Day Skipper Practical

Vessel readiness

• 1.1Prepares yacht for sea including engine, sails, safety and stowage
• 1.2Briefs crew on safety equipment and procedures

Sail changes and reefing

• 2.1Reefs, shakes out and changes sails to suit prevailing conditions

Anchoring

• 2.2Chooses anchorage, sets and weighs anchor, uses appropriate scope

Chartwork & position fixing

• 3.1Navigates using GPS and traditional methods within sight of land
• 3.2Uses tidal heights and streams for passage planning

Pilotage

• 3.3Plans and executes pilotage into unfamiliar harbours by day

Forecasts

• 4.1Obtains, interprets and acts on shipping/inshore forecasts

IRPCS applied

• 5.1Applies steering and sailing rules and lights/shapes/sound signals

Routine care

• 6.1Understands day-to-day maintenance of engine, gas and domestic systems

Diesel operation

• 7.1Carries out engine checks, bleeds fuel, changes impeller

Stores and catering

• 8.1Plans victualling for a day sail or short passage

MOB & distress

• 9.1Performs MOB recovery under sail and power
• 9.2Uses distress signals appropriately

Manoeuvring

• 10.1Handles yacht in confined waters ahead and astern, berthing and unberthing

Sailing manoeuvres

• 11.1Tacks, gybes, heaves-to and picks up a mooring under sail

Day passages

• 12.1Plans and undertakes short coastal passages, keeping a navigational log

Night sailing

• 13.1Experiences a period of sailing at night, identifying lights and buoys