The Competent Crew course introduces the complete beginner to cruising and teaches personal safety, seamanship and helmsmanship to the level required to be a useful member of the crew of a cruising yacht.

• Sufficient knowledge to understand orders given concerning the sailing and

• day-to-day running of the boat

• Handling ropes, including coiling, stowing, securing to cleats and single and double bollards

• Handling warps

• Ability to tie the following knots and to know their correct use: figure of eight, clove hitch, rolling hitch, bowline, round turn and two half hitches, single and double sheet bend, reef knot

• Awareness of the hazards of fire and the precautions necessary to prevent fire

• Knowledge of the action to be taken in the event of fire

• Understands and complies with rules for the wearing of safety harnesses, lifejackets and personal buoyancy aids

• Understands the action to be taken to recover a man overboard

• Can operate distress flares and knows when they should be used

• Understands how to launch and boat a life raft

• Understands accepted practice with regard to: use of burgees and ensigns, prevention of unnecessary noise of disturbance in harbour including courtesies to other craft berthed

• Aware of responsibility of yacht skippers to protect the environment

• Is able to keep an efficient lookout at sea

• Understands and complies with the loading rules

• Is able to handle a dinghy under oars

• Awareness of forecasting services and knowledge of the Beaufort scale

• Understands the basic principles of sailing and can steer and trim sails on all points of sailing

• Can steer and compass course, under sail and power

• Has carried out general duties satisfactorily on deck and below decks in connection with the daily routine of the vessel