RYA 5 Day Course - Competent Crew or Day Skipper

RYA Registered Training Name: EastSail Pty Ltd

Location for training: EastSail, Sydney Harbour

Course duration: 5 Days

Maximum student to instructor ratio: 5:1

Course material provided as part of the course: RYA Yachtmaster Scheme Logbook. If you already have this, please let us know and we can substitute another RYA Course Book such as the Competent Crew Skills Notes or Day Skipper Practical Notes. You are welcome to pick up these books from our office in Rushcutters Bay, or we can post these to you for an additional $15 (Australia Post Express).

Who is suitable for this course? Students who are hoping to complete either their Competent Crew Certification or Day Skipper Practical Certification. 

To achieve the RYA Competent Crew Certificate, a total of 5 days’ worth of training is required. You do not need any prior sailing experience! By the end of the course you should be able to handle sails, steer a course, keep a lookout, row a dinghy and assist in all the day to day duties on board a yacht.

To achieve the RYA Day Skipper Practical Certificate, you should have completed your Competent Crew or be at a similar level with previous experience of crewing onboard. We strongly recommend completing the Day Skipper Theory Course prior to the practical course. This course is best suited to those looking to improve their skills and build knowledge of all aspects of life at sea whilst skippering a sailing yacht during short passages.

COVID-19

We have registered as a COVID Safe Business, and have implemented policies and procedures to maintain 1.5m physical distancing and 4sqm rules at our premises and onboard training vessels. To accommodate the NSW legislation around COVID-19 for our RYA/AS Powerboat Courses and all RYA Sail Cruising 2 Day Non-overnight, 2 Day Live-aboard, 3 Day Live-aboard and 5 Day Live-aboard courses, the following controls are in place;  

• COVID-19 EastSail Pty Ltd Cleaning and Disinfectant Policy is in place and must be adhered to by staff and students 
• COVID-19 appropriate signage and markers in place at our premises and onboard training vessels

TIMING: 5 Day residential ‘live aboard’ course. Meet at EastSail office just before 9am on Day 1, return approximately 4pm on Day 5. It is important to arrive on time so that you are involved in the safety brief.
Allow plenty of time as parking can be difficult, or you may prefer to catch public transport. You are welcome to drop your bag into our office before you try to find parking. For more information on our location, transport and parking, please see our website www.eastsail.com.au/location/

COURSE BOOKS: The RYA have handbooks available to support your learning, they can be purchased for $30, and Express Posted to you for an additional $15.

WHAT TO BRING: Packed in a small, soft bag – NO HARD BAGS OR CASES WITH WHEELS
+ Passport sized photo for Day Skipper Certificate – it will not be issued without a photo
+ favourite snacks/chocolate
+ pillow
+ sleeping bag or sheet and blanket
+ small torch or head torch with red light setting
+ toiletries including sunscreen
+ books, a game, deck of cards or a music player
+ refillable water bottle
+ ear plugs
+ 5 t-shirts
+ 2 pairs of shorts
+ 2 pairs of long pants
+ sunglasses
+ 1 warm jumper/fleece
+ underwear and socks
+ swimming costume
+ snug fitting hat/cap
+ wet weather gear (we supply, if ticked on form)
+ sailing gloves
+ small towel
+ two pairs of enclosed, non-marking shoes (must be worn at all times on deck) 

WE SUPPLY: Wet weather gear, safety equipment and food (see above/please advise of any dietary requirements).
Due to environmental concerns we support the reduction of plastic water bottles and as such ask that you bring a reusable water bottle to refill with water from the tanks onboard the yacht. The yacht tanks are filled with Sydney Water which is filtered to the high standards set by the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines. If you have any concerns, you are more than welcome to bring your own bottled water. 

ON BOARD: You will be sailing aboard a Beneteau 40 or 47.7 yacht with other RYA trainees. *See above for COVID-19 accommodation onboard in cabins/onboard other vessels. 

SEASICKNESS: We recommend an early night, healthy food and no alcohol for 24 hours prior. Ask your chemist to recommend a seasickness tablet. It may be advisable to start taking tablets the night before your course. 

SYLLABUS: We will cover all aspects of the course syllabus along the way with practical demonstrations and drills plus daily seamanship and navigation sessions at your level. If you have particular areas of interest or want to revise certain skills just talk to your instructor who will accommodate where possible. You will be expected to participate in all tasks and activities including helming, cooking, victualling and cleaning. 

CERTIFICATION: The RYA Certificate will be issued after the successful completion of the required number of days and satisfactory demonstration of the skills as described in the RYA Logbook. If you have not
completed a course with us, please email through a brief resume of your sailing experience. Please bring a passport-sized photo for Day Skipper and Coastal Skipper candidates, as a certificate cannot be issued without one. 

ITINERARY: The itinerary will depend on the wind conditions and weather forecast. There will be some night sailing and time for theory sessions. There will be a lot of sailing however the emphasis will be on the RYA syllabus and skills rather than the distance sailed from Sydney. 

TRAVEL INSURANCE: We recommend that you consider insurance in case you cannot attend for logistical or medical reasons. Please visit https://www.topsailinsurance.com.au as an alternative to consider.

BOOKING CONDITIONS: If you postpone or cancel, this will incur a fee or loss of your payment. Please refer to the Course Enrolment Form for full booking conditions. See https://www.eastsail.com.au/terms-conditions