May 21, 2009
If you’re thinking about a family vacation to Alaska, and you’re wondering if your
kids would enjoy a cruise to “The Last Frontier,” wonder no more. Young family
members from tykes and toddlers through teens have a blast on big ships and small
as their vessels sail through the protected waters of Alaska’s Inside Passage. Aboard
ship or ashore, there are lots of kid-friendly, parent-friendly, and grandparent-
friendly places to see and fun things to do.
It’s true, only a short decade or two ago families with kids aboard Alaska
cruiseships were as scarce as Alaskan Dall sheep lambs in a grizzly bear’s lair. But
the times have changed — big time. Today you will find, in addition to the
traditional hefty contingent of seniors and near-seniors aboard each ship, a growing
number of families. Sometimes these groups are multi-generational, with gramps
and grandmas, moms and dads, and kids that range from gangly teens to babes
literally in arms.
The reason? Word is out that Alaska’s attractions are sure-fire hits for travelers of
any age: attractions like humongous whales breaching full length out of the water,
grizzly bears chasing salmon along forest creeks and rivers, icebergs (sometimes as
big as a tour bus) crashing, splashing, and thundering off the faces of miles-long
glaciers.
Too, there are opportunities to mush in a dog sled behind a team of charging
huskies - after helicoptering to a lofty mountain-top glacier no less! Kids and
parents can ride bikes through towering forests or down mountain paths and trails.
They can also kayak among whales and sea lions. Whole families can fish for lunker
king salmon. Or try their luck at gold-panning in creeks and streams.
Newest craze for the young and the young-at-heart is riding a zip-line
through the upper canopies of towering spruce and hemlock forests in Ketchikan
and Juneau — hanging safe and secure in a harness as they “zip” along a steel cable
some 130 feet or more above the forest floor.
Or, less daunting, while visiting museums up and down the coast families can
absorb the totemic culture and the history of Alaska’s Native peoples. They can
learn about the period when Alaska was “Russian America.” And they can view
mementos of the tumultuous gold stampede to the Klondike during the late 1800s,
No question about it, Alaska has something exciting to offer every family
member, regardless of age.
But what about life aboard the cruiseships? Will young people find the
experience dullsville?
Hardly. The mid- to mega-sized ships in particular are literally resorts afloat
with swimming pools, spas, snack shops, ice cream parlors, outdoor game courts,
video arcades, and movie theaters. Special staff members aboard these vessels —
with one exception — include trained youth counselors. These crew members
arrange age-appropriate social activities, organize games and sports events,
supervise arts and crafts, take youngsters on shipwide treasure hunts, and generally
see to it that cruisers from tykes through teens enjoy their cruise as much as their
parents and grandparents.
Although smallship cruiselines in Alaska do not staff their vessels with special
counselors for young cruisers, the ships are no less family-welcoming. These
vessels can enter small bays and inlets where guests can view wildlife on close-by
forest shores, explore waterways by kayak or in spiffy powered Zodiacs, hike
remote island beaches, perhaps even stop for a natural hot springs dip in forested
surroundings.
One smallship cruiseline even schedules three Alaska cruises each year
especially geared for family travel.
Regardless of vessel size, and with only a couple of exceptions, cruiselines in
the Alaska trade actively court family cruisers. Few such travelers, young or old, find
the experience anything other than “cool.” And they’re not referring to the weather.
Following is a cruiseline by cruiseline summary of family programs and kids’
things-to-do on an Alaska cruise. The information was supplied by the cruiselines
or taken from company websites.
Large and Mega Size Cruiseships
CARNIVAL CRUISE LINE’s 2006 Alaska voyages aboard the 2,124-passenger Carnival
Spirit offer youngsters age 2 through 17 a variety of continuous supervised activities
as part of the line’s “Camp Carnival” program.
Included in the line’s Alaska sailings are a number of “just for Alaska” projects
where kids can make their own dream catchers and totem poles and learn about the
region’s fascinating Native Alaskan cultures.
The Carnival Spirit offers other kid- and family-friendly amenities as well,
including a spacious indoor play room featuring an arts and crafts center, a 16-
monitor video wall, climbing mazes, an outdoor play area, and a computer lab.
