Marine Weather Forecasts –What they are and how to use them
Pre-Cruise Check – How to check all of the critical components: hull, hatches, through-hull fittings, engine condition, safety equipment, etc.
Wind, Current, & Tides – How they affect your boat’s handling and how to handle them
Lines – When to use dock and spring lines, and the proper knots to use to ensure safety
Controls – How steering and engine controls work
Engine – How to perform safe start-up and routine maintenance procedures
Underway Topics
Docking – Proper procedures for approaching and departing fixed and floating docks
Mooring and Anchoring – Proper actions to complete safe mooring and anchoring activities
High Speed Running – Proper actions for “open water” cruising
Navigation – How to read and interpret your compass, charts, and navigational aids
Piloting – What the rules-of-the-road, light and horn signals mean.
Electronics – How to use the GPS, Radar, Chart-Plotter, Depth-Sounder and VHF radio
Homeland Security – What the current security rules and regulations address
Emergency Procedures – How to address critical situations: man- overboard; vessel-fire; steering-loss; collision; and personal injury
Any of the topics can be combined into customized "Packages," adjusted to the experience level of the skipper and crew. Instructional time varies from a single multi-hour session to several sessions, depending solely on the goals of the boaters involved.
