Basic Cruising
Requirements & Standards 
The Basic Cruising
graduate will have successfully demonstrated the ability to responsibly skipper and crew a
wheel steered, inboard powered cruising sailboat, during daylight hours, within sight of
land in moderate wind and sea conditions.
Equipment:
Basic Cruising Certification courses and examinations are conducted on 30' to 43'
sloop-rigged cruising keelboats with auxiliary inboard power and with adequate equipment
inventory to complete all required certification outcomes.
Prerequisite:
Basic Keelboat Certification.
Certification Requirements:
Basic Cruising Certification requires the successful completion of the following knowledge
and skill requirements. These requirements are expected to be able to be performed safely
with confident command of the boat in a wind range of 5 to 15 knots. Some regions may have
stronger prevailing conditions, which are acceptable if the candidate can safely control
the boat, and be aware of his or her limitations in these conditions. The certified
candidate will be able to skipper a keelboat up to 32 feet in length.
Skills
Preparation to Sail:
Demonstrate ability to recognize and forecast prevailing local weather conditions.
Perform an inspection of running rigging, standing rigging and hull integrity.
Check the inventory, location and operation of required safety equipment.
Check the auxiliary power systems (as applicable to your boat): location and operation of
engine controls, engine mechanical and fluids check, transmission controls, ventilation
system and cooling system.
Check the electrical system (as applicable to your boat): main battery switch, electrical
control panel and battery terminals.
Check the bilge pump system (as applicable to your boat): operation of manual and
electrical pumps, intake maintenance and bilge pump alarms.
Check the head systems (as applicable to your boat): location of controls, equipment
operation, holding tanks and proper setting of valves.
Check the fresh water system (as applicable to your boat): adequate quantity, operation of
manual and electrical pumps, and proper setting of valves.
Check the anchoring system (as applicable to your boat): anchors, shackles, rodes, chafing
equipment and windlass.
Check all other equipment specific to your boat not indicated above.
Crew Operations and Skills:
Demonstrate winch operation and the proper procedure for clearing a fouled winch.
Demonstrate tying and use of knots: clove hitch, sheet bend and rolling hitch. Review
stopper knot, bowline, cleat hitch, round turn & two half hitches and sail lashing
knot.
Demonstrate how to heave a line.
Demonstrate the use of sail controls: halyards, sheets, traveler, cunningham/downhaul,
outhaul, adjustable backstay (if applicable), boom vang, leech lines, jib fairleads and
boom topping lift.
Demonstrate the operation of a VHF radio: operation of controls, channel usage, call sign,
weather channels and simulate an emergency call.
Demonstrate a comprehensive crew briefing and plan of responsibilities.
Leaving the Dock or Mooring:
Demonstrate appropriate helmsman and crew coordination and skills for departure under
power suitable to the conditions: line handling, casting off, fending off and boat
handling.
Demonstrate the use of dock lines, including spring lines, for boat control while
departing.
Demonstrate stowing of dock lines and fenders.
Boat Control in Confined Waters:
Demonstrate in close quarters under power: speed and momentum control, windage and prop
walk control, and command of the crew.
Demonstrate ability to maneuver under sail in close quarters: short tacking and controlled
jibes.
Demonstrate a recovery plan for an engine failure in a crowded and busy harbor.
Navigation (Piloting):
Demonstrate ability to identify chart symbols and corresponding visual observations.
Demonstrate basic dead reckoning: plotting course and position, calculating
time/speed/distance, taking bearings and fixes.
Boat Control in Open Water:
Demonstrate ability to steer a compass course with changes in course to a given
destination.
Demonstrate helm and boat control in a variety of wind and sea conditions.
Heavy Weather Sailing:
Demonstrate proper reefing techniques: determining when to reef, roller furling or
changing headsails, reefing the mainsail, dropping sails, shaking out a reef, and
re-hoisting underway.
Demonstrate helm and boat control while sailing under shortened sail.
