More detail of the content of our courses
Navigation Module
38 videos step-by-step + Quizzes + Practice Questions/Answers +Downloads +hints/tips
Video presentations walk you through: Where on Earth are we? And what does that mean?, Speed, Distance, Time, All About Charts, Position Plotting, Measure Distance, Measure direction, Variation and Deviation, Three – Bearing Fixes, Set and Drift, Double the Angle Off The Bow, Estimated Position and Deduced Reckoning, Position by Bearing and Range, Transits (bearings), Running Fix, Leeway, CHECK YOUR PROGRESS Q&A
Marine Weather
21 step-by step videos, quizzes, checklists, hints, tips, advice, quizzes, articles
Video presentations walk you through: Introduction to weather, What is weather?, What causes weather?, Trade winds, Clouds, Synoptic charts, Isobars, Highs and lows, Cyclones/Tropical revolving storms: development and warning signs: action, Ridges, troughs, frontal depressions, Warm and cold fronts, occluded fronts: what does this mean to us?, Jet streams, Line squalls, Local weather patterns
Storm surge, Synoptic charts – forecast and a case study, Understanding the Barometer, Pressure and wind strength
Electronic Charts Webinar + Digital Book
We will demystify Electronic Navigation, ENCs, raster charts, ECDIS, software, apps, integration, limitations and risk, chart capabilities, passage planning, best practice.
Collision Regulations
We reveal our personal technique to remember the lights/shapes easily. Video presentations take you through the key elements of lights and shapes, each short section has practice quizzes to help you remember.
Passage Planning Module
20 Step-by-step videos, quizzes, emergency checklists
We go through the processes and procedures to create a Passage Plan, Sample Passage Plan, Passage Plan Template, Samples from a Safety Management System (SMS), Safety Management System Template, Navigation techniques for quick and easy position checking en route, Navigation reminders (video): Plotting, bearings, Notices to Mariners, 3-bearing fix, transits, bearings, soundings, DR, EP Free Surface Effect, Fuel calculations, Crew responsibilities and watches, Chart details and planning, Appraisal, planning, execution, and monitoring, Q&A
Downloads: Passage Plan Example, Passage Plan Template, The Theory of Tides Booklet, Alarms, Checklist before sailing, Cyclone Preparation, Daily checks when underway, Date Log regular checks when underway, HF Radio Stations from BOM, Info – compass to true and true to compass reminders, Info – speed, distance, time, Info – formula and useful information, Info – Mayday calling procedure, Info – Mayday – Pan Pan –Securite, Log Engine Oil, Navigation checklist, Night Watch tips, Personal Items, Routine checks, Safety Management Systems, Template/samples, Example of SMS SOPS (Standard Operational Procedures), Safety Environment – Sample, Emergency Procedures – Sample, Responsibilities and Authorities – Sample
Emergency Preparedness
Webinar video with 2 books to create your emergency procedures on board, specifically for YOUR boat.
Create an Emergency Response Manual relevant for your vessel, Emergency Preparedness Maritime Course and manuals. We also fondly refer to this workshop as “Last Chance”. Because that is what it is if you find yourselves dealing with one of the emergencies we cover in the manual and webinar:
Plan for (for your boat/circumstances): Modules: Basic safety assumptions, The human factor, You’re the skipper, you’re responsible, Crew responsibility, Checklists, Create and use a safety management system, Briefings, Flip your thinking, Keep everyone onboard, Communication, Emergencies give no warning, Know your enemy, Know your limitations, Fear, Boat factors, Know your vessel, All boats want to do is sink, Understand stability, It’s your responsibility, Maintenance, Emergencies – preparation, procedures and practice, Raising the alarm, Grounding, stranding, running aground, Loss of propulsion (lack of fuel/engine failure), Propeller fouled or damaged, Loss of steering/rudder/breakdown, Severe weather, Being Dismasted, Medical Emergency, POvB/MOB, Fire, Collision, Abandon ship -Death at Sea, roll/knockdown, Survival Equipment, Effectiveness of equipment, Training drills, Reporting incidents – incident alert/report, Additional tips, Templates
Boat Handling and Docking
Overview then a deeper dive into: Improving boat handling, tips/advice, boat physics, how the boat moves, practice techniques, understand how and why your boat is behaving the way it does, external factors, different boat capabilities, the great fenders debate, shouting!, transits, holding steady, how the rudder works (high/low pressure), astern and forward propulsion, transverse thrust (how and when to use it), pivot points, turning short around, strong wind docking, spring off.
Anchoring Presentation and Video
Understanding wind and current strength, signalling / communication, proper use of the windlass, circling the anchor area effectively, letting go the anchor, implementing a bridle strop, setting up an anchor alarm, maintaining anchor watch, hauling in the anchor, swapping roles for efficient operation, handling emergency situations.