When it comes to dining, says Carnival, “Youngsters get the full ‘Fun Ship’
treatment with expanded children’s menus offering a variety of kids’ favorites as
well as a daily junior special.” The menus are included on the back of a coloring and
activity book featuring word finds, mazes, tic-tac-toe, crossword puzzles, connect-
the-dots, and other games.
Young cruiser age groups include 2- through 5-year-olds, 6 through 8, 9
through 11, and for teens 15 through 17 a program called “Club 02.” (http://
www.carnival.com)
CELEBRITY CRUISES’ “Family Cruising Program” offers young peoples’ activities in
four age groups:
On any given day Ship Mates (for 3- through 6-year-olds) may enjoy a clown
party, treasure hunt, T-shirt painting, Legos, talent time, finger painting, dancing
games, summer stock theater, cartoon time, computers, play stations, musical
games, movies, ship tours, and ice cream sundae making.
Many of these same activities are on the agenda for older children as well, but are
undertaken on an older-age level.
Celebrity Cadets (for youngsters 7-9) might also include pool olympics,
scavenger hunts, charades, a fitness program, board games, relays, and team trivia.
Ensigns (for pre-teens 10-12) additionally enjoy karaoke, relay races, ship tours,
and pizza parties.
Admiral T’s takes in two classes of teenagers, 13-15 and 16-17. Members can
frequent the Teen Club, engage in basketball tournaments, enjoy pool parties, and
help put on talent shows.
Celebrity vessels also offer a “Parents Night Out” program. On the two formal
nights of a seven-night voyage, Celebrity treats parents to free babysitting when
counselors take the children to a pizza party for dinner. (http://www.celebrity.com)
HOLLAND AMERICA LINE’s “Club HAL” provides a variety of kid-friendly facilities and
age-appropriate activities. Programs for children ages 3-12 may be found aboard
2006 Alaska-bound ships Ryndam, Statendam, Zaandam, Zuiderdam, Oosterdam,
and Westerdam and for ages 5-12 aboard Volendam and Veendam. All eight ships
have a teen program for ages 13-17. (http://www.hollandamerica.com)
Club HAL activities are designed to be age appropriate. For example, daily
activities planned for children ages 3 to 7 may include arts and crafts, face-
painting, camp-out night, candy bar Bingo, outdoor fun, and a pajama party.
“Tweens,” the in-between travelers 8 through 12, may learn golf putting, attend
dance parties and theme nights, compete in on-deck sports events and scavenger
hunts, play arcade games, tie-dye t-shirts, or simply play ping-pong with a friend.
Teens 13-17 enjoy The Loft designed to resemble a New York artist’s loft; there’s
also The Oasis, a private deck where teens can soak up the rays then cool off in a
one-of-a-kind waterfall. The Loft and Oasis are currently available on 2006 Alaska-
bound vessels Ryndam, Statendam, Veendam, Volendam, and Zaandam. Teens will
especially enjoy the teen disco, dance lessons, arcade games, teen sports
tournaments, karaoke, trivia contests, bingo, play stations, movies and hot tub
parties.
On most itineraries, Holland America provides at least one full-time Youth
Program Director and one or more youth staff members. The ratio of Club HAL staff
to children on board is 1:30.
Additionally there’s a wide variety of kid-pleasing food, including special
sandwiches, tacos, burgers, hot dogs and pizza. For the very young baby food, high
chairs and booster seats may be requested in advance of boarding. Baby-sitting
services are available for a small surcharge and special birthday parties can also be
arranged.
NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE notes on its web pages that the line’s Kid’s Crew and
Teen’s Crew programs are filled with age-appropriate activities for youngsters 2
through 17. For Kid’s Crew members aged 2-12, NCL offers everything from arts
and crafts to pajama parties. Teens Crew, for cruisers 13-17 provides options like
pool parties, a teen disco, a video arcade, and more.
But don’t, says NCL, think of these programs as “babysitting.” There’s very little
“sitting” involved, notes the cruiseline. The programs are active, energetic,
educational and, most importantly, fun. (http://www.ncl.com)
PRINCESS CRUISES’ junior cruisers (ages 3 to 17) can enjoy a boatload of exciting
onboard activities. All of the line’s Alaska-bound ships have special kids and youth
centers staffed by counselors who put on a program of age-specific activities each
day. Group babysitting is available in the late evenings.
