Basic Keelboat Sailing (ASA 101)

Prerequisites: None

General Description: A certified student is able to sail a boat up to about 20 feet in length in light to moderate winds and sea conditions in familiar waters without supervision.A preparatory standard with no auxiliary power or navigation skills required. Successful candidates earn a National Safe Boating Certificate approved by NASBLA and the U.S. Coast Guard.

I. Sailing Knowledge

· Identify all basic parts of a sailboat and their functions.

· Define points of sail and terms used on a standard sailboat.

· Apply the International and Inland Navigation Rules for prevention of collision at sea in various situations and identify the sailboat or powerboat that is the "stand-on" and "give-way"boat.

· Describe the actions to be taken when sailing in the vicinity of commercial shipping and how to maintain proper look-out.

II. Sailing Skills

· Select and properly use a personal flotation device and clothing for various weather conditions.

· Hoist the basic sails, set appropriate luff tensions, coil and hang halyards and other lines.

· Without an instructor or direction, act as helmsman/skipperand crew on a sailboat using proper commands and responses while sailing under various wind directions. Sail a windward/leeward course while performing tacks and jibes, steer by the lee without jibing.

· Lower, fold and stow sails properly.

· Describe and demonstrate the actions to be takenby a helmsman/skipper when sailing from the time a person falls overboard without warning until the crew member is safely recovered. Also, describe how to get an exhausted person aboard.

· Secure a sailboat to a dock so as to ensure limited movement and set out fenders.

· Describe the function of and tie 6 basic knots without assistance and within time limits.

Basic Coastal Cruising (ASA 103)

Prerequisites: Basic KeelboatSailing certification

General Description: A certified student is able to cruise safely in local and regional waters as both skipperand crew on an auxiliary sailboat of about 20 to 30 feet in length, in moderate winds and sea conditions.

I. Sailing Knowledge

· Identify expanded parts inventory on larger sailboat and describe their functions.

· List all the federal equipment requirements and ASA recommended safety equipment for a medium size sailboat heading out on long cruises or into rough weather.

· Describe the most important reasons for keeping gear and equipment stowed in assigned places on a boat.

· Describe purpose and proper use of the safety equipment onboard, fueling and fire precautions.

· Describe internationally required navigation lights on boats between sunset and sunrise when under sail, under power, and at anchor. Apply Navigation Rules by means of diagram and practice.

· Interpret marine weather forecasts and weather changes applicable to the area and apply the information to the sailing plans for the next six hours and the entire day.

· Describe actions and precautions to be taken during times of reduced visibility.

· Describe the correct sail combinations to carry under various wind and sea conditions, including reefing.

· Read and interpret important information from the NOAA nautical chart of the local area, demonstrate basic navigation knowledge.

· Describe anchoring procedures, site selectionand dangers of a lee shore.

· Describe the immediate action to be taken during various emergencies.

· Identify the main responsibilities of the skipperand crew.

· Describe one commonly accepted use for each ofthe 6 basic knots.

II. Sailing Skills

· Demonstrate on land the correct method of puttingon a personal flotation device in the water and proper usage of safety equipment.

· Carry out a check of the vessel's gear and equipment. Demonstrate the use and care of domestic equipment, including winch techniques.

· Start an auxiliary engine and outboard motor observing commonly accepted safety practices. Stop engine & secure it for the night.

· Handle the boat under power, understand vessel's momentum, maneuver to a position not more than two feet alongside and parallel to a dock with a full stop.

· Demonstrate a skipper's actions/commands while under power from the time a member of the crew falls overboard without warning until the crew is safely recovered. A float will be used for this exercise.

· Select anchorage, securely set anchor, check forholding and weigh anchor/get underway under power.

· Sail an ordered compass course for 5 minutes without varying more than 10 degrees from the ordered heading.

· Function as helmsman and crew giving correct commands and proper responses while demonstrating the proper techniques on all points of sail, tacking and jibing.

· Describe proper preparatory commands and commands of execution for all sailing skills included in this standard, including reefing/heaving to, person overboard maneuver while executed under sails.

· Secure a boat to various dock configurations so as to provide limited movement and set out fenders correctly. Take extra precautions and secure a vessel for the night at a dock and at a mooring.

