Over the course of 2 weekends, a group of NYC members completed the Day Skipper Theory. The group was made up of an eclectic mix of seasoned sailors, sailors’ wives and girlfriends, and those with limited sailing experience – all found it interesting and beneficial. With 40 hours of classroom work and a copious amount of homework, it was not a walk in the park, even for the most seasoned sailors.
The course covers chart work, piloting, passage planning, tidal systems, collision regulations, metrology, seamanship and safety. It was kindly hosted by NYC members Gabrielle and Brendan McGarvey which created a great environment and helped at a favourable price.
The course was run by NYC members, commercially endorsed RYA Yachtmasters and Cruising/Shorebased Instructors Edward Mordas and Richard Wasilkowski of Simply Yachts (www.simplyachts.co.uk). Keeping it all in the family, so to speak.
After absorbing a huge amount of information and manipulating lots of numbers, 6 saw the course to the end and passed. One very clever NYC member, Alex Brown, passed with 99.5% in the assessments, which is unheard of. Although hard work, every single person found it satisfying and rewarding.
Plans are now afoot to organise the Day Skipper Practical and put the theory in to practice.
Left to right: Lis Holmes, Gabrielle McGarvey, Andy Brown, Richard Wasilkowski (instructor), Alex Brown, Laura Turnnidge, Edward Mordas (instructor), Nigel Eggington.
16th-18th February and 3rd/4th March 2018