Intermediate Cruising Course:
This course includes, but is not limited to the following:
Prerequisites: Basic Cruising
General Description: An intermediate cruising standard for individuals with cruising experience. A certified student can act as skipper or crew of a 30 - 50 foot boat sailing by day in coastal waters. Knowledge of boat systems and maintenance included.
I. Sailing Knowledge
· State and discuss planning issues for longer cruising, including fuel and water capacity, first aid kit, menu planning and provisioning, galley procedures, spare parts, documents and procedures for crossing international borders.
· Describe and discuss what actions to be taken during various engine problems.
· Describe two methods of a COB recovery.
· Describe the information required and the procedure for tying a boat to a fixed dock in areas with a large tidal range.
· State the factors to be considered before allowing anyone to go swimming while at anchor.
· Describe methods of rafting at anchor and potential dangers.
· Describe proper usage and launching of a dinghy and outboard engine at anchor.
· Describe the proper operating procedures for the marine head and list precautions that prevent malfunction.
· Describe the common courtesies and customs of yachtsmen.
II. Sailing Skills
· Perform routine daily and weekly maintenance procedures on an engine, troubleshooting.
· Check that all systems and equipment on the boat are in working order, demonstrate proper operation and knowledge of safety procedures relating to them.
· Locate and check condition of all Coast Guard required equipment aboard.
· Apply COLREGS (Navigation Rules), rules 1 -19 to maintain safe navigation.
· Maneuver the boat under power in a confined space, docking and mooring under various conditions.
· Demonstrate suitable methods and precautions while launching and towing a dinghy.
· Demonstrate two different ways of returning to a person overboard in moderate winds.
· Sail a compass course with sails set properly while reaching and running.
· Sail efficiently on all points of sail using telltails, Windex or electronic instrumentation to trim sails for maximum performance.
· Sail using a cruising spinnaker - Launching, trimming, dousing and packing the cruising spinnaker.
· Read a nautical chart and identify corresponding landmarks and aids to navigation.
· Plot a course and determine compass heading and E.T.A., plot visual bearings.
· Determine the depth above or below chart datum using tide tables.
· Pilot a boat into an unfamiliar harbor or anchorage by day using a nautical chart and tidal information.
· Obtain and interpret the marine forecast, adjust daily sail plan accordingly.
· Set and retrieve two anchors, establish anchor watch.
· Act as skipper and crew on a live-aboard cruise of at least 48 hours.