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Practical Skills
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Knowledge
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| Preparation to Sail: |
- Demonstrate ability to recognize and forecast prevailing local weather conditions.
- Perform an inspection of running rigging, standing rigging and hull integrity.
- Check the inventory, location and operation of required safety equipment.
- Check the auxiliary power systems (as applicable to your boat): location and operation of engine controls, engine mechanical and fluids check, transmission controls, ventilation system and cooling system.
- Check the electrical system (as applicable to your boat): main battery switch, electrical control panel and battery terminals.
- Check the bilge pump system (as applicable to your boat): operation of manual and electrical pumps, intake maintenance and bilge pump alarms.
- Check the head systems (as applicable to your boat): location of controls, equipment operation, holding tanks and proper setting of valves.
- Check the fresh water system (as applicable to your boat): adequate quantity, operation of manual and electrical pumps, and proper setting of valves.
- Check the anchoring system (as applicable to your boat): anchors, shackles, rodes, chafing equipment and windlass.
- Check all other equipment specific to your boat not indicated above.
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| Crew Operations and Skills: |
- Demonstrate winch operation and the proper procedure for clearing a fouled winch.
- Demonstrate tying and use of knots: clove hitch, sheet bend and rolling hitch. Review stopper knot, bowline, cleat hitch, round turn & two half hitches and sail lashing knot.
- Demonstrate how to heave a line.
- Demonstrate the use of sail controls: halyards, sheets, traveler, cunningham/downhaul, outhaul, adjustable backstay (if applicable), boom vang, leech lines, jib fairleads and boom toppinglift.
- Demonstrate the operation of a VHF radio: operation of controls, channel usage, call sign, weather channels and simulate an emergency call.
- Demonstrate a comprehensive crew briefing and plan of responsibilities.
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- Describe typical crew responsibilities and communications while aboard an auxiliary powered cruising sailboat.
- Explain weather recognition and forecasting techniques for a day sail.
- Explain the sequence for determining blocked engine cooling system circulation.
- Understand the different types and operation of stoves, and fuel systems.
- Describe the use of sail controls.Be familiar with the use of a float plan.
- Understand your state and local boating regulations.
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| Leaving the Dock or Mooring: |
- Demonstrate appropriate helmsman and crew coordination and skills for departure under power suitable to the conditions: line handling, casting off, fending off and boathandling.
- Demonstrate the use of docklines, including springlines, for boat control while departing.
- Demonstrate stowing of docklines and fenders.
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- Understand the effects of wind, tide and currents in relation to the boat and surrounding area, while preparing to get underway.
- Describe the differences and alternatives for leaving under power in upwind, crosswind and downwind situations.
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| Sailing Theory: |
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- Describe sailboat dynamics: Center of Effort, Center of Lateral Resistance, and effects and influences of lee and weather helm.
- Describe real and apparent wind, and their relationship to each other.
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| Boat Control in Confined Waters: |
- Demonstrate in close quarters under power: speed and momentum control, windage and prop walk control, and command of the crew.
- Demonstrate ability to maneuver under sail in close quarters: short tacking and controlled jibes.
- Demonstrate a recovery plan for an engine failure in a crowded and busy harbor.
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| Navigation (Piloting): |
- Demonstrate ability to identify chart symbols and corresponding visual observations.
- Demonstrate basic dead reckoning: plotting course and position, calculating time/speed/distance, taking bearings and fixes.
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- Be familiar with magnetic influences that may disrupt compass readings.
- Understand variation and describe the use of compass rose.
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| Navigation Rules, International-Inland: |
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- Know the Navigation Rules, International-Inland, Rules 4 through 10 for steering and sailing.
- Describe the Navigation Rules, International-Inland, for Stand-On and Give-Way sailboats and powerboats for collision avoidance and understand your state and local boating regulations.
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| Boat Control in Open Water: |
- Demonstrate ability to steer a compass course with changes in course to a given destination.
- Demonstrate helm and boat control in a variety of wind and sea conditions.
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- Explain the dangers of a lee shore.
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| Heavy Weather Sailing: |
- Demonstrate proper reefing techniques: determining when to reef, roller furling or changing headsails, reefing the mainsail, dropping sails, shaking out a reef, and rehoisting underway.
- Demonstrate helm and boat control while sailing under shortened sail.
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| Overboard Recovery Methods: |
- Properly demonstrate one of the overboard recovery methods, which is most appropriate for: your sailing ability, boat type, crew experience, wind and sea conditions, and maintaining constant visual contact with the victim.
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- Understand the Quick-Stop, Lifesling-type, and Quick-Turn overboard recovery methods under sail to include: constant visual contact with the victim, communications, recovery plan, sequence of maneuvers, boathandling, course sailed, pickup approach and coming alongside the victim (or simulated object).
- Describe methods of getting an overboard recovery victim back on deck after the vessel is stopped alongside.
- Explain when overboard recovery should be done under power and the inherent dangers.
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| Safety and Emergency Procedures: |
- Simulate procedure and operation of VHF radio in various emergency situations.
- Simulate failure of steering system, and demonstrate steering and boat control with sails.
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- Describe recovery methods after going aground.
- Be familiar with fire fighting equipment on board: regulations, types, location and operation.
- Be familiar with the location and operation of emergency steering system and boat control during failure of the steering system.
- Understand towing techniques: maneuvering onto a tow, handling and securing a towline, chafing protection, boat speed, dropping off a tow and communications.
- Describe the proper function of lifelines and pulpits.
- Explain proper fueling techniques and potential hazards.
- Explain the purpose and use of a radar reflector.
- Be familiar with the U.S. Coast Guard safety requirements for auxiliary powered vessels.
- Be familiar with at least six distress or emergency signals.
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| Anchoring Techniques: |
- Select an anchorage, and demonstrate appropriate helmsman and crew coordination and skills for properly anchoring with a single anchor under power.
- Demonstrate appropriate helmsman and crew coordination and skills for retrieving your anchor under power.
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- Explain different types of anchors and various bottom conditions suited for each type.
- Explain how to determine the required scope of an anchor rode.
- Describe accepted etiquette when anchoring in the vicinity of other boats.
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| Returning to the Dock or Mooring: |
- Demonstrate appropriate helmsman and crew coordination and skills for arrival under power suitable to the conditions: boathandling, deploying fenders, stopping and tying up.
- Demonstrate correct use and deployment of docklines, including springlines.
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- Describe the differences and alternatives for arrival under power in upwind, crosswind and downwind situations.
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| Securing the Boat Properly: |
- Demonstrate stowing of sails, rigging and equipment. Thoroughly clean the boat, and install any covers and dock power equipment.
- Check both the electrical and bilge systems for dock operation.
- Check the locks on companionway, lockers and hatches. Make a final check of docklines, spring lines and fender placement.
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