Sail-Excalibur

1. Passage planning
* Passage planning accounting for pilotage and weather risks
* Planning harbour entries and exits with special emphasis on tides and currents
* Planning ports of call and refuge
* Ability to cater properly
* Preparation of necessary charts and publications
* Knowledge of port leave procedures

2. Preparation to leave port
* Preparing and checking safety equipment
* Managing a crew, setting a watch rota, assigning duties
* Checking the engine
* Ability to debrief the crew and inform of safety principles

3. Pilotage
* Planning harbour entries and exits with special emphasis on buoys and other aids – echo sounder, transit
* Pilotage ability both day and night

4. Skippering a cruise
* Controlling the situation onboard
* Organizing work on and below deck
* Identifying the weaknesses and strengths of crewmembers for proper work assignment
* Navigation
* Using the GPS and other electronic aids

5. Boat handling under power
* Ability to steer a yacht in different weather and tidal conditions
* Ability to come alongside in a marina and to pick up a mooring in different weather and tidal conditions

6. Boat handling under sail
* Ability to control a yacht by sails
* Ability to moor and anchor in different weather and tidal conditions
* Ability to trim the sails and benefit from their efficiency

7. Navigation in poor weather conditions
* Preparing the yacht and crew to heavy weather
* Navigation in limited visibility (fog)

8. Emergency situations
* “Man overboard” procedures
* Rescue operation procedures including helicopter rescue