Bareboat Cruising

Preparation to Sail:

• Obtain an appropriate weather forecast for your cruise and plan accordingly.
• Check the sail inventory and select the appropriate sails for the conditions.
• Check the location and condition or operation of all safety equipment.
• Describe the need to be aware of and perform checks of the engine fluids and mechanical parts, manual and electric bilge pumps, and the electrical, mechanical, freshwater, marine head and holding tank systems. *updated 5.2.2019
• Perform a complete check and demonstrate safe use of the galley stove and stove fuel system.
• Ensure that all necessary provisions, cooking and eating utensils are aboard and properly stowed.
• Check the security and operation of all hatches, ports and companionways.
• Inventory and check the condition of all bimini tops, cockpit awnings and dodgers where applicable.
• Inventory and check the condition of all tools and spare parts.
• Check the condition of dinghy and oars (and outboard, if applicable).
  11. Inventory and check the condition of all required charts, tide tables, cruising guides, and navigation tools.
• Perform a complete inspection of all deck gear: standing and running rigging, lifelines, stanchions, and pulpits.
• Understand your responsibilities and liabilities as a bareboat charter customer according to your contract with your charter company.

Crew Operations and Skills:

• Demonstrate a comprehensive crew briefing and plan of responsibilities.
• Demonstrate the operation of the emergency steering equipment.

Leaving the Dock or Mooring:

• Demonstrate the proper lashing of a dinghy on deck or securing it for towing.
• Demonstrate appropriate helmsman and crew coordination and the skills necessary for leaving under power in any wind condition.

Navigation:

• Demonstrate your ability to: correctly use a hand-bearing compass and a ship’s compass; maintain a proper DR plot with time/speed/distance calculations; work up an estimated position; plot a fix using lines of position and/or ranges; use depth sounder; use accepted plotting and labeling techniques; understand buoyage systems and aids to navigation; identify and correlate visual observations and landmarks with chart symbols.
• Use a GPS chart plotter to plan and sail a multi-leg route.

Heavy Weather Sailing:

• Demonstrate shortening sail to depower, and explain effects on balancing the boat.
• Demonstrate heaving-to.

Overboard Rescue Methods:

• Properly demonstrate one of the overboard rescue methods under sail, which is most appropriate for: your sailing ability, boat type, crew experience, wind and sea conditions, and maintaining constant visual contact with the person in the water.
• Demonstrate an overboard recovery method under power which allows you to maintain visual contact with the person in the water.

Anchoring Techniques:

• Select an anchorage and demonstrate appropriate helmsman and crew coordination and the skills necessary to anchor with two anchors under power using one of the following methods: bow and stern, two anchors off the bow at 60°, or two anchors off the bow at 180° (Bahamian Moor).
• Pick up a mooring.
• Demonstrate appropriate helmsman and crew coordination and the skills necessary to recover your anchor under power.

Returning to the Dock or Mooring:

• Demonstrate appropriate helmsman and crew coordination and the skills necessary for returning to the dock under power in any wind direction.

Securing the Boat Properly:

• Demonstrate the correct procedure for returning the charter boat in the same condition that it was chartered, and complete a charter check-in report on the condition of the boat.