Coastal Skipper Certificate Sail
This certificate is generally recognized as the minimum requirement to charter cruising vessels in coastal waters subject to the following criteria:
The holder is certified as the Skipper, to be responsible for the safety of his/her vessel and crew, while cruising in a vessel in coastal waters, where navigational hazards exist, in daylight with good visibility with wind speeds up to 25 knots.
Coastal Skipper Certificate
To be certified as Coastal Skipper, the candidate must hold a Coastal Navigator Certificate, VHF radio operators license, meet all of the requirements of the Day Skipper/Operator Certificate and have attained all of the following endorsements.
"Seamanship Sail 3" and "Cruising Spinnaker" Endorsements
Collision Avoidance 2
Weather 2 - ?Coastal Meteorology?
Boat Systems
Health and Safety
Auxiliary Engines One of Group A, B, or C.
Seamanship Sail 3 Endorsement
Demonstrate fine trim using telltales on both genoa and main ÿ
Demonstrate the following:
anchoring with two anchors off the bow to minimize swing ÿ
anchoring with two anchors off the bow to add holding power against strong wind or sea or current ÿ
anchoring with two anchors, one off the bow and one off the stern OR where the stern is secured to the shore, no room to swing in a small anchorage ÿ
anchoring with two anchors, one off the bow and one off the stern to keep the vessel?s bow up into the waves ÿ
the use of a bow or stern anchor when docked between other vessels to hold the vessel off ÿ
the use of a breast anchor to hold the vessel off an obstruction ÿ
describe three methods of freeing a buried anchor ÿ
describe the use of a trip line and anchor buoy ÿ
Demonstrate or describe the following:
tying to a fixed dock allowing for a tidal range of 0-8 feet ÿ
the pros and cons of rafting to another sailboat
on a federal dock ÿ at anchor ÿ
the proper care of a dinghy including stowing, towing, carrying on deck, securing at the dock and at anchor ÿ
Describe where and when the national flag, courtesy flag and club burgee are flown on a vessel ÿ
While acting as the Skipper of a vessel, demonstrate the following under sail:
sail onto and off a mooring buoy ÿ
retrieve a Man Overboard buoy using the heave to procedure ÿ
retrieve a Man Overboard buoy using the downwind procedure ÿ
the use of a cunningham or downhaul, outhaul, main halyard, baby stay, backstay, mainsheet and traveler to de-power and power up the mainsail ÿ
the use of the jib sheet and fairlead car to de-power and power up the foresail ÿ
heave to and reef the main single handed ÿ
Demonstrate the following under power:
use of depth sounder and lead line to determine actual depth and compare with the chart and tide and current tables ÿ
use of knot meter and engine r.p.m. to determine hull speed and an economical cruising speed ÿ
in marina conditions, turn the vessel through 360 degrees around its keel using forward and reverse, minimum engine r.p.m. and the effects of prop walk ÿ
a holding pattern in a marina ÿ
docking the vessel against wind and current using only one crew member ÿ
Cruising Spinnaker Endorsement
Set, fly, gybe, douse and pack a cruising spinnaker [gennaker]. ÿ
While flying a cruising spinnaker act consecutively as helm, trimmer and crew:
sail a beam reach ÿ
gybe from broad reach to broad reach ÿ
sail downwind wing on wing ÿ
Collision Avoidance 2 Endorsement
With the use of diagrams, paper models etc. be able to apply International Collision Regulations:
Weather 2 - ?Coastal Meteorology? Endorsement
Using VHF radio, accurately describe the weather forecast for the area to be navigated. ÿ
Demonstrate the use of the Marine Weather Hazards or similar Weather Hazards publication for the region. ÿ
Describe the weather, which is part of the formation of coastal cumulus clouds. ÿ
Describe what weather patterns to expect from cold and warm fronts. ÿ
Describe or identify the basic cloud layers. ÿ
Describe three types of fog formation and at what time of year they are most prevalent. ÿ
Describe the difference between "Sea" and "Swell". ÿ
Describe local wind effects, including "Lee effect" and "Convective gusts". ÿ
Boat Systems Endorsement
Describe the different types of marine batteries, how to manage the vessel?s electrical power supply, safe use of shore power and the danger that exists when charging batteries. ÿ
Describe the drinking /fresh water system, how to fill, location of tanks and valves, the operation of a hot water system, including the usage of the systems and the principles of onboard water consumption and conservation. ÿ
Explain the safety aspects related to different types of cooking stoves and the fuels they run on [be able to list the hazards of each type] ÿ
Demonstrate the safe procedure to turn the stove on the training vessel on and off. ÿ
Describe what methods can be utilized to safely use the stove for cooking while underway and understand how to handle any fuel leak or fire emergencies. ÿ
List the different types of cabin heaters. ÿ
Marine head: explain how it works, basic trouble shooting, the dangers associated with holding tanks. ÿ
Describe how a simple steering system works. ÿ
Health and Safety Endorsement
Draft a personal provision list and menu with at least one cooked evening meal a day, for a party of four, for a six day coastal cruise, in summer weather. ÿ
Describe how and where to stow food to minimize damage. ÿ
Describe the most effective use of an icebox or fridge. ÿ
Organize and cook a meal for four. ÿ
State the fundamental causes of seasickness, describe the early signs and the progressive steps to take to make the patient as comfortable as possible. ÿ
Produce a personal First Aid Kit or list of the requirements for such a kit similar to that as recommended by either Red Cross or St. John?s Ambulance for a cruising holiday. ÿ
Describe the conditions likely to cause hypothermia, recognition of symptoms, the stages of hypothermia, and treatment. ÿ
Instruct the crew on the proper use of the marine head. ÿ
Describe the dangers of diving and swimming from a vessel and how to board without the availability of a swim ladder. ÿ
Demonstrate a Man Overboard procedure appropriate to the conditions which will facilitate the recovery of a person knocked overboard while under sail. ÿ
Describe 2 methods of lifting an unconscious person back on board. ÿ
Describe in detail the entry procedures for both Customs and Immigration for the country of operation. ÿ
Describe how to avoid heatstroke, dehydration and sunburn. ÿ
To receive the Auxiliary Engines endorsement the candidate is required to complete one of the following groups, depending on the training vessel.