Among a number of programs for youngsters is one specific to Alaska. Produced
with the National Park Service, Princess’ sub-teen “Junior Ranger” program is
designed to bring Glacier Bay and the Alaska wilderness to life for thousands of
children each summer. The program features interactive games, activity books, and
presentation by rangers. The corresponding “Teen Explorer” program features
similar learning activities geared for older youngsters.
In a cruise industry exclusive, the Los Angeles-based California Science Center
provides entertaining interactive activities. Princess youth staff have undergone
extensive training at the center, designed to enthrall young passengers with award-
winning science projects. Whale watching, building and racing sailboats, marine
biology studies and squid dissection are a few of the activities available.
The line’s website notes that preteens are divided into two groups: Princess
Pelicans ages 3-7 and Princess Pirateers, 8-12. Both groups are entertained with
age-rated arts and crafts, discos, movies and cartoons, exclusive kids-only dining,
hunts, karaoke and lip-sync shows, afternoon ice cream parties, pizza parties,
backstage and galley tours, pajama parties, and T-shirt coloring.
Says Princess’ website: “Our astounding teen centers are packed with Nintendo,
movies, karaoke, giant screen TVs, card and board games, ping-pong and juke
boxes.” The site also notes that the Alaska-bound Sun, Dawn, Coral, Island, and
Diamond Princess ships also offer a toddler’s play area. (http://www.princess.com)
ROYAL CARIBBEAN INTERNATIONAL provides a young peoples’ program called
“Adventure Ocean” serving and entertaining travelers 3 to 17 in five different
categories.
Youngest group (ages 3 through 5) are called Aquanauts and do finger painting,
building blocks, play dough, music activities, dot dancing, and “shape Bingo.”
Explorers (6-8) have a Pirate Night, go on a backstage tour, enjoy nutty nicknames,
and engage in autograph hunts. Nine to 11-year-old Voyagers do karaoke singing,
have a Ga-Ga Ball, enjoy H20 Thunder Races, and do an art walk.
Navigators (12-14) play in sports tournaments, have pool parties, enjoy a college
night, engage in video games, and attend disco dancing sessions as well as a formal
night. Older teens,15-17 and called Guests, also enjoy dancing, pool parties, DJ
training, Battle of the Sexes, plus a formal night and a Survivor Series.
RCI’s Edu-tainment programming offers:
Adventure Science, a blend of hands-on experiments and wacky entertainment
(example: Staggering Through the Stars, and a Wacky Water Workshop);
Adventure Art, the opportunity to exercise creativity with crafts;
Sail Into Story Time and Adventure Family. The latter is a free, onboard program
that allows children 3-11 and their parents to spend quality time together doing
projects that range from shipbuilding regattas to talent shows and scavenger hunts.
(http://www.royalcaribbean.com)
Mid-Size Vessels
RADISSON SEVEN SEAS CRUISES’ youth program, “Club Mariner,” provides adults who
want to share Alaska’s wonders with their children or grandchildren a
complimentary children’s program. “The program,” says the company, “offers the
opportunity for every member of the family to experience Alaska in a meaningful,
enriching way.”
The cruiseline’s youth program is designed for three age groups: 5-9, 10-13 and
14-17. Throughout each voyage, trained counselors offer young cruisers the
opportunity to participate in a variety of interactive adventures focusing on Alaska.
Children will exercise their creativity with crafts while gaining knowledge about
Alaska’s diverse wildlife, its unique geography, its indigenous crafts, and its rich
artistic heritage.
Kids will learn about whales, salmon, glaciers and totem poles. They might draw
and write about their adventures in their special Club Mariner scrapbook, bake
chocolate “moose” cookies, go whale watching out on deck or learn all about eagles,
dolphins, bears and sea lions.
Notes RSSC: “Club Mariner not only makes it easier for families to travel together,
it helps kids broaden their cultural and educational horizons. And they’ll return
home knowing more about Alaska than all the other 49 states combined!” (http://
www.rssc.com)
SILVERSEA CRUISES advises that, due to the sophisticated nature of its cruises and
programs, the company does not encourage travel with young children. (http://
www.silverseacruises.com)
Smaller Ships
AMERICAN SAFARI CRUISES’ Kids in Nature (KIN) cruises, include a luxury yacht as
the schoolhouse, an Expedition Leader/Naturalist as the teacher, and the wildlife-
rich waters of Alaska’s Inside Passage as the laboratory. KIN convenes in Alaska
aboard the upscale 22-passenger yacht Safari Quest with the first of two seven-
night cruises from Sitka June 17. The voyage takes in various wilderness sites and
communities throughout Southeast Alaska. and ends in Juneau June 17. Another
seven-night Safari Quest sailing commences July 29 while an eight-night voyage
from Prince Rupert, B.C. to Juneau embarks June 26 aboard the equally luxurious
12-guest Safari Escape.
