Dayskipper Course Syllabus

The Study Guide is intended to provide guidance in the use of the resources supplied, and advice on how best to study for the end of course test paper.

Course Syllabus

The syllabus below lists the content of the Day Skipper course, whether learnt from a tutor in a classroom environment, or by home study. Additional comments have been inserted for you in bold italics.

UNIT 1: THE BOAT

Parts of a Boat/Nautical Terms

Note: Boating has a language all of it’s own! You need to be familiar with the common terms listed below. Explanations on what they mean are provided in the manual & CD ROM

• Includes: stem, stern, bow, quarter, transom, chine, motor, cockpit, gunwale, cabin, deck, port, starboard, fore, aft, centre-line, draught, freeboard, windward, leeward

Basic Boat Equipment

Note: A large range of safety equipment is available. Some equipment will be more appropriate than others depending on the type of boat and where you are boating. This section covers all basic equipment you are likely to need and includes a check list of essential items to carry on a typical small powerboat or trailer-sailor.

• Includes: Anchor, chain and warp, boathook, sharp knife, bucket, bailer, fog-horn, heliograph, bungs, torch, compass, depth finder, lifejackets, buoyancy aids, throwing quolt, distress flares, EPIRB, secondary means of propulsion, spare rope, radio telephone, fire extinguisher, chart, radar reflector, painter, protective warm clothing

• Main anchor types:- Fisher’s pick, Grapnel, Plough (CQR), Danforth, Bruce

• Main fire extinguishers:- water, dry powder, CO2

• Life jackets:- sheltered water, buoyancy vests, buoyancy garments

• Use of safety harness in yachts

Basic Boat Handling

Note: Handling your boat on the water in different conditions comes with experience and is best learnt initially by attending a practical course. This section covers the theory of these techniques including the common pit-falls.

• Includes: Launching and retrieving

• How a boat steers

• Anchoring and landing on a beach

• Danger of using nylon as a tow-rope

• Stability:- dangers of overloading, placing and shifting weights in a boat and free surface effect

• At sea:- head sea, following sea, beam sea, power and trim, use of a sea anchor

• Crossing harbour bars

UNIT 2: FINDING YOUR WAY - NAVIGATION

The Chart

Note: A navigational chart contains a whole raft of in formation. You must be familiar with the common sybols — particularly dangers indicated on the chart. How to plot your position and measure distance is also important.

• Includes: Symbols and abbreviations used for soundings, dangerous rocks, beaches, cables (overhead and submarine)

• The Compass Rose as a ‘protractor on a chart’ (indicating direction)

• How to measure distance on a chart

• Latitude and Longitude (relate to GPS positions)

• GPS (basic knowledge:- how to plot onto chart, danger of too much
  reliance)

The Compass

Note: The compass (fitted on the majority of boats) is the primary tool to help you navigate/not get lost! A basic understanding is required including the effects of placing something magnetic such as a cell phone or screw driver next to a compass.

• Includes: From a compass, read the boats heading and find the reciprocal

• Indicate the general direction of the land if it becomes obscured

• The need to correctly align a steering compass, locate in view of the helmsman and keep as free as possible from other magnetic influences

Tides and weather

Note: The effects of wind and tide can have dramatic effects on the sea - creating potentially dangerous conditions. A basic understanding is required, including where to obtain information.

• Includes: Neap and spring tides

• Where to obtain tidal information

• Name the direction of wind and tidal flow

• Where to obtain weather forecasts

• Strong wind warnings

• The interaction of wind and tide

Signposts of the Sea - Buoys and beacons

Note: Understanding the meaning of “signposts” on the water is just as important as understanding signposts and traffic lights on the road. This section covers all buoys and beacons, and how to identify them by day.

• Includes: The colours, shapes and uses of lateral marks, cardinal marks, isolated danger marks, speéial marks, safe water marks and cable marks (submarine and overhead)

• The colour of the lights

• The application of the buoyage system

UNIT 3: RULES AND REGULATIONS

The Rule of the Road at Sea

Note: There are rules (laws) that everyone on the water must follow. You must know what the laws are, and abide by them. If you do not it may result in a collision, fine or prosecution!

