Duration of course: 9 days
THEORY – 4 days
This course provides a comprehensive introduction to chartwork, navigation, meteorology and the basics of seamanship and covers the following topics:

1. Nautical terms
• Parts of a boat and hull
• General nautical terminology
2. Ropework
• Knowledge of the properties of synthetic ropes in common use
3. Anchorwork
• Characteristics of different types of anchor
• Considerations to be taken into account when anchoring
4. Safety
• Knowledge of the safety equipment to be carried, its stowage and use
• Fire precaustions and fire fighting
• Use of personal safety equipment, harnesses and lifejackets
• Ability to send a distress signal by VHF radiotelephone
• Basic knowledge of rescue procedures including helicopter rescue
5. International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea
• Steering and sailing rules
• General rules
6. Definition of position, course and speed
• Latitude and longitude
• Knowledge of standard navigational terms
• True bearings and courses
• The knot
7. Navigational charts and publications
• Information shown on charts, chart symbols and representation of direction and distance
• Navigational publications in common use
• Chart correction
8. Navigational drawing instruments
• Use of parallel rulers, dividers and proprietary plotting instruments
9. Compass
• Application of variation
• Awareness of deviation and its causes
• Use of hand-bearing compass
10. Chartwork
• Dead reckoning and estimated position including an awareness of leeway
• Techniques of visual fixing
• Satellite-derived positions
• Use of waypoints to fix position
• Course to steer
11. Tides and tidal streams
• Tidal definitions, levels and datum
• Tide tables
• Use of admiralty method of determining tidal height at standard port and awareness of corrections for secondary ports
• Use of tidal diamonds and tidal stresam atlases for chartwork
12. Visual aids to navigation
• Lighthouses and beacons, light characteristics
13. Meteorology
• Sources of broadcast meteorological information
• Knowledge of terms used in shipping forecasts, including the Beaufort scale, and their significance to small craft
• Basic knowledge of highs, lows and fronts
14. Passage planning
• Preparation of navigational plan for short coastal passages
• Meteorological considerations in planning short coastal passages
• Use of waypoints on passage
• Importance of confirmation of position by an independent source
• Keeping a navigational record
15. Navigation in restricted visibility
• Precautions to be taken in, and limitations imposed by, fog
16. Pilotage
• Use of transits, leading lines and clearing lines
• IALA system of buoyage ro Region A
• Use of sailing directions
• Pilotage plans and harbour entry
17. Marine environment
• Responsibility for avoiding pollutin and pretecting the marine environment

PRACTICAL – 5 days
The scope of the course includes basic pilotage, boat handling, seamanship and navigation.
This course introduces the students to the following fundamental topics necessary to be able to skipper a yacht:

1. Preparation for sea
• Is able to prepare a yacht for sea, including engine checks, selection of sails, securing and stowage of all gear on deck and below
2. Deck work
• Can reef, shake out reefs and change sails to suit prevailing conditions
• Can prepare an anchor, mooring warps and take charge on deck when mooring alongside, coming to buoy, anchoring, weighing anchor and slipping from a buoy or an alongside berth
3. Navigation
   Is proficient in chartwork and routine navigational duties on passage including:
• Taking and plotting visual fixes
• Use of electronic navigation equipment for position fixing
• Use of waypoints
• Working up DR and EP
• Estimating tidal heights and tidal streams
• Working out course to steer to allow for tidal stream, leeway and drift
• Knowledge of IALA buoyage
• Maintenance of navigational records
• Use of echo sounder and lead line
4. Pilotage
• Can prepare and execute a pilotage plan for entry into, or departure from, harbour
• Understands the use of leading and clearing lines
• Use of transits and soundings as aids to pilotage
5. Meteorology
• Knows sources of forecast information
• Can interpret shipping forecasts and use a barometer as a forecasting aid
6. Rules of the road
• Has a working knowledge of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea
7. Maintenance and repair work
• Understands and is able to carry out maintenance tasks
• Knows the properties and uses of common synthetic fibre ropes
8. Engines
• Knows how to change fuel and water filters, pump impeller and how to bleed the fuel system
9. Victualling
• Understands how to victual a yacht
10. 10. Emergency situations
• Is able to take correct action as skipper for recovery of man overboard
• Understands distress flares and how to use a liferaft
• Can operate a radiotelephone in an emergency and send a distress message
• Understands how to secure a tow
• Understands rescue procedures including helicopter rescue
11. Yacht handling under power
• Can bring a boat safely to and from an alongside berth, mooring buoy and anchor under various conditions of wind and tide
12. Yacht handling under sail
• Can bring a boat safely to and from a mooring buoy and anchor under various conditions of wind and tide
• Can steer and trim sails effectively on all points of sailing
13. Passage making
• Can plan and make a coastal passage, taking account of relevant navigational hazards and limitations imposed by the type of boat and the strength of the crew
14. Night cruising
• Has experienced sail cruising at night, including leaving and entering harbour.
• Understands the special consideration for pilotage plans, keeping a lookout and identifying marks by night

Transport Move Close National and some international flights land at Cape Town International Airport. The airport is approximately an hour’s drive from our office in Langebaan. Car rentals from airport/Cape Town There are drop-off points for the following rental car companies in Langebaan: Avis Telephone/Fax number: +27 (0)22 772 2807 Europcar Telephone/Fax number: +27 (0)22 772 1006 Airport transfers Cape Shuttles Contact person: Bill Spurling Contact number: +27 (0)82 677 4672 E-mail address: bilros@telkomsa.net

Move Close ARRIVAL ARRANGEMENTS If the need be, we can assist you in making arrangements to meet your transport and alternative accommodation needs. We make use of a registered shuttle service between Cape Town and Langebaan. EVENING BEFORE COURSE STARTS (only by prior arrangement) We can meet you the day before your course starts between 17:00 and 18:00 at our office. Please make arrangements with our office prior to your arrival. THE MORNING THE COURSE STARTS Please meet us at the Atlantic Yachting Office at the Club Mykonos Marina, Agora Square at 08:30. After the first day theory courses will commence at 08:30am and finish by 17:00.