Activities abound for all ages: kayaking, hiking on a remote island followed by a
full-scale picnic, hopping shore-to-shore by Zodiac, viewing whales directly off the
bow or dolphins right below, collecting shells to study, and more. Kids and adults
alike are accompanied on a variety of personal-choice excursions while their yacht
is at anchor.
At the end of a cruise each child receives a Kids in Nature backpack filled with
mementos of their various explorations: a certificate of achievement signed by the
Captain and Expedition Leader, a tee shirt and cap, a pair of binoculars, disposable
camera and a typed list of all of the flora and fauna observed during the cruise. The
program offers kid-size pricing — two kids under 12 for one adult fare.
Aboard other sailings during the season American Safaris Cruises’ three yachts
offer very upscale amenities and cuisine best appreciated by sophisticated adults.
For these cruises the line normally discourages guests from bringing young children
and does not offer specifically child-oriented services. (http://
www.americansafaricruises.com)
AMERICAN WEST STEAMBOAT COMPANY advises, “We tend to cater to mature adults
and therefore offer no special programs to kids and teens.” (http://
www.americanweststeamboat.com)
THE BOAT COMPANY offers special rates for young cruisers traveling with parents:
50 percent off the usual fare if occupying a stateroom with a parent, 20 percent off
if occupying a separate cabin.
The company’s two vessels do not have separate personnel specifically assigned
to youngsters on board, but the line does try to accommodate the desires of each
passenger including kayaking, fishing, beach hikes, and other kid-friendly activities.
(http://www.theboatcompany.com)
CLIPPER CRUISELINE has no specific children’s programs or staff for younger
travelers, but the nature of the company’s routes and cruising areas
(including whale sightings, bears other wildlife, and shore excursions)
make it appropriate for family groups. Cabins can accommodate as many as three
guests; for larger groups two cabins would be necessary. (http://
www.clippercruise.com)
CRUISE WEST offers a children’s travel special aboard the Sheltered Seas Daylight
Yacht Tours. Travelers 12 and under sharing a cabin with an adult save 50 percent
on Family Adventure cruise fares. Youths 13 through 21 save 25 percent.
While many of the company’s other cruises are of considerable interest for
families with children, activities aboard ship are not specifically geared for young
travelers. Cruise West is the largest of the smallship cruiselines serving Alaska and
offers cruising options of family interest from Southeast Alaska with its totems,
glaciers, national park lands and goldrush historical points of interest to
Southcentral’s Prince William Sound and beyond to Arctic waters and even Russia.
(http://www.cruisewest.com)
DISCOVERY VOYAGES advises that cruises aboard the 12-passenger vessel Discovery
are “definitely family friendly” and, in fact, the company offers a 25 percent discount
for children 12 and under.
Notes a company spokeswoman: “Due to the intimate size of our vessel we do not
have specific youth directors but our staff (including Captain Dean Rand’s daughters
Hannah and Heather, who grew up on board the Discovery) is diverse in working
with both adults and children as well as being naturalists and kayaking guides.” The
company often works with agencies and outfitters who specialize in family trips.
(http://www.discoveryvoyages.com)
LINDBLAD EXPEDITIONS welcomes voyagers young and old. And come September,
Archie Comics illustrator Stan Goldberg will join a shipload of other Lindblad
Expeditions travelers through the Inside Passage from Southeast Alaska to British
Columbia. His mission: to create the second in his “Little Lin” cartoon book series of
educational adventures for young people. (In his first book, Fun and Games With
Little Lin, released in 2005, child explorer Little Lin discovers Peru’s Galapagos
Islands.)
In his second work Goldberg’s young adventurer will sail to Alaska and will
encounter glaciers, humpback whales, bald eagles, and all manner of other
creatures and their habitats along Alaska’s and British Columbia’s Inside Passage. In
future years, the Alaska-inspired Little Lin books will be distributed to all families
traveling aboard Lindblad Inside Passage cruises. (http://www.expeditions.com)
MAPLE LEAF ADVENTURES offers families the opportunity to view Alaska’s glaciers,
whales, islands, bear hot spots, beaches, hot springs and towns aboard the classic
tall-ship sailing vessel Maple Leaf, a beautifully restored 92-foot sailing schooner
built in 1904.