· Tie 7 basic knots within shorter time limits than ASA 101 standard.

Bareboat Chartering (ASA 104)

Prerequisites: Basic KeelboatSailing and Basic Coastal Cruising certification

General Description: An advanced cruising standard for individuals with cruising experience. A certified student can act as skipper or crew of a 30 - 50 foot boat sailing by dayin coastal waters. Knowledge of boat systems and maintenance included.

I. Sailing Knowledge

· State and discuss planning issues for longer cruising, including fuel and water capacity, first aid kit, menu planning and provisioning, galley procedures, spare parts, documents and procedures for crossing international borders.

· Describe and discuss what actions to be taken during various engine problems.

· Describe the sea breeze, land breeze effect and conditions which cause fog, describe proper weather watch.

· Describe two methods of getting a person overboard back on board a larger sailboat in open waters.

· Describe the information required and the procedure for tying a boat to a fixed dock in areas with a large tidal range.

· State the factors to be considered before allowing anyone to go swimming while at anchor.

· Describe methods of rafting at anchor and potential dangers.

· Describe proper usage and launching of a dinghy and outboard engine at anchor.

· Describe the proper operating procedures for the marine head and list precautions that prevent malfunction.

· Describe the common courtesies and customs ofyachtsmen.

II. Sailing Skills

· Perform routine daily and weekly maintenance procedures on an engine, troubleshooting.

· Check that all systems and equipment on the boat are in working order, demonstrate proper operation and knowledge of safety procedures relating to them.

· Locate and check condition of all U.S. Coast Guardrequired equipment aboard.

· Apply 72 COLREGS (Navigation Rules), rules 1 -19 to maintain safe navigation.

· Maneuver the boat under power in a confined space, docking and mooring under various conditions.

· Demonstrate suitable methods and precautions while launching and towing a dinghy.

· Demonstrate two different ways of returning to a person overboard in moderate winds.

· Sail a compass course with sails set properly while reaching and running.

· Read a nautical chart and identify corresponding landmarks and aids to navigation.

· Plot a course and determine compass heading andE.T.A., plot visual bearings.

· Determine the depth above or below chart datum using tide tables.

· Pilot a boat into an unfamiliar harbor or anchorage by day using a nautical chart and tidal information.

· Obtain and interpret the marine forecast, adjust daily float plan accordingly.

· Set and retrieve two anchors, establish anchorwatch.

· Act as skipper and crew on a live-aboard cruiseof at least 48 hours.

Coastal Navigation (ASA 105)

Prerequisites: None but basic sailing experience recommended.

General Description: Navigational theory required to safely navigate a sailing vessel in coastal or inland waters.

I. Sailing Knowledge

· Explain the chart symbols and conventions on U.S.nautical charts in accordance with international terminology.

· Identify a source of official U.S. Coast Guard navigation publications.

· List the publications and instruments required for prudent navigation in the local area including ASA minimum requirements.

· Use the tide and current tables to find times/heights of tides and direction/rate of current at reference and secondary ports.

· Convert courses and bearings between true, magnetic,and compass.

· Check compass deviation by means such as a transit bearing.

· Plot a dead reckoning position on a chart using speed, time and course to steer.

· Allow for the effect of current and leeway to plot the estimated position.

· Determine a course to steer which takes into account known current and leeway.

· Determine current given the course steered and speed and two observed positions.

· Plot a chart position from terrestrial objects using various types of bearings, transit range and distance off the object.

· Use the above techniques to chart a course of at least 20 miles and 3 course changes.

· Explain the terms and characteristics used for lighted navigation aids.

· Explain the significance of shapes, colors, and lights used in the buoyage system.

II. Sailing Skills

Blue Water Sailing School provides offshore courses for practical application of the Coastal Navigation standard.

Advanced Coastal Cruising (ASA 106)

Prerequisites: Basic Keelboat Sailing, Basic Coastal Cruising, Bareboat Chartering and Coastal Navigationcertification.

General Description: A certified student is able to safely act as skipper and crew of a sailing vessel about30 to 50 feet in length in coastal and inland waters, in any conditions, day or night.

I. Sailing Knowledge

· Describe the theory of true and apparent wind and the theory of sailing using force diagrams.

