COMPETENT CREW
Welcome to our Competent Crew Course
​
This course is not only for beginners you will be learning important skills and techniques that will be the foundation of any future sailing courses. There is no minimum age for this course and is a great course to introduce children to sailing.
Experience living on board and really get to know the boat. Virtually all the course is hands on.
By the end of the course you should be able to steer, all points of sail, compass course, tacking gybing, using the winches, etc. You should also have visited some interesting places and had an enjoyable holiday.
​​
​Requirements & Outcomes​
​
Pre-course experience: None
Assumed knowledge: None
Minimum duration: 5 days. Often run over 3 weekends or 3 days plus a weekend. If you have done the Start Yachting course, this course can be completed in 3 or 4 days
Minimum age: None
​
Course content
​
Knowledge of sea terms and parts of a boat her rigging and sails, Sail handling, Ropework, Fire precautions and fighting, Personal safety equipment, Man overboard, Emergency equipment, Meteorology, Seasickness, Helmsmanship, General duties, Manners and customs, Rules of the road, Dinghies
Ability after the course able to steer, Handle sails, Keep a lookout, Row a dinghy and assist in all the day to day routines
​​
Course Programme
​
Sunday
20.00 Arrive at Alcaidesa Marina and meet at Alcaidesa Loungue Bar
Meet the instructor and board the yacht
Stow personal kit
Instructor's safety briefing and yacht familiarization talk
​
Monday
0900 Breakfast and get weather forecast
Recap safety procedures on deck. Introduction to deck gear, ropes and rigging and various parts of the yacht.
Engine start controls and rigging/slipping of mooring lines and fenders
Slip mooring and sail into Gibraltar Bay giving everyone a chance to steer the yacht
Practice coming alongside and leaving various pontoons
Short sail to an anchorage giving everyone the chance to set the sails using the sheets
1300 Lunch at anchorage
Discuss the use of life rafts
Practice the basic points of sail with each person having the opportunity to helm
Practice putting in and shaking out reefs
Practice headsail changes or furling
Sail to overnight destination practising what a crew member should do in the event of a Man Overboard situation
Enter harbour and moor up. Stow sails and tidy up on and below deck.
Dinghy rowing drills followed by debrief on the day's events
​
Tuesday
0900 Breakfast and get weather forecast
Prepare the yacht for sea and undertake a passage to an anchorage for lunch. On route each crew member will experience helming the yacht on different points of sail.
Learn how to tie the basic three knots used by sailors and when they are used
Prepare to enter anchorage. Learn how to prepare the anchor and foredeck in anticipation of arrival
1300 Lunch at anchorage
​
Set sail for evening destination learning the basic collision regulations on route
1700 Arrive at a new harbour and prepare supper
Debrief the day's events
​
Wednesday
0900 Breakfast and get weather forecast
Carry out some more manoeuvring under power using pontoons and mooring buoys
1300 Lunch at anchorage
Depart to evening destination. Practice tacking, gybing and general sail trim on route
Practice steering a compass course and maintaining a lookout
Supper prepared on route
Each student practices MOB on route
Arrive at new harbour and learn how to secure to a town wall. General discussion about emergency procedures
Debrief on the day's events
​
​
Thursday
0900 Breakfast and get weather forecast
Practice mooring in harbour
Set sail for lunch time destination practising Man Overboard on route
Practice taking sights with the hand bearing compass and keeping a look out
1300 Lunch at anchorage
Depart for evening destination with discussion on route about weather and some more information on collision regulations
​
Friday
0900 Breakfast and get weather forecast
Sail back to Alcaidesa Marina practising all aspects
1300 Lunch at anchorage
Arrive back at Alcaidesa Marina
Clean up yacht, return wet weather gear followed by debrief and issue of certificates
1600 Depart
​
Courses normally start on Monday at 9:00 and finish 16:00 on Friday.
You are welcome to join the boat on the Sunday at 20:00 and depart the boat at 10:00 on Saturday. We normally meet up in Alcaidesa Marina Lounge Bar.
​
​
Recommended books:
