Sailing

Stage 1

• I can assist with the launch and recovery of a sailing dinghy.
• I know about the Buddy system.
• I know the importance of a personal floatation device.
• I know the correct clothing to wear when sailing.
• I can take the helm and steer a reasonably straight course.
• I know I cannot go afloat if the wind is greater than Force 4.
• I can point out the bow, stern, port and starboard of a boat.
• I know how to contact the emergency services.
• I know why it is important to stay with a capsized boat.
• I understand why I should follow directions from an instructor.
• I can show the limits of where I may go each time I go afloat for sailing.
• I know basic Sailing Theory.
• I have taken part in two half-day sailing exercises consisting of a minimum of two hours afloat.

Stage 2

• I can assist with the rigging and de-rigging of a vessel.
• I can explain what impact I may have on local vegetation when launching and retrieving a sailing dinghy.
• I have discussed “Weil’s disease” and the precautions necessary to take part in open water activities.
• I can put on my own personal floatation device properly.
• I know why I should wear suitable footwear.
• I know basic sailing skills including what to do in the event of a capsize.
• I know Sailing theory.
• I can make a recognised distress signal and raise the alarm if I see somebody in difficulty on the water.
• I know what hypothermia is.
• I know basic collision avoidance.
• I can conduct myself in a careful and safe way in a boat and around water.
• I can get a weather forecast.
• I can tie the following knots; Round-turn-andtwo-half-hitches, Figure of eight, Bowline.
• I have taken part in at least four half-day sailing activities consisting of a minimum of two hours afloat.

Stage 3

• I can assist with rigging and de-rigging, launch and recover.
• I can put on my personal floatation device and adjust it properly.
• I know why wearing layers of clothing is a good idea.
• I know basic sailing techniques.
• I know the basics of sailing theory.
• I have taken part in a capsize drill.
• I can get into a dinghy from the water in a safe way.
• I know how to do CPR and place a victim in the recovery position.
• I know that I should follow the instructions of the person in charge of the boat.
• I understand the terms that are used in a maritime weather forecast.
• I have taken part in at least three full day sailing activities consisting of a minimum of four hours
  afloat.

Stage 4

• I can assist in launching, rigging and recovering a small sailing dinghy.
• I know the main principles of “Leave No Trace.”
• I know that there are different types of Personal Flotation Device and know when and where each should be used.
• I can explain why wearing the correct outerwear is important.
• I can paddle or row a boat in a straight line.
• I can demonstrate all points of sailing with assistance as both crew and helm.
• I can help another person safely into a sailing dinghy from the water.
• I can coil a line and heave it to a casualty to affect a simulated rescue.
• I know the safety precautions required for water based activities.
• I can describe the implications of offshore and onshore winds, high winds and no winds when
  sailing.
• I can describe how often high and low tides take place, and the implications these might when
  going afloat
• I know that where I may go boating may change in different conditions.
• I have taken part in six full-day exercises afloat.

Stage 5

• I can rig and equip a sailing boat for safe use in a variety of weather conditions.
• I can demonstrate how to manoeuvre a sailing boat as a member of the crew.
• I know the five essentials and can apply them to all points of sailing
• I can take a leading role in mooring and unmooring a sailing boat including sailing on and off the mooring.
• I can assist in the anchoring of a sailing boat.
• I can identify and name the main parts of common anchor types.
• I know why it is important to have some training in first aid and can show how to care for someone who is very cold.
• I know the parts of the International Regulations for the Prevention of Collisions at Sea that apply to my boat and local boating waters.
• I can obtain a weather forecast and know how the information might affect planned activities afloat.
• I know how currents and the ebb and flow of the tide affect my local boating waters.
• I know how to use Channel 16 on marine VHF and have an understanding of the use of distress flares.
• I have taken part in six full-day exercises afloat
• I have taken part in one expedition afloat

Stage 6

• I can rig, de-rig, secure and care for the hull of the sailing boat that I use including using the listed control lines to set the boat up to sail efficiently upwind, downwind and on a reach demonstrating optimum sheeting.
• I can carry out the routine inspection of a personal flotation device.
• I can take the helm of a sailing boat and demonstrate how to undertake various manoeuvres, demonstrating a constant awareness and application of the five essentials.
• I know how to obtain maximum leverage when hiking or trapezing.
• I know how sails and foils work and interact to drive a sailing boat.
• I can take a leading part in anchoring a sailing boat including knowing how and when to use a tripping line.
• I know what to do if someone is caught under an inverted boat and can right an inverted boat.
• I know what causes tides and how spring and neap tides might affect sailors.
• I can recognise the main weather patterns illustrated by a synoptic chart and can interpret the forecast.
• I can identify common weather conditions and describe how they may affect boating activities.
• I am familiar with the main features of restricted waters as defined for my group.
• I know how and when to make Distress and Urgency calls and Safety Announcements on Marine VHF.
• I have taken part in eight full-day exercises afloat.
• I have taken part in one expedition afloat.
• I have instructed at least four people in four of the areas up to Stage 3.

