Is Competent Crew needed before Day Skipper?

[Uricanejack]

I would agree with Captsensible. Based on my own experience. Unlike most people I didn't start sailing in dinghies
I was quite experienced in row boats, canoes, power boats. all sorts of boats without sails.
I didn't do a course. I spent time crewing on a sailboat. I was regarded as a very reliable crew. I knew a lot of stuff. I never really understood how the sails worked until I finally did a course.
Not sure about the point of a competent crew but a DS would appear to be spot on. Some stuff will be just revision. Revision doesn't do any harm.
You do want the really all basic details on sails. It will come quickly.

 

[Uricanejack]

I used to teach MoB under sail, even for DS.
If nothing else, it gives some confidence in sailing manouvers.

I always found the traditional MOB drill under sail. Served a very useful purpose. It got all the students to really demonstrate they could sail the boat. And gave them practice of doing so without my impute.

 

[alant]

I always found the traditional MOB drill under sail. Served a very useful purpose. It got all the students to really demonstrate they could sail the boat. And gave them practice of doing so without my impute.

Agreed.
On any course I was involved in, everyone from comp crew to YM, undertook all the manouvering exercises, pontoon bashing/mob etc. They all paid, so all entitled to play.

 

[LadyInBed]

and would get me the ICC as well to be able to cross the channel later down the line when I have enough experience..

Go for DS but a small point, you don't need an ICC to sail to France, only for inland waterways.

 

[alant]

Go for DS but a small point, you don't need an ICC to sail to France, only for inland waterways.

You need another exam for inland waterways.

 

[Tranona]

You need another exam for inland waterways.

But it is only a simple multiple choice paper on the CEVNI regs.

 

[alant]

But it is only a simple multiple choice paper on the CEVNI regs.

Simple for some perhaps, but still an xtra exam.

 

[Tranona]

Simple for some perhaps, but still an xtra exam.

If you are unable to pass that, one might question how you managed to pass a Day Skipper!

It is entirely optional, only if you want to go into some inland waterways. No barrier at all to a competent person.

 

[LadyInBed]

You need another exam for inland waterways.

Yes, along with your ICC!

 

[grumpy_o_g]

Courtesy of Hamble School of Yachting (of whom I have heard good reports) https://www.hamble.co.uk/day-skipper-practical-syllabus

Depends on the level of experience of the OP on MoBo's but I would imagine that, after a number of years on the water, much of that below would be superfluous and the time better spent on sailing. I'm not suggesting just jumping onto a Coastal Skipper course, I'm suggesting getting a bit of sailing under his (and the family's) belt and then doing Coastal.

[h=1]Day Skipper Practical Syllabus[/h] The Day Skipper course teaches pilotage, navigation, seamanship and boat handling up to the required standard to skipper a small cruising yacht safely by day in tidal waters with which the student is familiar.
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 alongside berth

3. Navigation

• Is proficient in chartwork and routine navigational duties on passage including:Taking and plotting visual fixesUse of electronic navigation equipment for position fixing
• Use of waypoints
• Working up to 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 surroundings 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

11. Yacht handling under power

• Can bring a boat safely to and from an alongside berth, mooring buoy and anchor under various conditions of wind and tide
• Can steer and trim sails effectively on all points of sailing

12. 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

13. Night cruising

• Has experienced sail cruising at night, including leaving and entering harbour.
• Understands the special consideration for pilotage plans, keeping a lookout and identifying marks by night.

14. Seasickness

• Working efficiency is unaffected/partially affected/severely affected by seasickness

15. Helmsmanship and sailing

• Understands the basic principles of sailing and can steer and trim sails on all points of sailing
• Can steer a compass course, under sail and power

16. General duties

• Has carried out general duties satisfactorily on deck and below decks in connection with the daily routine of the vessel

Compare this to the Coastal Skipper Syllabus:

[h=1]Coastal Skipper Practical Syllabus[/h] The aim of this course is to teach the skills and techniques required to skipper a cruising yacht safely on coastal passages by day and night.
1. Passage planningCan plan a coastal passage including a consideration of the capability of the yacht, navigation, victualling, weather, ports of refuge, tidal heights, and tidal streams, publications required and strategyKnow Customs procedures
2. Preparation for seaIs aware of safety equipment required for offshore passagesCan prepare a yacht for sea including stowage, safety briefing, watch keeping, delegating responsibilities and equipment and engine checks
3. PilotageCan prepare a pilotage plan, with consideration of surroundings, transits, clearing bearings, buoyage, port or harbour regulations and tidal considerationsb. Can pilot a yacht by day and night
4. Passage making and ability as skipperCan take charge of a yacht and direct the crewCan organise the navigation, deckwork, and domestic duties of a yacht on passageIs aware of the significance of meteorological trendsIs aware of crew welfare on passageCan use electronic navigational equipment for planning and undertaking a passage, including the use of waypoints and routes
5. Yacht handling under powerCan control the yacht effectively in a confined space under powerAll berthing and unberthing situations in various conditions of wind and tide
6. Yacht handling under sailCharacteristicsCan use the sails to control the yacht in a confined spaceAnchoring and mooring in various conditions of wind and tideCan sail efficiently on all points of sailing
7. Adverse weather conditionsPreparation for heavy weather and yacht handling in strong windsNavigation and general conduct in restricted visibility
8. Emergency situationsRecovery of man overboard under power and sailUnderstands action to be taken when abandoning to the liferaft and during helicopter and lifeboat rescues

 

[capnsensible]

Courtesy of Hamble School of Yachting (of whom I have heard good reports)

They are indeed, good. One of a number of Recognised Training Centres I have worked for or run over the past 23 years of being an Instructor.

:encouragement:

 

[Sailing Ape]

That is the bit that is not so. Any Day Skipper course has a mix of students of varying backgrounds and experience. Everyone will learn plenty.

+1 on that.

But the idea of getting people together to do a MoBo to sail conversion course is a gone - at least you'll get to focus on sailing and the differenced in boat handling rather than repeating a lot of things that you already know.

 

[Babylon]

+1 on that.

But the idea of getting people together to do a MoBo to sail conversion course is a good one - at least you'll get to focus on sailing and the differenced in boat handling rather than repeating a lot of things that you already know.

(Fixed that.)

If you aren't after a certificate or qual, then you can ask a sailing school to provide specific training - they'll be happy to take your money either way.

 

[Sailing Ape]

(Fixed that.)

Thanks Babylon! Must remember to re-read replies before hitting Post Quick Reply...