Coastal Skipper Fast Track

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RYA/YA Accredited

Aim

The aim of the RYA Coastal Skipper Fast Track Sailing Program is to provide fully comprehensive tuition up to the requirement of Coastal Skipper.  The 4 week course is designed to take you through the RYA program including Competent Crew, Day Skipper and then Coastal Skipper Practical requirements as well as Day Skipper and Coastal Skipper Theory.   By the end of the course you will be able to safely plan and enter any harbour or safely navigate along the coast line by day or night.  The Coastal Skipper has the knowledge needed to skipper a yacht on coastal cruises but does not necessarily have the experience needed to undertake longer passages.

Includes

•       RYA Competent Crew to Coastal Skipper Practical sailing courses
•       Accommodation on board yachts during practical sailing (no weekend practical sailing)
•       All meals except main meals on weekends
•       600 + nautical miles sailing
•       20 days living on board
•       2 days as skipper
•       12 night hours
•       All practical and theory RYA certificates
•       All text books and theory materials (Online)

To receive you Coastal Skipper Certificate of Competency from the RYA, the minimum age limit for award of a certificate is 17 years old.

To take the RYA practical examination for Certificate of Competence, candidates require;

•       Radio Operator’s Qualification – A restricted (VHF only) Radio Operator’s Certificate or a GMDSS Short Range Certificate or higher grade of marine radio certificate.  (Optional Extra)
•       First Aid – A valid First Aid Certificate.  First Aid qualifications held by Police, Fire and Armed Services are also acceptable.  (Optional Extra)
•       Seatime – 800 miles logged within 10 years prior to examination, 30 days living on board. 2 days as skipper and 12 night hours.

Please note: For holders of the Coastal Skipper Practical Course Completion Certificate, the Seatime requirement is reduced to 400miles, 20 days living on board, 12 night hours, 2 days as skipper.

Half the qualifying Seatime must have been conducted in tidal waters.

Please note a commercial endorsement by way of an AMSA approved Certificate of Safety Training (STCW95) is an optional extra.  This extra only applies to candidates who have taken the RYA Certificate of Competency.

Why do your Yachtmaster with Chardonnay Coast Sailing

We aim to provide an excellent Yachtmaster program in one of the best cruising grounds in Western Australia.  Because we are a small family school we can provide personalised service to help you gain the skills you need to succeed in the RYA Yachtmaster cruising scheme.  The course has been structured to provide plenty of opportunity for yacht handling as well as undertaking coastal passages.  Our training area extends along the coast of Western Australia from Cape Naturaliste to Fremantle and up to Geraldton, with future plans to extend through to Exmouth.  It is open waters exposed to the Indian Ocean includes some of the remotest shorelines you will find anywhere.  As a result our courses demand effective planning and independence when at sea with an ability to deal with all weather conditions.

Yachts

Our yachts are a Jeanneau Sunfast and a Beneteau Oceanis 411 which are well maintained and surveyed annually by the Western Australian Government Marine Authority.  They are fast, responsive coastal cruising yachts and are great training vessels.  You will complete your Yachtmaster on the vessel you train on so that you are fully aware of the vessel and its handling characteristics.  You will also experience other vessels in the fleet so you can learn about the different characteristics of the boats.

Certificates Obtained

All RYA Course Completion Certificates plus;

      Competent Crew certificate

•       Day Skipper Theory Certificate
•       Day Skipper Practical Certificate
•       Coastal Skipper Theory Certificate
•       Coastal Skipper Practical Certificate

*RYA Certificates of Competence are MCA approved and internationally recognised.  They are subject to a satisfactory pass on an external examination.

Our Cruising Ground

Western Australia

Western Australia is the largest state in Australia.  The capital is Perth, a city of 2 million people.  The South West has a Mediterranean Climate with hot summers and relatively mild winters.  We are on the edge of the Margaret River wine region, with great forests to explore inland.  The coast of Western Australia is an ideal training ground providing opportunities to experience a variety of wind strengths and sea states.  We have some great marinas to explore and Fremantle remains the state’s premier marine centre.

Busselton

Busselton is two hour’s drive south of Perth (approx. 225kms) and the area has some of the most pristine beaches in Australia.  The region’s coastline is diverse, featuring calm and secluded bays such as Meelup, Eagle Bay and Dunsborough to the ruggedly beautiful Yallingup Beach which is regarded by many as one of Western Australia’s premier surfing beaches.  Dunsborough is perfectly located for the annual whale watching season, between September and December, when Southern Right, Humpback, Pygmy and Blue Whales are moving along the coast.  Bottlenose dolphins are also regular inhabitants of Geographe Bay.

Bunbury

Bunbury is located two hours South of Perth and is the major regional city of the South West.  A city virtually surrounded by ocean it is a great meeting point for yachts cruising up and down the coast.  It is a city of restaurants, theatre, night life as well as an ecotourism centre for marine life.  It has a warm to hot summer climate with fantastic land and sea breezes for sailing.

Mandurah

Mandurah is located one hour South of Perth.  It is where our fleet is based.  We spend a lot of time in Mandurah developing basic sailing and pilotage skills before heading out along the open coast line.  Mandurah is centrally located within our Cruising Ground.  The passages from Mandurah are a great introduction to coastal navigation and being skipper.  It is a great trip to learn how to steer the yacht through various sea states and to manage sail trim effectively.  The passages really get you thinking about the management of the yacht and emergency procedures.

Fremantle

Fremantle is the major Port City of Western Australia and is a great cruising ground for pilotage development, collision regulations, coastal navigation as well as the opportunity to explore some fantastic harbours and anchorages.  It is steeped in maritime history and once you’re there it is not hard to imagine Americas Cup racing in Gage Roads.  Fremantle is situated 32 Degrees South and has a warm to hot climate in summer.  It is also close to Garden Island and the holiday retreat of Rottnest Island.

Geraldton

Geraldton is situated on Champion Bay on a spectacular stretch of coastline known as the Batavia Coast.  It is located about 450km North of Perth and is a bustling coastal town.  Blessed with beautiful beaches and warm, sunny weather, Geraldton has a special emphasis on yachting, surfing and diving.

What to bring along for the course

Clothes

Due to our hot summers, bring plenty of shorts and T-shirts with warmer clothes for cooler days and night sailing.  For winter months bring along layers of warm clothes.  Non marking, non slip, closed in, foot wear are essential.  Sunglasses, sailing gloves and a good hat are all recommended.  Remember to always be sun smart.

Foul weather gear is available but it is advisable for you to purchase your own gear.  Bring all gear in soft packs for storage on board.  We can store luggage for you so that you do not have to carry everything with you.  Chardonnay Coast Sailing | SW Yacht Charters are not responsible for any loss or damage of personal property.  As baggage is not stored on site, access to stored baggage is by appointment.

Bedding

We provide all bedding and linen when on board the yachts.  Linen is changed on a weekly basis.

Personal Items

You are welcome to bring ipods and cameras.  Our main training vessel has an ipod capable stereo and we have 12 volt outlets for charging phones or lap top computers.  We cannot take responsibility for these items on board but water proof cases are generally sufficient protection.  Most of our ports of call have readily available internet access.

Accommodation off the Yacht

While meals are not provided on the weekends accommodation aboard the vessels are free of charge providing the yachts are not booked for other activities.

What to Do and See

On days off – usually weekends there are many places to visit around Mandurah, Perth and the South West.  We are on the edge of the Margaret River Surf and Wine area.  There are also forests, nature walks, night clubs, cinemas and lots of beaches.  We can advise you on spots to go to.