Basic Cruising

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 square 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 toppinglift.
• 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 boathandling.
• Demonstrate the use of docklines, including springlines, for boat control while departing.
• Demonstrate stowing of docklines 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:

• Determine your position in open water, the position of your destination, your intended track and approximate travel time to that destination.
• Confirm your progress along that intended track with visual observations or with visual observations and electronic confirmation. Obtain and utilize relevant tide and current information. Using a chart, verify sufficient depth for a planned cruise.

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 rehoisting underway.
• Demonstrate helm and boat control while sailing under shortened sail.

Overboard Rescue Methods:

• Properly demonstrate one of the overboard rescue methods, which is most appropriate for: your sailing ability, boat type, crew experience, wind and sea conditions, and maintaining constant visual contact with the person in water.

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: boathandling, deploying fenders, stopping and tying up.
• Demonstrate correct use and deployment of docklines, including springlines.

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 docklines, spring lines and fender placement.