Day Skipper – Motor Cruising

Venue

The course will be run from Chatham Marina through the RYA training centre First4Boat Training, the address for Chatham Maritime Marina, Leviathan Way, Chatham, Kent, ME4 4LP. Toilets and showers are available on site and obviously the boat upon which you will be undertaking the course has a toilet.

Boat

The Boat Santo Cristo is a Swift Trawler 42, this is a fly bridge motor cruiser with lower and upper helm positions. She is 45 foot in overall length and 12 foot wide, a stable platform to teach on. Her twin engines have almost 700 horse power, she also has a bow thruster and is capable of cruising at 20 knots.

Day Skipper Practical

About the course

Before attending this course you should be able to navigate and are well advised to attend the RYA Day Skipper shorebased course.

This course will also help you get the best from your modern electronic aids such as GPS and radar, which are now virtually standard equipment on modern motor cruisers.

Course Content

Preparation for sea, boat handling, navigation, pilotage, passage making, meteorology, rules of the road, engines, emergency situations, night cruising.

Ability after the course

To be able to skipper a motor cruiser in familiar waters by day.

Previous experience

Basic boat experience or to the RYA Helmsman ability. Theory to Day Skipper level, it is highly recommended that you complete the Day Skipper shorebased course before attending the practical.

Minimum age

18 yrs.

Course Structure

On board Santo Cristo with no more than 3 other students (max 4 in total). It is a 4 day course and each day is a full day that starts at 0900 and finishes about 1800.

There is no exam but a continuous assessment by your instructor who will, during the course, keep you informed as to your progress.

Equipment required

You will need appropriate foot wear, non slip and non marking soles. Boots or trainers are fine if they meet this requirement. Boat shoes or boots are perfect! Layers of clothing that are easy to move about in, the temperature will change so a few layers are advisable. Waterproof top and trousers, gloves may be required but this is personal preference. Sun hat or woolly hat appropriate to the weather.

Do not forget any personal items that you may require including sunscreen and seasickness tablets if you think you may be prone to nausea.

We will provide tea/coffee, biscuits, soups and sandwiches for lunch. If you choose to stay on board overnight we would expect to eat ashore, this is not covered in the price quoted.

For all courses we would recommend that you bring a note book, pencil and rubber to make any notes for later reference.