JOINING INSTRUCTIONS FOR RYA COURSES
Arrival
Courses generally start in the afternoon or early evening on the first day with students being met at Royal Quays Marina, at the head of the walkway to the pontoons, by their Instructor and/or by Melvyn Wallhead (Principal). An email finalising these arrangements, confirming the start time will be sent prior to the course.
Covid 19
It is of paramount importance that you do not join a course with Northumbria Sailing if you, or someone in your household, develops Covid 19 symptoms, or if you have been contacted in the lead up to the course and should, in line with Government Guidance, self-isolate. If you develop symptoms please let us know immediately.
Onboard
Between courses the boat will have been fully cleaned.
We will either be day sailing with no residential element, or living onboard within agreed current guidance from the Government and the RYA. Non RYA Courses will also follow these guidelines. A brief regarding health management will be undertaken by your Instructor prior to going on board for the first time.
Virucidal cleaning materials are on board and the regular ‘touch’ surfaces will be wiped down regularly each day. Should you wish to bring and use a face covering please do so. Do remember that a paper based mask will not last long in the marine environment.
Accommodation
Pure Gallus is a Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 419, 3 cabin twin heads layout capable of sleeping 4 plus a skipper; pillows are provided but bring a pillow case and a warm sleeping bag. Something to wear in the sleeping bag is useful e.g. pyjamas or long johns and T-shirt to save any embarrassment if you have to get up in the night.
Reasonable storage space is available, although like any small yacht, items have to be moved around. For instance, most people tend to live out of their bag which can be packed and stored during the day. It is also helpful if clothes are packed inside some poly bags or dry bags inside a main bag as this can help keep them from getting damp when conditions are inclement. Please bring only soft bags; hard suitcases will not be allowed on board as they cannot be securely stored and cause damage as they move around.
Eating Arrangements
On a catered Course food for the trip will be onboard when you arrive, do please let us know of any special dietary needs at the time of booking. Time spent in the galley preparing food is minimised and meals are wholesome and home cooked, prepared in advance and loaded into the fridge frozen. There is reasonable space available should you wish to bring some personal preferences. One meal during the Course will generally be taken onshore where the cost is shared, otherwise there are no extra charges.
Clothing
Waterproof foulies should be brought for use on deck. Please wear deck shoes or sea boots (essential for grip on deck, normal wellies are not suitable!). Shoes or trainers with black soles will mark the deck and will not be suitable.
Warm and windproof clothing is essential and, a selection of layers is best to suit varying weather conditions and temperatures. A thermal base layer, jogging bottoms, light trousers which dry quickly, polyester t-shirts, fleece mid-layer, rain-proof jacket, gloves, warm hat, cap (for sun protection), sunglasses for glare. Man-made fibres are best, cotton and woollen fabric is not suitable as it dries slowly and is cold.
The Course – what do we teach you and where do we go
We always begin with a safety briefing and a look at safety equipment and procedures. Our lifejacket policy is that lifejackets must be worn at all times on deck and at sea. Safety is our priority.
The syllabus can be found in RYA G158 which also acts as a personal log of your voyages. We use this as the basis for each course with each student having a turn at most competencies. The aim is to learn and build on skills and safety procedures.
Cruising area – We can head north towards Berwick-upon-Tweed or south towards Whitby, but we do not follow a pre-set route, operating in the broad area of the Northumbrian coast from North Yorkshire to Scotland. You will hopefully enjoy some stunning scenery, quiet anchorages and varied wildlife along the way.
If you have any doubt about which course you should be doing or need further information on any aspect of the course, please call and discuss this with Melvyn, the Principal.
The aim is to maximise training opportunities and use the weather to best advantage. Royal Quays offers a good opportunity for handling under power and pontoon berthing before locking out to visit a variety of ports and anchorages over the duration of the course. A few hours will be spent sailing at night. The highlight of your week may be a visit to the Farnes or Lindisfarne, although this is dependent on the Course and conditions.
RYA Competent Crew
Throughout the course crewing opportunities come thick and fast. Most, if not all, deck work and yacht handling situations will need crew involvement and you’ll reach the end of each day satisfied, as your skill and knowledge increases, having helped run the yacht. Occasionally the dinghy will be used but not to go ashore, which will only be possible when in port or a marina.
Pre Course Experience – No prior experience is required.
RYA Day Skipper
The focus of this practical course is on taking charge of the yacht and directing the crew for shorter exercises; for example berthing, sail handling or pilotage. You’ll build on your theoretical and practical skills. By the end of the course you should feel confident that you can run the yacht safely yourself, by day, in familiar waters.
Pre Course Experience – You should have some experience of cruising under sail and be able to wind sail already. You should also have the Day Skipper theory and the ability to plot the position of the yacht on a paper chart and work out a safe course to steer. A basic understanding of tides and coastal navigation is essential together with the ColRegs. Some experience as skipper is helpful, but not essential, as is familiarity with a chart plotting app such as Navionics. Course Review Tim
RYA Coastal Skipper
This is the most advanced practical course and is aimed at those who want to improve their skill and add to their experience and confidence as skipper. The course covers more testing situations such as handling in confined spaces and dealing with heavy weather. You will be expected to take full charge of the yacht, completing longer passages by day or night.
Pre Course Experience – You need to already have logged experience as a skipper on a suitable yacht and be able to plan and complete longer passages, running the yacht and directing the crew. Your theory should be up to RYA Coastal Yachtmaster standard, including the ability to calculate tidal heights of secondary ports.
Electronic Navigation
This is now ubiquitous and a fundamental part of the course. We have two Raymarine plotters onboard, in the cockpit and the saloon. For those undertaking Day Skipper and above it would be useful to bring an android or IOS tablet loaded with your preferred navigation app.
Emergency contacts and mobile phones.
Mobile contact is possible but cannot be guaranteed. You are requested not to carry your mobile around during instruction or answer any calls that interrupt teaching as this is most distracting for everyone. The boat has a USB and 12v ‘cigarette lighter’ type sockets in the cabins to allow charging; please bring a lead and adaptor.
In the event that your next of kin need to contact you urgently, and cannot reach you, the following emergency numbers should be used;
Melvyn Wallhead (Principal)
Home 0191 281 2018
Mobile 07754 604092
Departure
On most occasions during residential courses we will be back in Royal Quays on the final evening. Your Instructor can finalise any feedback on your progress, perhaps having a meal ashore. The final morning may be spent completing any outstanding parts of the syllabus before packing and cleaning the boat, then setting off for home, usually by 1500 hrs.
And Finally
You will find we are passionate about sailing and by the end of your course maybe you will share some of that enjoyment and be confident that your new found sailing skills can keep you safe on the water. Confidence in your ability to look after yourself and your crew is the key to that enjoyment. We look forward to welcoming you aboard.
Please do let us know if there is anything we can do to make your week with us a memory you will treasure.
Melvyn Wallhead
RYA Instructor
Principal Northumbria Sailing
Sailing Courses
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