· Describe with the aid of diagrams the causes of lee and weather helm and methods of correcting them.

· Describe sail shapes and sail interactions as needed for different wind strengths and points of sail. Describe the effects of sail trimming on sail shape and sail interactions.

· Describe the proper selection of sails on a given boat for all weather conditions.

· Identify how to use a barometer and a thermometer in predicting weather.

· Describe cirrus, cirrostratus, altocumulus, stratocumulus, cumulonimbus, and cumulus clouds and the weather expected to be associated with each.

· Describe local weather in relation to thermal winds and prevailing winds.

· Describe three sources of weather informationavailable to yachtsmen in the U.S.

· Describe the appropriate heavy weather precautions for the boat selected and describe how they are carried out, including all the steps to be taken by skipper and crew for "heaving to" and"lying a hull."

· Describe the methods of rafting at anchor during day and night and the possible problems.

· Describe step by step how to secure a boat overnight with one anchor and stern made fast to the shore or dock.

· Describe various anchoring techniques including two methods of setting two anchors, retrieving fouled anchor, use of a tripline, anchor buoy and maintaining anchor watch.

· Describe how to prevent the tender/dinghy from riding up and bumping the vessel's hull while anchored at night.

· Describe proper towing techniques and hazards associated with towing.

· List from memory the visual distress signals listed in the applicable U.S. Coast Guard publications.

· Describe what actions should be taken during various emergencies while under sail or under power.

· State the fuel range of the selected boat and the factors that could affect vessel's range.

· State the water capacity on selected boat andthe minimum water requirement per person on any boat.

· Describe and demonstrate the appropriate corrective measures for common engine problems as applicable to the boat selected.

· Describe the minimum preseason maintenance andchecks given to the various boat systems.

· Describe recommended permanent and temporary installation methods of grounding for lightning and safety measures to prevent accidents due to lightning.

· State the danger of overhead power lines.

· Describe the uses, capabilities and limitationsof a permanently mounted and a portable radar reflector.

· Describe the skipper's responsibilities and actions for common courtesies and customs of yachtsmen.

· List the documents required and the procedures followed when leaving and entering U.S. territorial waters and foreign countries.

II. Sailing Skills

· Act as helmsman and demonstrate the proper techniques in all points of sail with varying wind force.

· Work to weather to best advantage using windshifts, tides and local geography.

· Sail a compass course (within 10 degrees) with sails trimmed.

· Demonstrate correct methods of launching and towing a dinghy.

· Demonstrate correct methods of launching, securing and stowing of dinghy outboard motor.

· Properly carry out nighttime person overboard procedures.

· Demonstrate correct procedures for spinnaker sailing(optional). The certifying instructor will indicate spinnaker use in the certification box on the appropriate page.

· Set anchor, weigh anchor, pick up, cast off mooringsand dock the boat under various conditions.

· Demonstrate how to take a sounding using two different methods.

· Stand a navigation watch during a passage of about20 miles by night and 20 miles by day and demonstrate all of the skills required for all lower ASA certification levels.

· Act as skipper and crew on a live-aboard cruiseof at least 48 hours (30 hours minimum instructional program).

Celestial Navigation (ASA 107)

Prerequisite: None but basic sailing and coastal navigation experience recommended.

General Description: A certified student is able to demonstrate the celestial navigation theory required to safely navigate on an offshore passage.

I. Sailing Knowledge

· Convert longitude into time, calculate the zone time given longitude.

· Convert standard time and zone time to G.M.T.and vice versa.

· Calculate the chronometer/watch error given a previous error and the daily rate.

· Apply the corrections for index error, dip ofthe horizon, and total correction to convert sextant altitudes of the sun, stars, planets, and moon to true altitudes.

· Calculate the time of meridian passage of the sun and calculate the boat's latitude from the observed meridian altitude of the sun.

· Determine the latitude at twilight by means of the Polar Star.

· Solve the navigational triangle using HO249 tables and explain all calculations.

· Plot celestial LOP on a Mercator projection or on a universal plotting sheet.

· Calculate the times (ship's and G.M.T.) of sunrise, sunset, and twilight.

· Determine the approximate azimuths and altitudes of the navigational stars and planets at twilight, using a Star Finder.

· Calculate and plot the lines of position obtained from observations of several celestial bodies at twilight and thus find the boat's position.

