| The International Recreational Crew | | | | |
| Certificate is divided into 6 modules, module | | | | The next 5 modules are the International |
| 2 gets us under way and you will be learn | | | | Watchkeeper/Flotilla Skipper Certificate |
| about safety on board a boat and the use of | | | | |
| the life raft and first aid kit, fire | | | | Number 8 is theoretical and looks at the |
| extinguishers, flares, life jackets and | | | | responsibilities of a watchkeeper, charts and |
| safety harnesses. What clothing and footwear | | | | chartwork, the compass, magnetism and |
| is suitable for the varying conditions met | | | | concludes with a look at buoys and marks. |
| while sailing. Seasickness and it's symptoms, | | | | |
| cause and prevention. How various equipment | | | | The next practical module concentrates on |
| works including: battery selector switch, | | | | safety including a briefing that should be |
| bilge pumps, cabin lights, cooker & butane | | | | given to crew members when they join the |
| propane gas, heads and water pumps together | | | | vessel and looks at the galley area which if |
| with general housekeeping rules. You will | | | | not used correctly can be a danger to all |
| learn a very basic theory of how a diesel | | | | those on board. The rest of the section is |
| engine works and maintenance procedures such | | | | devoted to boat handling and develops on the |
| as checking the level of the oil, changing | | | | skills learnt in the International |
| the oil, changing filters, ensuring the flow | | | | Recreational Crew Certificate course. |
| of cooling water to the engine and how to | | | | |
| change impellors. You will be taught how to | | | | Back to theory in the next module with a look |
| keep a good and effective lookout, which | | | | at basic first aid. More work is done with |
| should be maintained at all times, while | | | | the International Regulations for Collision |
| under way. You will take a look at basic | | | | Avoidance. Finally you will take a further |
| navigation, course plotting, nautical charts, | | | | look at marine customs, manners and today's |
| safe passage conditions, tides and currents | | | | ever increasing legal requirements. |
| and weather forecasts. | | | | |
| | | | In module 11, the next practical stage you |
| On the practical side, module 3, you will | | | | will prepare a passage plan, and while |
| learn how to coil a line and secure it to a | | | | undertaking a short passage work still |
| cleat, tie a number of knots and use the | | | | further on boat handling skills. |
| winches. You will learn how to secure the | | | | |
| boat for sea and then how to leave a berth, | | | | This section concludes with an assessment of |
| once under way you will undertake the duties | | | | theoretical knowledge and practical skills |
| of a lookout, learn how to hoist and set the | | | | gained. |
| sails and while helming the boat go through | | | | |
| tack and gybe routines. You will anchor the | | | | You have now reached a level that entitles |
| boat and go through man overboard recovery | | | | you to the International Certificate of |
| drill. | | | | Competence or ICC. It is suggested that the |
| | | | skippers of vessels are required to hold this |
| Module 4 is theoretical and you will look at | | | | by some European countries. I have never been |
| the International Regulations for Collision | | | | asked for mine by the authorities and I know |
| Avoidance or the "rules of the road". | | | | of no one who has. It is also suggested that |
| Specifically looking at lights, shapes, and | | | | some companies require it prior to allowing |
| sound signals. You will look at some more | | | | charter of a boat. Again I have not come |
| sail handling techniques, there is more work | | | | across this in practise. |
| with charts and compass and to conclude you | | | | |
| will take a look at marine customs, etiquette | | | | The next three modules make up the |
| and manners. | | | | International Bareboat Skipper Certificate |
| | | | and the first looks at taking over a vessel |
| The next practical module includes safety | | | | and the necessary checks on hull and rig, |
| checks and look at the through hull fittings, | | | | machinery and systems, instruments, safety |
| engine warning lights and alarms and the | | | | equipment, spares, tools, fuel, water and |
| emergency fuel cut off. You will learn deck | | | | provisions. It looks at tides and currents |
| seamanship with more docking and mooring | | | | and what causes them. You will learn how to |
| routines. More sail work, bending on, | | | | use tide tables and gain an understanding |
| hoisting, lowering, reefing mainsails, | | | | primary and secondary ports. There is some |
| handling sheets, lines, halyards, outhauls | | | | more chartwork that includes position fixing |
| and sail trim. You will learn more skills at | | | | and plotting a course to steer to counteract |
| the helm, tacking, gybing, sailing a | | | | a current. The section concludes with a look |
| triangular course, sailing a compass course | | | | at the responsibilities of the Skipper, their |
| and heaving to. | | | | communication with and delegation to the |
| | | | crew. |
| Module 6 looks at both theory and practise of | | | | |
| Dinghy/Tender handling. You will learn the | | | | On the practical side you will develop |
| different types of tenders, engines, spares | | | | sailing skills with more general deck work, |
| and maintenance and safety equipment. On the | | | | ropes, knots, splices, the care and use of |
| practical side you will learn to row, how to | | | | lines. There is more vessel handling work |
| move under power, launch and recover and | | | | including anchoring, berthing, mooring, |
| transfer to and from the dinghy to the boat | | | | handling in confined areas and handling with |
| or dock. | | | | currents. |
| | | | |
| This section concludes with an assessment of | | | | This section concludes with module 16 and |
| theoretical knowledge and practical skills | | | | includes a look at the weather and sources of |
| gained. At the of this course you will be a | | | | weather information, personal observations, |
| useful crew member on any small yacht. | | | | weather patterns, land and sea breezes, the |
| | | | different cloud formations, rain and fog. You |
| The Radio Operator/Communications Certificate | | | | will learn pilotage. There is an in depth |
| is a stand alone module. You will learn how | | | | look at passage planning including pilot |
| to operate a radio including emergency calls, | | | | books, almanacs, considerations for passage |
| calling ship to ship, ship to shore, the | | | | planning, coastal passages, passage strategy, |
| types of marine radios available and the | | | | port regulations, pilotage plans. Finally you |
| regulations governing it's use. An | | | | will take a further look at the International |
| examination concludes the course. | | | | Regulations for Collision Avoidance. |