Auxiliary Engines Endorsement
General
Know the capacity of the fuel tank on the vessel and be able to follow the fuel lines through the system to the carburetor or fuel injectors, describing how the system works, the accuracy of fuel gauges and the requirement to log engine running time to minimize the risk of running out of fuel. ÿ
Prepare a personal list of tools and spare parts to enable the skipper to troubleshoot effectively while coastal cruising. ÿ
Group A Outboard engines:
Identify all of the following outboard motor parts:
tilt mechanism, propeller, shear pin, exhaust and water exit port, anti cavitation plate, mounting brackets and screw clamps, engine cover, gear shift lever, spark plugs, spark-plug leads, choke, throttle, start pull cord, kill switch ÿ
Describe how to safely fit and remove an outboard motor to a vessel. ÿ
Demonstrate the ability to start and stop an outboard engine using correct procedures and checks. ÿ
Describe the basic ignition system and reasons for failure. ÿ
Describe the flow of water through the cooling system and show where the flow could be interrupted. ÿ
Describe the routine checks required on this type of engine. ÿ
Describe the action required when the engine:
will not start ÿ
runs well then stalls ÿ
overheats ÿ
has excessive blue smoke emissions ÿ
vibrates excessively ÿ
Group B Inboard Engines Gas
Group C Inboard/Outboard Engines Gas
Identify all of the following parts:
ignition switch, starting solenoid, starter motor, choke, intake manifold, carburetor, flame arrestor, exhaust manifold, exhaust and raw water exit port, mountings, lever, spark plugs, spark-plug leads, coil, distributor, throttle, kill switch water pump, alternator, drive belts, coolant reservoir, heat exchanger, drip pans ÿ
State:
why a gas engine can be dangerous ÿ
requirements for ventilation, flame arrestor, drip pans ÿ
Describe the basic ignition system and reasons for failure. ÿ
Describe the flow of water through the cooling system and show where the flow could be interrupted. ÿ
Explain the transfer of heat from the engine internal cooling system to the raw water system ÿ
Describe the procedure to change a raw water pump impeller ÿ
Describe the routine checks required on this type of engine. ÿ
Describe the action required when the engine:
will not start ÿ
runs well then stalls ÿ
overheats ÿ
has excessive blue smoke emissions ÿ
has excessive black smoke emissions ÿ
vibrates excessively ÿ
Check the alternator and pump belts and know how to change them ÿ
Group B Inboard Engines Diesel
Group C Inboard/Outboard Engines Diesel
Identify the following;
starting switch, plug pre heat switch, starting solenoid, starter motor air intake manifold, injectors, injector pump, low fuel supply lines and low pressure pump, exhaust manifold, exhaust and raw water exit port, mountings, kill switch solenoid and kill switch, drive belts, water pump, alternator, coolant reservoir, heat exchanger, drip pans ÿ
Complete the daily engine checks ÿ
Check the alternator and pump belts and know how to change them ÿ
Trace the raw water cooling system from the intake sea cock through to the exhaust and describe how to fault find throughout the whole system ÿ
Identify the following;
cutlass bearing, gear shift, gear box, stuffing box, stern gland, engine/propeller flange coupling ÿ
Explain the transfer of heat from the engine internal cooling system to the raw water system ÿ
Describe the procedure to change a raw water pump impeller ÿ
Describe the steps to be taken to prime a diesel fuel system ÿ
Please Note
Operator licensing in many states in the US, and depending on age and vessel size in Canada, is already mandatory.
On Completion of the Competent Crew and Day Skipper Course you can write the exam for:
Either
Canadian Coast Guard Pleasure Craft Operator Card
Or
National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (US) Certificate.