SUGGESTED KIT LIST

NO SUITCASES PLEASE – SOFT BAGS SHOULD BE USED FOR EASY STORAGE ON BOARD

• A sleeping bag and travel pillow
• Personal toiletries, towel and any medications. Suncream and hand moisturiser
(we suggest you bring travel size items)
• Sailing boots or shoes (high heels or black soles are not suitable). Consider
purchasing a pair of leather boots as an investment, or rubber ones are much
cheaper, but almost as good (not as warm in winter as leather ones).
• We recommend ‘Sealskinz’ waterproof socks if you are just wearing trainers.
• Woolly hat, scarf gloves, cap and sunglasses (preferably polarized to reduce
glare)
• Log book (suplyed FOC on all courses)
• Passport (just in case!)
• Passport photo for your certificate (Day skipper and Costal Skipper)
• Wicking or thermal base layers or t-shirts (preferably not 100% cotton) –
running, skiing or other sportswear is usually fine
• Mid-layers – such as a warm fleecy jumper, body-warmer / gilet
• Outer-layer – windproof and waterproof. Preferably designed for sailing – but
don’t worry we can lend these to you
• Comfortable soft trousers (not jeans – which are very heavy when wet) to wear
whilst sailing
• In summer – obviously shorts and t-shirts may be suitable. In winter – bring
extra layers for warmth.
• Evening wear – in the evening you may go ashore, so some jeans, t-shirt and
sensible shoes will be perfect.
• Night-wear
When sailing, the windchill is one of the biggest factors so you will typically need
to wear one layer more than you think.
Useful items:
• Personal torch or head torch (preferably with a red light mode)
• Camera!
• Sailing gloves
• Spare plastic bags for wet clothes, to keep your phone in etc
• 12V phone charger
• Ear-plugs

Personal belongings should be covered by your individual personal/travel Insurance. The Skipper Academy does not accept any responsibility for loss/damage to personal belongings whilst on board the School Yacht.

FOOD ONBOARD

We try to cater for as many people as we can but please feel free to bring any of your own to supplements or any special dietary requirements.

Please advise of any allergies before booking

WEATHER & SAILING CONDITIONS

Weather forecasts are recorded on a daily basis and then taken into consideration along with the crew’s ability when planning the day’s instruction.

The instructor is responsible for the well-being of the crew during the course. Specific things to be looking out for are hypothermia, sunburn and seasickness.  Please ensure you are adequately dressed for any prevailing conditions. Sunburn can be a problem and can catch people out. We encourage the use of sun block.

Any minor incident regarding safety on board the vessel must be brought to the principal’s attention. A report will need to be filed for a serious incident. The Skipper Academy maintains a record of all incidents.

The Instructor will focus on Safety Policy within The Skipper Academy to ensure that correct standards are adhered to and periodic checks are made on the craft and premises used for training. Instructors and Skippers concentrate on the day-to-day safety of clients during courses adhering to the overall safety policies of The Skipper Academy.

A safety briefing will be given at the commencement of every course and students will be asked to follow safety procedures during the instructional periods. In summary, the main items for safety are: use of life jackets and harnesses, fire prevention, keeping warm, care in the use of gas, precautions for smokers, yacht watertight integrity and the location of first aid kits. Safety equipment is checked on a regular basis and any defects are rectified as a priority.

The Skipper’s role during the course will be to ensure that weather forecasts are recorded on a daily basis and after doing so to take into account the crew’s ability when organising the day’s activities. The overall well-being of the crew is paramount and the Skipper will on alert for signs of tiredness, sea sickness and hypothermia/sunstroke. The Skipper will encourage and, if necessary, instruct the crew in dress, use of sun block and anti sea sickness measures.

In focussing on safety the Skipper will record all incidents whether major or minor and will inform the head office as well as any other necessary agencies or bodies.

All students should be advised to bring to the notice of the Skipper any incidents that occur during the course. The Skipper Academy has a policy of recording every incident reported and conducting a thorough review.

Safety Equipment: Procedure for use

Lifejackets will be worn:

a) in fog, in strong winds, in yacht tenders when the yacht
might have to be abandoned
b) by non-swimmers
c) when desired by the crew member
d) when instructed to do so by the Skipper

Safety Harnesses will be worn:

a) when sea state/weather will make MOB recovery difficult
b) when alone on deck
c) at night
d) when desired by the crew member
e) when instructed to do so by the Skipper.