The combined ISSA Intensive course

Course Content:

• Sail theory and physical basics of sailing;
• Classification of ships;
• Structure of yacht, knowledge of main parts and their purpose (rigging, rigging);
• Engine operation, checking the engine before starting, switching it on and off, correct operation of cooling system, troubleshooting;
• Setting, adjusting and setting of sails;
• Knowing sailing courses, sailing manoeuvres, sheet and halyard handling, reefing;
• Utilisation of on-board facilities, cooking facilities, toilets, showers;
• Filling of water and fuel tanks;
• Handling of mooring lines, ropes, ability to connect two lines of equal and different diameters, coiling, use of winches;
• Knowledge of knots - arbor, fisherman's knot, eights, duck tackle, mooring etc;
• Knowledge of mooring methods, correct handling of mooring lines: throwing, receiving, recoiling, fastening;
• Handling of cranes, knowledge of knots for securing them;
• Mooring at anchor, types of anchors and peculiarities of their use, anchor winch handling;
• Handling of inflatable boat (dinghy, dinghy), outboard engine and fuel, safety measures, securing and disconnecting from deck, using oars;
• Safety on board: handling on board, necessary life saving equipment on the boat, fire safety, personal safety equipment, first aid kit, how to signal distress, basic fire rules;
• Skipper's assistance: observing terrain, communicating yacht direction, direction to objects, knowing the main lights of own and surrounding boats at dark times, keeping a logbook;
• Ability to keep the boat on course at the helm.
• Navigation and cartography.
• Calculation of total compass error.
• Observation techniques (methods of calculation and positions to be observed).
• General information of the mercator chart.
• Characteristics of lighthouses and navigation marks.
• Routing and work with lodges.
• MPSS-72.
• Tidal waters (tables, almanacs, calculation rules, atlases of currents and rhombuses).
• VHF radio communication and use of a half duplex station;
• Fundamentals of maritime English with application of phonetic alphabet.
• Introduction to synoptic meteorology and analysis of weather forecasts.
• Motor and sail control of the yacht.
• All basic vessel manoeuvres including MOU.
• Practical mooring skills.
• Crew organisation, log writing, watch planning and emergency situations. General planning of sea crossings at all times and in weather conditions up to 6 on the Beaufort scale.
• Interaction with representatives of charter companies and port authorities. Handling of insured and non-insured incidents.