preparation for Sea

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
• Additional for Sail:
• Selection of sails

Deck Work

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
• Additional for Sail:
• Reef, shake out reefs and change sails to suit prevailing conditions

Navigation

Is proficient in chartwork and routine navigational duties on passage including:

• The uses and limitations of AIS

UNDERSTANDS:

• Working up Dead Reckoning (DR) and Estimated Position (EP)
• Use of a lead line, or similar
• How to work out a course to steer to allow for set, drift and leeway

CAN:

• Take and plot visual fixes
• Use electronic navigation equipment for position fixing
• Use secondary means of position fixing
• Estimate tidal heights and tidal streams
• Use waypoints and routes
• Use knowledge of IALA buoyage
• Maintain navigational records
• Use an echo sounder

Pilotage

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

Meteorology

UNDERSTANDS:

• How to interpret shipping forecasts and use a barometer as a forecasting aid

CAN:

• Source forecast information

Rules of the Road

CAN:

• Demonstrate suitable awareness of other water users both at sea and in close-quarter manoeuvring
• Demonstrate a practical understanding of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea

Maintenance and Repair Work

KNOWLEDGE OF:

• The properties and uses of common synthetic-fibre ropes

UNDERSTANDS:

• Maintenance tasks and is able to carry them out

Engines

Has a working knowledge of the prevention of common engine faults and is competent in the following areas:

UNDERSTANDS:

• The need for periodic maintenance checks on engines and electrical installations
• Requirements 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

CAN:

• Carry out checks before starting, while running and after stopping
• Clean water filters and knows the location of impellors
• Estimate fuel consumption at various speeds and knows the effects of fouling
• Carry out basic troubleshooting

Victualling

UNDERSTANDS:

• How to victual a cruising vessel appropriately for the planned passage

Emergency Situations

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

CAN:

• Carry out the correct action as skipper for the recovery of a man overboard

Handling under Power (Sail and Motor)

KNOWLEDGE OF:

• Effects of waves on boat handling and crew comfort

UNDERSTANDS:

• Differing styles of hull and propulsion systems
• How to moor and leave a bow/stern-to mooring (practical experience where possible)
• How to identify and take into account wind and current conditions when planning and executing manoeuvres (practical experience where possible)

CAN:

• Carry out the following manoeuvres under power:
• 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
• Additional for Motor vessels:
• Use power and trim tabs correctly

Yacht Handling under Sail (Sail Only)

UNDERSTANDS:

• The characteristics of different types of keel
• How to identify and take into account wind and current conditions when planning and executing manoeuvres and choosing appropriate sail plan (practical experience where possible)

CAN:

• Bring a boat safely to and from a mooring buoy
• Anchor
• Steer and trim sails effectively on all points of sailing

Passage-making

KNOWLEDGE OF:

• Manna locks

UNDERSTANDS:

• The practical benefits and limitations of a chart plotter or GNSS

CAN:

• 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

Night Cruising

KNOWLEDGE OF:

• Has experienced cruising at night, including leaving and entering harbour

UNDERSTANDS:

• Special considerations for pilotage plans, keeping a lookout and identifying marks by night