Motor Cruising
Note: Full details on the Motor Cruising Scheme, course syllabi & certifications are listed in
the RYA Motor Cruising Logbook RYA G18, available from Trans Pacific
Marine (phone 0508 800 600 or visit www.transpacific.co.nz).
Helmsmans Course
Aim: To handle a launch in sheltered waters.
Duration: 2 Days.
Qualification: Course completion certificate.
Prerequisites: None.
Modules:
1. Preparation
- Safety equipment
- Boat preparation
- Knots & rope work
2. Boat handling
- Starting and stopping
- Steering & controls
- Low speed & high speed turns
- Securing to a buoy
- Leaving and coming alongside
- Man overboard
3. Theory and background
- Types of craft, propulsion & considerations
- Engine checks & fuel consumption
- Safety & seamanship
- Basic Rules of the Road
Day Skipper Practical
Aim: To skipper a launch in familiar waters by day.
Duration: 4 days (or 2 weekends).
Qualification: Course completion certificate.
Prerequisites: None. Recommended 2 days previous experience.
Modules:
1. Preparation
- Boat & engine checks
- Safety equipment
2. Boat handling
- Handling in various conditions of wind & tide
- Turning in a confined space
- Securing to a buoy
- Anchoring in a pre-determined position
- Leaving and coming alongside
- High speed work, power & trim tabs
3. Navigation
- Plotting visual fixes
- Use of GPS
- Tidal heights & streams
- Course to steer, EP & DR
- Buoys & beacons
- Log - keeping
4. Pilotage
- Pilotage plans
- Clearing bearings & transits
5. Passage making
- Passage making & navigation
6. Meteorology
- Forecast sources & interpretation
7. Rules of the Road
- Knowledge & application of IRPCS/Nav & Safety Rules Part 22
8. Engines
- Checks & maintenance
- Engine systems & trouble shooting
9. Emergency situations
- Recovery of MOB
- Distress flares & emergency equipment
- Rescue procedures
10. Night Cruising
- Entering & departing port in darkness
- Pilotage techniques & buoyage identification
Coastal Skipper Practical
Aim: To skipper a launch on coastal passages by day and night.
Duration: 5 Days.
Qualification: Course Completion Certificate.
Pre-requisites: Skills and experience equivalent to Day SKipper Practical.
Modules:
1. Passage Planning
- Relevant planning to enable a safe passage
- Fuel consumption in different conditions
- Customs procedures & requirements
2 Preparation for Sea
- Safety equipment requirements
- Skippers duties and responsibilities
3 Pilotage
- Preparation of pilotage plan
- Pilotage by day & night
4 Passage Making & ability as Skipper
- Managing the boat and crew
- Weather and navigation
5 Radar
- Understanding and effective use
6 Boat Handling
- Handling effectively in all conditions
- Different berthing situations & techniques
7 Adverse Weather
- Preparation, handling and navigation
8 Emergency Situations
- MOB and emergency service rescue procedures.