The ship takes 9 or 10 guests. The vessel’s on-board naturalist, chef and
experienced crew can customize the trip’s itinerary, menu and activities to suit
family interests. Typical highlights include unparalleled proximity to ice bergs,
glaciers and wildlife, sailing a tall ship, and great camaraderie between guests and
crew.
Special activities for kids include sail training, fishing (with purchase of a fishing
license), hikes, and a customizable itinerary.
Accommodations are comfortable but not luxurious. Because berths are limited
to nine or ten passengers, it is possible for one or more families (two families of
five, for instance) to jointly reserve all the berths for one of the company’s 11-night
Alaska voyages. Parents with teen-age children may reserve berths that are not
otherwise reserved with the concurrence of prior-booked adult passengers. (http://
www.mapleleafadventures.com)
State and Provincial Ferries
ALASKA MARINE HIGHWAY SYSTEM (Alaska ferries) is made-to-order for family
travel along Alaska’s coast. Depending on vessel youngsters will find onboard play
areas for the very young, casual meals and snack bars for any age, movies, and
nature talks plus expansive glass-enclosed solariums. These are ideal for spotting
orcas (killer whales), humpback whales, playful porpoises and sea lions in the water
plus mountain goats on towering cliffsides, and (for the fortunate observer) the
sight of black and brown (grizzly) bears on passing beaches. Families with or
without vehicles may embark as far south as Bellingham, Washington or Prince
Rupert, British Columbia.
Larger stateroom-equipped vessels of the fleet are the Columbia (931
passengers), Matanuska (745), Malaspina (701), Taku (370), and Kennicott (748).
Depending on the season, one or two ships sail on weekly schedules all the way to/
from Bellingham while others turn around at Prince Rupert. (http://
www.FerryAlaska.com)
BC FERRIES demonstrates its kid-friendliness even before a family boards ship.
Computer-savvy children or their parents have only to surf the web to http://
www.bcferries.bc.ca/kidzone/establishing_shot.html and they will meet cartoon
characters Samantha (”Call me Sam”) and Cal, two seagoing doggy characters who
introduce young viewers to three online activities - an electronic coloring book, a
“Match the Ferries” memory game, and a virtual bridge tour.
The 700-passenger provincial ferry vessel Queen of the North connects with
Alaska state ferries at Prince Rupert for frequent access to Southeast Alaska ports.
(http://www.bcferries.com)
Copyright (c) 2006 By Mike Miller — All Rights Reserved
Alaskan travel writer Michael Miller lives in Juneau where he publishes the Alaska
cruising website http://www.AlaskaCruisingReport.com. The site covers virtually every
facet of cruiseship travel in Alaska. He also writes Alaska travel articles for newspapers,
magazines and books.
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March 16, 2009
The syllabus can be readily divided into two parts. The Keelboat Sailing Certification Program is made up of seven stages while Small Boat Sailing Program contains a further two stages.
The Basic Small Boat Sailing Standard requires no previous experience or qualifications. It is the first course in the Small Boat Sailing Program. Students must demonstrate a theoretical knowledge of the names and functions of various parts of a boat together with common sailing terms, the sail and its ancillary components, the International Rules for Collision Prevention both at sea and on inland waters and hey should demonstrate a basic knowledge of safety procedures. On the practical side they must show they can tread water for 5 minutes and swim 100 metres, rig, launch and retrieve the boat, set and trim the sails, sail both upwind and downwind, tack and gybe, correctly apply the rules of the road, recover a man overboard, recover from a capsize, accept and pass a towline, tie four specified Knots within a given time. Upon completion he or she will be able to sail a centerboard or multihull sailboat in light to moderate winds and sea conditions in familiar waters.