• Includes: Where the rules apply

• The need to maintain a good lookout and a safe speed

• How to determine if there is a risk of collision

• Keeping to the right in the channels

• Overtaking and being overtaken

• The head-on situation for power boats

• The crossing situation for power boats

• When sailing boats have the wind on different sides

• When sailing boats have the wind on the same side

• When a sailing boat is under power

• When a sailing boat which is sailing meets a power boat

• Avoiding hampered vessels, including large vessels in channels and within harbour limits

Lights and Sound Signals

Note: Although the Day Skipper course is aimed at those boating by day, it is easy to become delayed due to a variety of reasons. Therefore a basic understanding of the lights for your own vessel is required. Sound signals also have specific meanings you should be aware of.

• Includes: The basic difference between the lights required for a boat under sail and a boat under power

• The use of an anchor light in darkness

• The correct lights for a students own boat

• Wake up! Sound signal (five or more short rapid blasts)

• Manoeuvering sound signals (one, two & three short blasts)

The Navigation Safety Rule

Note: This section covers a specific section of law in New Zealand designed to promote safety and minimise accidents.

• Includes: Skipper responsibility: for safety of the vessel & all aboard

• PFDs: compulsory to carry appropriate type for all aboard any recreational craft, that they must be worn in rough seas, in an emergency, by non-swimmers etc.

• 500 Ton rule: all recreational craft to keep well clear

• Speed & distance from objects: <5 Kts unless >50m from a person or vessel or >200m from the shore, fixed structure or boat flying ‘A’ flag

• Minimum age for operating a boat capable of more than 10 Kts unless supervised (15yrs)

• Water skiing: need for a lookout aged at least 10yrs & skiler to wear PFD

• Water ski / Jet ski access lanes: marking & use

Responsibilities of a Skipper

This section expands on the responsibilities of every skipper.

• Includes: You’re in charge - you’re responsible

• Checking boat and gear - a lifejacket for everyone

• Checking the weather and tides

• Leaving your intentions - 2 minute form

• Reporting accidents to M.S.A.

• Alcohol is for after the trip

UNIT 4: EMERGENCIES

Distress Signals

Note: Recognising and/or calling for help in an emergency can literally be a matter of life and death! You will increase your own safety and the safety of others with an understanding of this section.

• Includes: Know the following International Distress Signals:- raising and lowering arms, distress flares, VHF (‘mayday'), SOS, continuous sound, EPIRB

• Understand the use of the ‘V’ sheet

• Understands use & operation of distress flares and EPIRB

• Understand the ‘mayday’ procedure and the importance of giving a position

• Know the distress channel on VHF and if applicable to the student, the distress frequency on SSB

• The need for an operator’s license to operate a VHF (other than in an emergency)

Emergency situations

Note: Again, what to do in an emergency, and how to prevent it in the first place can be vitally important!

• Includes: Vital actions in the event of capsize or swamping, man overboard and fire

• The prevention of fire

Hypothermia

Note: It is sensible for anyone involved in an activity (such as boating) where you are away from immediate medical assistance, to carry a first aid kit and to possess basic first aid knowledge. This section covers how to prevent and treat hypothermia — an affliction common to boating.

• Includes: The causes, symptoms and treatment of hypothermia

• The prevention of hypothermia

UNIT 5: KNOTS, BENDS AND HITCHES

Note: Specific knots have evolved over centuries for specific uses on a boat and are still relevant today. You will be tested on at least one of the knots below during the end of course exam.

• Includes: Secure an anchor warp to a boat and an anchor using suitable knots

• Secure a dinghy to a ring or pile, using a suitable hitch

• Know how to make and the uses of the following knots:- figure of eight, bowline, anchor bend, a round turn and two half hitches, single and double sheet bend

 

What resources are included with every Day Skipper Home Study Programme?
Includes: Instructions and Study Guide, Day Skipper CD-Rom, Rope for knot tying and Day Skipper Examination Pack (Including examination with feedback form attached, honesty declaration, examination application form, return envelope, and rope). 

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