· Advance the LOP obtained from a sun sight to another LOP obtained from the sun at a later time and find the boat's position usinga running fix.

· Calculate the true bearing of a low altitude celestial body in order to determine the deviation of the compass.

II. Sailing Skills

Blue Water Sailing School provides offshore passages forpractical application of the Celestial Navigation standard.

Offshore Passagemaking (ASA 108)

Prerequisite: All previous keelboat and navigation standards.

General Description: A certified student is able to safely act as skipper or crew of a sailing vessel on offshore passages requiring celestial navigation.

I. Sailing Knowledge

· Plan a passage across the North Atlantic or Pacific Ocean using publications and instruments required for navigation on an

offshore passage.

· State advantages vs. disadvantages of various ocean routes.

· Plot a series of rhumb lines on a Mercator chart to approximate a great circle route.

· State the essential factors to be considered when selecting a vessel for an ocean passage of at least 1,000 miles.

· List all items essential for minor repairs to vessel systems, including rigging and sails.

· Describe the advantages and disadvantages of three self steering methods/devices.

· Plan meals for a minimum of four people on a seven day offshore passage and methods of preserving/storing food without refrigeration.

· State the factors to be considered when selecting crew members for an offshore passage.

· State a source of obtaining advanced first aid information while on an offshore passage.

· Identify and describe the basic treatment of potential medical problems and list the items that should be carried in a first aidkit for an offshore passage.

· Describe methods of preventing injury to the cook or nearby persons while cooking at sea.

· Prepare and file a passage plan prior to departure.

· Describe three watchkeeping systems and alternate arrangements in the event crew members are incapacitated.

· Describe the duties during and after the watch.

· Establish a routine schedule to periodically inspect and maintain vessels systems, including cleaning the vessel underway.

· Describe how to rig a trailing person overboard line with an alarm and alternative methods of alerting the crew to a person overboard situation.

· Describe what actions should be taken when a person overboard is not located on the first pass.

· Describe proper actions to be taken after vessel has been struck by lightning.

· Describe how to organize the crew for a routine fire drill.

· Describe possible methods of jury rigging the vessel in the event of dismasting and the following course adjustments.

· List essential survival items to be kept in a standby kit for abandoning ship offshore.

· Describe additional items and their functionsuseful for survival and rescue.

· Describe general abandon ship procedures and procedures for launching, inflating and boarding a liferaft in heavy weather.

· Describe the dangers to be encountered in a liferaft at sea and list basic survival techniques.

· List safety equipment recommended in addition to that required by the U.S. Coast Guard.

· List eight of ten international distress signals and demonstrate knowledge of their usage.

· Know and apply the 1972 International Regulation for Preventing Collision at Sea (COLREGS) in order to maintain safe navigationin any waters day and night.

II. Sailing Skills

· Obtain a celestial fix using a running fix or three celestial bodies.

· Calibrate compass for current heading using celestial fix, update deviation card.

· Apply all sailing knowledge stated in the ASA Celestial Navigation standard and in all other ASA standards.

· Act as skipper and crew on an offshore passage of no less than 72 hours and 100 nm without touching land.

Cruising Catamaran (114)

Prerequisites: Basic Keelboat (101) and Basic CoastalCruising (103). The Bareboat Charter Standard (104) is also a prerequisiteand can be attained either by itself prior to BBC Multihull (114) or inconjunction with BBC Multihull (114). In either case, ALL MATERIAL INBOTH STANDARDS (104 & 114) MUST BE TAUGHT AND TESTED BEFORE 114 CANBE AWARDED.

General Description: An advanced cruising standard for individualswith cruising experience. The individual can act as skipper and crew ofa 30 - 50 foot multihull sailboat by day in coastal waters. The standardincludes those skills unique to a 30 - 50 foot multihull.

I. Sailing Knowledge

· Identify and describe the following hardware/terms:

· Describe the weight carrying characteristics of30 - 50 foot cruising multihulls and how weight distribution affects safetyand performance.

· Describe the differences in performance between multihulls and monohulls of similar size.

· Describe the accommodations of a typical 30 -50 foot multihull and how comfort and safety will differ from a monohull.

· Identify differences in ship's systems between multihulls and monohulls.