Overboard Recovery Methods:
Properly demonstrate one of the overboard recovery methods, which is most appropriate for
your sailing ability, boat type, crew experience, wind and sea conditions, and maintaining
constant visual contact with the victim.
Safety and Emergency Procedures:
Simulate procedure and operation of VHF radio in various emergency situations.
Simulate failure of steering system, and demonstrate steering and boat control with sails.
Anchoring Techniques:
Select an anchorage, and demonstrate appropriate helmsman and crew coordination and skills
for properly anchoring with a single anchor under power.
Demonstrate appropriate helmsman and crew coordination and skills for retrieving your
anchor under power.
Returning to the Dock or Mooring:
Demonstrate appropriate helmsman and crew coordination and skills for arrival under power
suitable to the conditions: boat handling, deploying fenders, stopping and tying up.
Demonstrate correct use and deployment of dock lines, including spring lines.
Securing the Boat Properly:
Demonstrate stowing of sails, rigging and equipment. Thoroughly clean the boat, and
install any covers and dock power equipment.
Check both the electrical and bilge systems for dock operation.
Check the locks on companionway, lockers and hatches. Make a final check of dock lines,
spring lines and fender placement.
Knowledge
Crew Operations and Skills:
Describe typical crew responsibilities and communications while aboard an auxiliary
powered cruising sailboat.
Explain weather recognition and forecasting techniques for a day sail.
Explain the sequence for determining blocked engine cooling system circulation.
Understand the different types and operation of stoves, and fuel systems. Be familiar with
the use of a float plan.
Understand your state and local boating regulations.
Sailing Theory:
Describe sailboat dynamics: Center of Effort, Center of Lateral Resistance, and effects
and influences of lee and weather helm.
Describe real and apparent wind, and their relationship to each other.
Leaving the Dock or Mooring:
Understand the effects of wind, tide and currents in relation to the boat and surrounding
area, while preparing to get underway.
Describe the differences and alternatives for leaving under power in upwind, crosswind and
downwind situations.
Navigation (Piloting):
Be familiar with magnetic influences that may disrupt compass readings.
Understand variation and describe the use of compass rose.
Navigation Rules, International-Inland:
Know the Navigation Rules, International-Inland, Rules 4 through 10 for steering and
sailing.
Describe the Navigation Rules, International-Inland, for Stand-On and Give-Way sailboats
and powerboats for collision avoidance and understand your state and local boating
regulations.
Boat Control in Open Water:
Explain the dangers of a lee shore.
Overboard Recovery Methods:
Understand the Quick-Stop, Life sling-type, and Quick-Turn overboard recovery methods
under sail to include: constant visual contact with the victim, communications, recovery
plan, sequence of maneuvers, boat handling, course sailed, pickup approach and coming
alongside the victim (or simulated object).
Describe methods of getting an overboard recovery victim back on deck after the vessel is
stopped alongside.
Explain when overboard recovery should be done under power and the inherent dangers.
Safety and Emergency Procedures:
Describe recovery methods after going aground.
Be familiar with fire fighting equipment on board: regulations, types, location and
operation.
Be familiar with the location and operation of emergency steering system and boat control
during failure of the steering system.
Understand towing techniques: maneuvering onto a tow, handling and securing a towline,
chafing protection, boat speed, dropping off a tow and communications.
Describe the proper function of lifelines and pulpits.
Explain proper fueling techniques and potential hazards.
Explain the purpose and use of a radar reflector.
Be familiar with the U.S. Coast Guard safety requirements for auxiliary powered vessels.
Be familiar with at least six distress or emergency signals.
Anchoring Techniques:
Explain different types of anchors and various bottom conditions suited for each type.
Explain how to determine the required scope of an anchor rode.
Describe accepted etiquette when anchoring in the vicinity of other boats.
Returning to the Dock or Mooring:
Describe the differences and alternatives for arrival under power in upwind, crosswind and
downwind situations. |
