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Day Skipper and Watch Leader Practical Course Syllabus - Tidal

Section A

All candidates

1. Preparation for sea

·          Is able to prepare a yacht for sea, including engine checks, selection of sails, securing and stowage of all gear on deck and below. 

2. Deck work

·          Can reef, shake out reefs and change sails to suit prevailing conditions

·          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 

3. Navigation

Is proficient in chart work and routine navigational duties on passage including:

·          Taking and plotting visual fixes

·          Use of electronic navigation equipment for position fixing

·          Use of waypoints

·          Working up DR and EP

·          Estimating tidal heights and tidal streams

·          Working out course to steer to allow for tidal stream, leeway and drift

·          Knowledge of IALA buoyage

·          Maintenance of navigational records

·          Use of echo sounder and lead line 

4. Pilotage

·          Can prepare and execute a pilotage plan for entry into, or departure from, harbour

·          Understands the use of leading and clearing lines.

·          Use of transits and soundings as aids to pilotage 

5. Meteorology

·          Knows sources of forecast information

·          Can interpret shipping forecasts and use a barometer as a forecasting aid 

6. Rule of the road

·          Has a working knowledge of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea

7. Maintenance and repair work

·          Understands and is able to carry out maintenance tasks

·          Knows the properties and uses of common synthetic fibre ropes 

8. Engines

·          Knows how to change fuel and water filters, pump impeller and to bleed the fuel system

9. Victualling

·          Understands how to victual a yacht

10. Emergency situations

·          Is able to take correct action as skipper for recovery of man overboard

·          Understands distress flares and how to use a liferaft

·          Can operate a radiotelephone in an emergency and send a distress message

·          Understands how to secure a tow

·          Understands rescue procedures including helicopter rescue 

Section B

Sail Training Candidates only - Watch Leader 

11. General organization

·         Understands the organisation and is fully competent to take charge of a watch at sea and in harbour

Yachting Candidates only - Day Skipper 

12. Yacht handling under power

13. Yacht handling under sail

·       Can bring a boat safely to and from a mooring buoy and anchor under various conditions of wind and tide

·       Can steer and trim sails effectively on all points of sailing 

14. Passage making

·     Can plan and make a coastal passage, taking account of relevant navigational hazards and limitations imposed by the type of boat and the strength of the crew