· Describe shoal draft and its effect on planning ahead and sailing.

· Describe the danger of capsizing, how to recognizethe danger and how to prevent it.

· Discuss the characteristics of a multihull which determine windage and the effects of windage on course and speed.

· Discuss how multihull design affects turning radius.

· Describe a typical center/daggerboard installation on a multihull and how they affect performance.

· Describe options for gear stowage and proper stowing procedures.

· Describe how and where a safety harness would attach to a multihull.

· Discuss the various sail combinations and how they affect balance of a multihull.

· Discuss the differences of multihull heavy weather sailing practices (advantages and disadvantages) including the following:

· Discuss the limitations of a multihull galleyand methods of working safely in the galley.

· Discuss auxiliary power options on a multihull.

· Discuss engine placement on a multihull and its effect on performance and safety.

· Discuss common mechanical maintenance on a multihull.

· Discuss common mechanical repairs on a multihull.

· Describe and discuss what to do if on or bothengines fail.

· Describe options for carrying and towing a dinghy.

· Describe the method of tying a multihull securelyto a dock in areas of varying tidal range.

Boat Handling Under Power

· Cast off and safely leave a dock with at leasttwo different wind directions relative to the bow.

· Stop the bow of the boat within four feet of a marker while maneuvering under power. Perform the exercise upwind, downwind and with the wind across the beam.

· Maneuver the boat under power in a confined space, noting the effects of wind and current.

· Maneuver the boat within 2 feet of, and parallel to, a dock. Define and carry out a bail-out plan.

· Turn the boat in the tightest possible circle to determine its turning radius. Twin screw boats will perform the exercise with screws turning in opposite directions and again with screws turning in the same direction.

· Repeat item 29 turning the boat in the oppositedirection and compare the differences between both turns.

· Repeat items 29 and 30 while making sternway.

· Steer a straight course of at least 10 boat lengths in reverse using moderate speed.

· If the boat being used has twin engines, repeat items 30 & 31 using one engine and then the other.

· Steer a multihull using an emergency steering device:

Person Overboard

· Demonstrate a skipper's actions and commands while under power from the time a crew member falls overboard until crew is safely recovered.

· Describe at least two methods of getting a person out of the water and back on board a multihull.

Boat Handling Under Sail

Points of Sail

· Function as helmsman and crew giving correct commands and proper responses while demonstrating the proper techniques of closehauled sailing, reaching (all three points), running, tacking and jibing, heading up, bearing away and luffing while noting the differences and likenesses of sailing a multihull vs. monohull.

· Sail and ordered compass course for 5 minutes without varying more than 10 degrees from the heading.

· Sail a figure 8 course between two buoys noting acceleration/deceleration times and momentum during turns.

· While sailing at full power, luff sails and observe how long it takes for a multihull to come to rest.

· Trim luffing sails noting how long it takes toaccelerate to full power.

Person Overboard

· Demonstrate a skipper's actions and commands while under sail from the time a crew member falls overboard until crew is safely recovered, use two different return techniques including the quick-stopmethod.

Heavy Weather

· Reduce sail by reefing and shake out a reef while keeping the vessel under control and on course.

· Heave-to and get underway again, noting the vessels motion at different angles to the wind.

· Sail with the mainsail only, then headsail only,noting performance characteristics and limitations.

Anchoring

· Use proper anchoring techniques to anchor usingthe following methods:

Two anchors off bow and stern (Bahamian moor)

Single bow anchor and bridle

Single bow anchor and stern to beach (Med style)

Bow to a permanent mooring with bridle (if available)

Beaching with consideration of daggerboard/centerboard, rudderand hull mounted electronics. (optional)

Making Fast and Snugging Down

· Secure a boat to various dock configurations so as to provide limited movement and set out fenders correctly. · Take extra precautions to secure a vessel for the night at a dock and at a mooring. 

Courses|Home|Prices

ASA Standards| ASA Courses | Bookstore | Charters | Contact Us | Details | Directions | Equipment | FAQs | Links | Locations | Offshore Passagemaking | Private School | Recognition | Schedule | Testimonials | Terms and Conditions | Why

All pages, copyright © BWSS, Inc.

Powered by Wind · Hosted by TextDrive