Stage 7

• I can take a leading part in the manual handling of a sailing boat ashore ensuring safe handling
  procedures including preparing a sailing boat for safe transportation by road.
• I can rig any sailing boat and identify all of the parts.
• I know under which circumstances different personal flotation devices are appropriate.
• I can take charge of a sailing boat in moderate winds and carry out all the required manoeuvres including holding a course using instruments and transits.
• I can take a leading part in selecting a good anchorage.
• I can take charge of a boat and respond efficiently to a (simulated) emergency
• I know what lights should be shown by the most common vessels in my area and know what
  lights should be shown by a sailing boat
• I know the International regulations for the Prevention of Collisions at Sea.
• I can interpret the current forecast and make sound decisions on planned activities in view of
  expected weather and sea conditions and tidal effects.
• I know the hazards and how the weather may affect “Restricted Waters” for my group.
• I know how to get suitable information for “Safe Enclosed” boating waters that are not my groups local waters (e.g. for camp).
• I can assist in developing a passage plan for a day trip.
• I know how to read and set a chart, plot and estimate positions.
• I have a working knowledge of GMDSS (Global Maritime Distress Safety Systems) as it applies
  to EPIRBs (Emergency Position-Indicating Radio Beacons ) and DSC (Digital Selective Calling).
• I have taken part in ten full-day exercises afloat
• I have taken part in one overnight expedition afloat outside my normal boating waters
• I have instructed at least four people in at least six of the areas up to Stage 5.

Stage 8

• I can take a leading part in the safe handling of a sailing boat ashore.
• I can rig any sailing boat including optimizing the rig and boat for a given set of conditions.
• I understand the different safety precautions that must be taken when a group of boats is operating together.
• I can carry out all the sailing manoeuvres in strong winds including setting up and controlling the boat while on the plane.
• I can describe how sails interact and demonstrate techniques to maximise this effect.
• I have a good understanding of the merits of different anchor types for different locations and conditions.
• I can carry out man over board and capsize drills in test conditions.
• I know what sound signals the most common types of vessel in my area should make.
• I have researched at least five pieces of weather lore.
• I am familiar with ‘Day Cruising Waters’ for my group
• I can use the information from charts etc. to plan an expedition in restricted waters.
• I have an understanding of the ‘capture effect’ as it applies to marine VHF.
• I have taken part in ten full-day exercises afloat.
• I have taken part in an overnight expedition involving more than one boat.
• I have instructed at least four people in at least seven of the areas up to Stage 6.

Stage 9

• I can rig any sailing boat and identify all the parts.
• I can carry out all the sailing manoeuvres for this to a very high standard.
• I can use an outboard engine to manoeuvre a boat while in displacement mode.
• I have the skills and knowledge required to spend a night on board or camping.
• I can anchor a boat efficiently to two anchors.
• I can jury-rig a sailing boat, improvise and deploy a sea anchor and know what spares and tools should be carried aboard.
• I have completed the requirement for the Emergencies Skills Stage 7
• I know how to interact with the emergency services.
• I know what sound signals the most common types of vessel in my area should make
• I can identify the type, aspect and behaviour of vessels by day or night from lights, shapes and sounds.
• I know the procedure for entry to and departure from a harbour and understand the requirement to file a passage plan under SOLAS regulations.
• I can complete a rough synoptic chart from a maritime weather forecast or similar data and use this information to make sound decisions on planned activities in view of expected weather and sea conditions.
• I am familiar with any local rules and bylaws that apply to Day Cruising Waters for my group.
• I can devise a pilot/passage plan and programme that plan into a GPS.
• I can demonstrate the ropework required for this stage.
• I have taken part in ten full-day exercises afloat.
• I have taken part in an overnight expedition in coastal waters.
• I have instructed at least four people in at least five of the areas up to Stage 8.