An introduction for beginners who want to become active and useful crew members. Introduces the fundamentals of sailing a moderate-size cruising yacht.
RYA Competent Crew
By the end of the course you should have the confidence and ability to keep a lookout, handle sails, steer, row a dinghy and assist in all other day-to-day activities. During the course you will cover approximately 100 miles, including 4 night hours on watch.
Knowledge of sea terms and parts of a boat, her rigging and sails
Sufficient knowledge to understand orders given concerning the sailing and day-to-day running of the boat
Sail handling
Bending on, setting, reefing and handling of sails
Use of sheets and halyards and their associated bollards
Ropework
Handling ropes, including coiling, stowing, securing to cleats and single and double bollards
Handling warps
Ability to tie the following knots and to know their correct use: figure of eight, clove hitch, rolling hitch, bowline, round turn and two half hitches, single and double sheet bend, reef knot
Fire precautions and fighting
Awareness of the hazards of fire and the precautions necessary to prevent fire
Knowledge of the action to be taken in the event of a fire
Personal safety equipment
Understands and complies with the rules for the wearing of safety harnesses, lifejackets and personal buoyancy aids
Man overboard
Understands the action to be taken to recover a man overboard
Emergency equipment
Can operate distress flares and knows when they should be used
Understands how to launch and board a liferaft
Manners and customs
Understands accepted practice with regard to: use of burgees and ensigns, prevention of unnecessary noise or disturbance in harbour including courtesies to other berthed craft
Aware of the responsibility of yacht skippers to protect the environment
Rules of the road
Is able to keep an efficient lookout at sea
Dinghies
Understands and complies with the loading rules
Is able to handle a dinghy under oars
Meteorology
Awareness of forecasting services and knowledge of the Beaufort scale
Seasickness
Working efficiency is unaffected/ partially affected/ severely affected by seasickness
Helmsmanship and sailing
Understands the basic principals of sailing and can steer and trim sails on all points of sail
Can steer a compass course, under sail and power
General duties
Has carried out general duties satisfactorily on deck and below decks in connection with the daily routine of the vessel
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