Stephen Kingham
The National Competent Crew Certificate
Stephen Kingham
This is a practical course, in and around sailing craft to put into practice,
as far as possible, the information received in the Small Craft Safety
Course. Approximate timings for the course are as below but these can
vary, depending on each student's ability and on weather conditions prevailing
during the course.
Small Craft Safety Course (Competent Crew Theory Course) – 16 hours
Competent Crew Practical – 12 hours day + 4 hours night
Suitable theory course components can be combined with the on board practical course to allow for a reduction of combined times
This course has also been arranged to cover the National Marine Safety Committee (NMSC) "Guidelines for Recreational Boat Operator Competencies", that have been adopted by some States for the issue of their Recreational Boat Driver Licensing (or equivalent).
Upon successful completion of this course, participants should have sufficient knowledge, skill and attitude to demonstrate the competent performance of tasks and responsible behaviour as a crew person aboard a cruising yacht.
Yacht Cruising Inshore Skipper Certificate
Link to Yachting Australia|
Overview |
This course builds on prior National Yacht Cruising Scheme courses and provides a greater understanding of the content. |
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Outcomes |
Sufficient knowledge, skill and attitude to safely sail and navigate a yacht as Skipper, in inland and sheltered waters, and on short coastal passages in daylight hours. You will also gain your Yacht Cruising Inshore Certificate. |
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Pre-requisites |
It is suggested that you have obtained your Competent Crew certificate (or have similar experience) and have logged a further 200 hours. |
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Where can I take the course? |
Please contact a Yachting Australia Training Centre or your nearest Sailing Club. Please ask them about our Yachting Australia Logbooks so that you can monitor your progress. |
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What to do afterwards? |
Continue sailing with a view to achieving your Coastal Skipper certificate, or undertake an Inshore Skipper Instructor course to become an instructor. |
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Requirements |
Theory Course (appropriately signed off in your logbook)
Practical Course (appropriately signed off in your logbook) 200 hours logged on board a yacht as an active crew incl:
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The syllabus for the inshore skipper course is as follows:
1. Terminology
Terminology as per Small Craft Safety Course
Stability - including Static and Dynamic stability, free surface effect,
loading and stowage
Regulations
2. Seamanship
Safety consciuosness
Safety equipment
Distress Signals
Emergencies - including collision damage, grounding, sinking, dismasting, loss of steering, loss of rudder, towing and being towed
Prevention and control of fire
Crew Overboard Recovery
Liferaft deployment
Adverse weather and restricted visibility
Search and rescue
Crew aloft - safety issues
Ropes and cordage - appropriate selection, knots
Sailing Theory - including points of sail, rigging, how sails work, spar and rig control
Boat Handling Considerations
Boat Handling Activities - including Anchoring, mooring, berthing, rafting up
Anchoring - selecting site exit route for an emergency
Towing and being towed - including communication, basic salvage rights and responsibilities, warps, bridles, hitches, strong points, towing speed
Tender and dinghy handling
Pre-start Engine Checks
After start checks
Routine preventative maintenance, minor repairs and troubleshooting
toolkit, spares and handbooks
4. Meteorology
Sources of weather information
Interpretation of Forecasts and Weather reports
Use of Barometer
Weather Phenomena
Single station forecasting
Radio - types, characteristics, operation, radio procedures
Distress signals
Sound signals
Lights and Day shapes
International Code Flags
Passage planning
Boat and Crew Limitations
Tender or Dinghy decisions
Navigation Equipment, Charts and Publications
Passage issues - distance, passage and leg times, hazards, way points, safe havens
Provisioning (Victualling)
Tools and spares
Predeparture Checks
Watchkeeping
Log Keeping
Charts and Publications
Compasses and their errors
Navigation equipment
Navigational Techniques including chart work
Tidal Information
Pilotage
GPS
8. Leadership
Preparation
Train, direct and supervise crew
The Practical Course will teach you how to implement the above knowledge.