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AFLOAT SKILLS 
 
 
Note: Boat should be 8 to 12 meters long, sloop rigged with an inboard engine.

The candidate must be able to:
 
1.
Perform routine daily and weekly maintenance procedures on engine;
2.
Check all CYA recommended equipment aboard regarding its stowage and condition;
3.
Sail a vessel of the given size as both skipper and crew:
a.         on all points of sail, tacking, gybing, and sailing to weather efficiently,
b.        execute a series of tacks from close hauled to close hauled (six in ten minutes) using appropriate commands, without oversteering or loosing boat speed unduly;
c.         execute a series of gybes while running (six in ten minutes) using appropriate commands, without losing control of the boom or steering;
d.        using the appropriate commands for all turns and changes of tack, assume any point of sail as directed and adjust sails and trim appropriately within a maximum of three minutes;
e.        sail a close hauled course (within 5 degrees) with sails set, keeping foresail telltales flying efficiently and boat moving well for a five minute period;
f.          sail a compass course with sails set properly, with no land references for a minimum of five minutes; and
4.
Manoeuvre the boat under power in a minimum space;
5.
Reef the main sail while underway in an efficient manner;
6.
Stop the bow of the boat within 4 feet of a fixed marker in various wind and sea conditions while under power in order to pick up a buoy;
7.
Dock with stern or bow to dock or shore using a bow or stern anchor;
8.
Apply Rules 1 through 19, 40 and 45 of the Collision Regulations;
9.
Demonstrate the use of a spring line to spring a vessel off of and on to a dock;
10.
Demonstrate basic use of the VHF marine radio, including Safety, Distress and Urgency calling procedures;
11.
Check out that all systems on boat are in working order; engine, stove, electronics, sails, hull, deck hardware etc;
12.
Prepare a suitable hot meal aboard the vessel while in harbour, demonstrating suitable choice of food and drink and economy of resources;
13.
Demonstrate suitable methods and precautions while towing a dinghy;
14.
 Demonstrate how to take soundings using electronic and manual methods;
15.
Demonstrate the ‘triangle method’ and one alternative method (i.e. quick stop, fast return, life sling, etc.) of returning to a crew overboard in daytime in moderate winds safely and efficiently with in three minutes using appropriate communications, commands and a spotter;
16.
 Identify sources of navigation information and local knowledge;
17.
Lay off a course and determine compass heading and Estimated Time of Arrival (ETA) (assuming no current or leeway);
18.
Read a chart and identify corresponding landmarks and aids to navigation;
19.
Take a fix using visual bearings;
20.
 Determine the depth above or below chart datum and apply;
21.
Pilot a vessel into unfamiliar harbour or anchorage by day using charts and publications and application of passage planning techniques;
22.
Throw a heaving line to a target a distance of 10 meters away, within 2 meters, in three out of five attempts;
23.
Tie a rolling hitch;
24.
Obtain and interpret the Marine forecast;
25.
Act as skipper or responsible crew on a live-aboard cruise of at least 48 hours;
26.
With specific reference to the vessels engine;
a.         Describe and identify the following engine systems:
            1. ignition;
            2. electrical;
            3. fuel;
            4. propulsion;
            5. cooling; and
b.        Describe the dangers of excessive engine cranking
    

ENDORSEMENTS - Flying Sails
 
1.
Pack, set, hoist, fly, gybe and douse a cruising spinnaker;
Marlinspike Seamanship
2.
Make an eye splice in laid line;
3.
Whip a line