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Tuition Underway –
Pontoon Bashing
you that it’s the first and last 100
metres which causes the stress.
Many experienced sailors will tell
(other) mark on her.
basis. The boat survived – without a
some marina practice, in and out of
moving astern etc. on a one2one
Here I am instructing a victim doing
berths, turning in a confined space,
In a clip from 2013 you see the
appreciation of Ladies on an RYA sponsored day at Royal Quays Ladies Day
Taking your Day Skipper Practical in 2015?
Check off this List first before deciding on a plan of action;
do a regular Day Skipper Course, obtaining the certificate and then applying for the
1 ICC (International Certificate of Competence) From next year there will be many
lesser standard ticket. Alternatively, private courses can be arranged.
more demands for boat owners as well as charterers to have this. The easiest route is to
can only be obtained in tidal waters i.e. not east of Gibraltar.
2 Tidal or non Tidal. The DS ticket can be either but clearly the tidal is the best and
Ensure you have both, but if you haven’t the theory check to see how you might get this
3 What Qualifications do you have Standards of RYA Competent Crew and Day
before you commit.
Skipper Theory are needed and will be requested by a reputable RYA Training Centre.
4 Will the Course Run What may seem to be a cert, say a Bank Holiday, is not always
the easiest Course to fill – would you be allowed to go away and leave your
spouse/partner with the kids?
expensive for a one2one night sail! Last April the DS Course was terminated early
Instructor needs to tick off. What would happen if you failed to achieve all of these,
windy, sail, with successful and satisfied customers.
5 What if I don’t make all the Competencies In the G15 logbook you will see what the
through lack of wind but a day re-arranged within a week and we had a really good,
much wind on your course or the night sail was not done? The local guy may be rather
sometimes through no fault of your own. How would you manage if there was no/too
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6 Will the Training Centre’s boat be appropriate for me. I have seen courses on
(The marina might not be too keen on you doing it too)
45+foot boats, which I would not fancy handling in a marina, even with a bow thruster.
7 As put to me by a victim ‘If I can sail in the North Sea, I can sail anywhere’
Update on Courses;
THEORY COURSES
session. Cost £450 or £725 on tailored tuition. Next class commences January
RYA OCEAN YACHTMASTER Explore the wonders of a sextant with Celestial
metal, one plastic & two old brass, for you to handle. I will try and arrange a practical
Navigation and Ocean Passage Planning. This ‘top of the range’ RYA theory course can
lead to the coveted ‘Ocean Yachtmaster’ ticket. I have four sextants, one new lightweight
5, 6, 13, 19, 20 & 27th November & December 3, 4 11, 13, 17 & 18th
to Yachtmaster level. Cost £375 for class & £575 tailored tuition; Evenings/Saturdays;
RYA COASTAL YACHTMASTER The advanced Course, a must for those proceeding
day visit to the School boat. Cost £350. Evenings/Saturdays Course; 8, 15, 17, 22 &
RYA DAY SKIPPER A popular starting point for many. Same Course for Sail or Power.
Maximum 8 to a class and located in Heaton, Newcastle upon Tyne. Included is a half
29th January, 5, 12 & 26th February, 5, 7, & 12th March
PRACTICAL COURSES
handle whatever may come your way. Courses are fully inclusive, except for a kitty
All local courses take place on the school boat, a quality 36 foot Hallberg Rassy, well
the preferred wheel steering and comfortable bunk cushions you will be well set up to
contribution to drinks onshore.
known for its comfort and steadiness afloat. Properly equipped with modern electronics,
Crew standard. No experience necessary. Cost £265 assuming three sailors. Next
availability; Provisionally 25, 26 & 30th March
PRACTICAL CREWING My version of RYA Competent Crew. Three days, 0930-
1700hrs onboard for three persons. 3:1 private tuition and you will be up to the Comp
day out on the water. You can see whether yachting is for you at modest cost. Trips
operate out of Royal Quays 0930 – 1700hrs. Cost £50 (maximum 5 customers onboard).
Next availability; April 2015. A Christmas gift?
DAY TRIPS. ‘Taster’ days run throughout the season with the aim of having a pleasant
£550. May 3rd – 8th & June 7-12th.
and to become a useful crew member. A good start to, perhaps, a lifetime boating. Cost
RYA COMPETENT CREW A 5 day, live aboard, course where you will learn ‘the ropes’
you to the ability ‘ to skipper a small cruising yacht safely by day in tidal waters with
provide endless anecdotes for you to enjoy telling. Cost £575. April 19 – 24th, (FULL),
RYA DAY SKIPPER PRACTICAL The key to bareboat charter, this course aims to get
May 3rd – 8th & June 7-12th.
which the student is familiar’. Then you can be let loose to find your own adventures and
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INTERNATIONAL CERTIFICATE OF COMPETENCE (ICC) This can be done on the
same course as Day Skipper/Competent Crew. Cost £525 with dates as above.
are given for this which will be from £225 for one day, own boat.
Alternatively I can test you on your own boat at much cheaper cost. Individual quotations
Coastal £177). 24 – 28th June.
days onboard out of Royal Quays and you need to be thinking about this now. Sea miles
three places are still available. Cost £595 excluding exam fees (2014 rate for YM
days preparation followed by examination by an RYA Examiner for two days. In all 5
and certificates need to be compiled and I have one booking already, meaning that only
YACHTMASTER PREPARATION Following on from the successful session last June,
where three new YM’s were delivered, there is to be a repeat format in June 2015. Three
Scottish Islands Sail in 2015
determine. This will not be an RYA Course but will give an opportunity for a cruise with
we will sail round some great beauty spots. A possible itinerary could be Largs – Mull of
catering, canal costs etc. Bookings have already been taken and dates available are; 9 –
Kintyre – Islay – Jura – Crinan canal – Largs, but the weather and crew capability will
A fine and spacious yacht has been chartered for two separate weeks out of Largs and
days onboard, depending on the accommodation selected. This price is inclusive of
instruction and mileage for your logbook. The costs vary from £595 to £725 for seven
16th May & 30th May – 6th June.
skipper. Jeanneau 379
The yacht will be a superb Jeanneau 379, built 2013, accommodating up to 7 plus
chartering themselves would benefit, and have a holiday too! I will skipper one and Don
Couples will be welcome and Day Skippers wanting a little more practice before
Gunton the other.
Sailor’s Evening – Diary Note
Last year’s was a sell out and a packed bar. Mark in your diary 11th February, and tell a
friend
Northumbria Sailing on You Tube
Have a look at my Theory Training Centre with this video. Training
Onboard the Hallberg Rassy training yacht, by courtesy of Mark Batey and the kind cooperation
of victims Andrew and Clive. See me giving berthing advice in trying to avoid
the electric supply post Mark Batey Day Training
RYA Competent Crew in the sun, by courtesy of Mark again Mark Batey Competent Crew
Across the Pond
Atlantic Rally for Cruisers (ARC) in ‘Oyster Blew’ and can be tracked on their blog Jill and
Jill and Nigel have already set off on their big trip across the Atlantic by joining the
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Atlantic Rally for Cruisers (ARC) in ‘Oyster Blew’ and can be tracked on their blog Jill and
Nigel next week they plan to complete their journey to the start line of Las Palmas. This
you want a last minute crewing spot. The Rally starts on 19th November, ending in St
Lucia ARC
was where I completed my Ocean Qualifying trip two years ago and the place to be if
Victims at Sea
Edward, Jeff and Jonathan successfully completed their trip to Vilamoura on Jordi. Jordi
nearer the time.
Three Andys, Nigel & gang have reputedly bought a Nicholson yacht and are
threatening to bring it to the Tyne next season. An ‘All Ships’ warning will be sent out
Jane
Ian and Jane continue their lengthy and interesting trip through the American waterways
onboard a power vessel, enjoying the sights on the way. You can follow them on Ian and
to launch from a slipway. Any suggestions are welcome.
Mark Batey, himself, has bought a Swallow Bayraider 17 and is looking for somewhere
Simon, poor unfortumate soul, not one of my victims but my First Aid Instructor, has a
Sadler 34- stravaigen moored on the Clyde, although now in Inverkip for the winter.
Specialist Courses include;
2 x Evenings Course: 9 & 10th December. Full Day 7th November Cost £110 plus £60
per training set. As you will be assessed for practical skills as well as theoretical I think
RYA VHF Still available in class or private tuition. Don’t be caught without a proper
Assessment £60 extra. Try these links. RYA Online VHF Radio and RYA Online VHF video
confiscation – yes it’s very severe! At Northumbria Sailing you will receive tuition one
to RYA Also available One to One at £160 and online at £85 to include manual.
it’s advisable that you have every opportunity to familiarise yourself with the equipment.
licence as you could be fined up to £5,000, plus 6 months inside, plus equipment
plus £9 to RYA. Next session, all day, either January 14 or 16th
RYA RADAR Are you safe using your set? Can you properly identify a collision
held responsible if an incident was to occur. Day or two evening courses. Cost £120,
situation? If you have radar you are required to know how to use it properly and could be
CEVNI test for the Inland waterways endorsement to your ICC. Done online, cost £25
introduction to the theory part of sailing, with yacht or power boat. Cost £95 plus £27 to
RYA Essential Navigation Online. Do this starter course on your own laptop. A good
the RYA
day activity with lots of practical work. Cost £85, £100 for Cat C drug endorsement. Next
RYA FIRST AID. All day for the RYA certificate, valid three years. Be prepared for all
session, provisionally, March
For more information try my web page or mail me
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For more information try my web page or mail me
Sail Safely the RYA Way 🙂