The first course in the Keelboat Sailing Certification Program is known as Basic Keelboat. No experience or qualifications are necessary. To complete the course students will be required to demonstrate that they can put a name to and describe the workings of various parts of a boat including the hull, keel, deck bow and stern. The components of both the running and standing rigging. The different sails including the names of part of a sail - foot, leech, luff, head, tack and clew. The various spars, mast and boom. They will be familiar with sailing terminology used to describe various manoeuvres such as gybing and coming about. Students will understand the points of sail be it close hauled, reaching or running. They will understand the basics of collision avoidance including rules of the road. They will demonstrate they are familiar with regulations covering registration and identification, proper waste disposal, who to notify in the event of an accident and what safety equipment is requires by law to be carried on a vessel and how it is used. They will be able to demonstrate a knowledge of buoyage Participants will know how to anchor a boat and describe the choice of anchors and their attributes and failings. On the practical side they must demonstrate sail handling skills, they will display competence at the helm including mooring, sailing both upwind and downwind together with a successful tack and gybe. They will complete a successful man overboard recovery. They will show they know how to tie 6 different knots and understand their various uses. Upon completion of the course students should be able to sail a boat of some 20 feet in length in moderate winds in familiar waters.
The second stage is called Basic Coastal Cruising and students must hold the Basic Keelboat Sailing Certificate prior to undertaking this course. The course looks at safety on board including equipment and procedures. An understanding of fire prevention and fighting is required. Students will be required to demonstrate a knowledge of first aid and the treatment of hypothermia. Basic meteorology is considered and students must demonstrate an understanding of shipping forecasts. An understanding of the relationship between the skipper and crew and the respective duties of each is required. Students must be able to undertake basic chartwork including depths; types of bottom, hazards, bouys, beacons and lights. The practical side of this course looks at boat handling under power and sail, man overboard recovery, the various points of sail, reefing and heaving to, docking and mooring and some knot work. When completed the sailor should be able to cruise safely in regional waters on a sailboat of up to 30 feet in length, in moderate winds and sea conditions.
Trailerable Multihull Standard, this course is the second in the Small Boat Sailing Program. It may be taught as part of or following the Basic Coastal Cruising course. Completion of the Basic Keelboat is a prerequisite prior to taking this course. On the theory side students must be able to identify and name the various parts of a multihull that are not found on a monohull including the different wing decks, hulls, cross arms, three point rig, bridle line, safety nets, seagull and dolphin strikers. They will be aware of the advantages and disadvantages of multihulls including, performance, comfort safety and the danger of capsize. On the practical side the sailor will demonstrate: how to cast of and leave the quay with at least two different wind directions relative to the bow and then return and berth alongside, pick up a mooring buoy, manoeuvre in a restricted space, reverse, recover a man overboard, the different points of sail, tacking and gybing, sail a compass course within 10 degrees. They will anchor in the following ways, bow anchor and bridle and single bow with a stern line to the shore. When completed sailors are able to cruise safely in local and regional waters as both skipper and crew on an auxiliary multihull sailboat of up to 30 feet in length, in moderate wind and sea conditions.
Bareboat Chartering is the next stage. Participants are expected to hold the Basic Coastal Cruising Certificate before doing this course. The theory side covers the preparation of both crew and boat for a one week cruise including the preparation of a passage plan. Meteorology is considered including a look at fog and onshore and offshore winds. Seamanship is looked at and students should know what action is required if the engine fails, they should know how to anchor the boat bow or stern to. On the practical side the student will be able to undertake daily and weekly maintenance tasks, manoeuvre the boat under power in a restricted space, pick up a mooring buoy, use the VHF radio. The following navigational skills are required, plotting a course and establishing the compass heading and calculating an estimated time of arrival. Establishing a fix using visual bearing. Use a chart to pilot the boat into an unfamiliar harbour. Students must obtain and interpret a shipping forecast. When completed the individual can act as skipper of a boat up to 50 feet in length sailing by day in coastal waters.
The next stage is known as Coastal Navigation. This is a theory only course and no prior experience or knowledge is required. Students will be required to demonstrate knowledge of various State and Federal regulations pertaining to sailing. They must understand how the use navigational instruments including both steering and hand bearing compasses, binoculars, depth sounder, log, parallel rule and dividers. Participants must display an understanding of tide tables and their use when dealing with secondary ports. They should be able to convert bearings and compass courses between, compass, magnetic and true, plot a dead reckoning position, understand the effect of current and leeway when estimating a position and plot a position by two or more bearings, a running fix and a bearing and distance. Finally they will need to demonstrate a knowledge of buoyage and lights.
The Cruising Catamaran course deals exclusively with multihull sailing and concentrates on the differences a sailor finds as opposed to monohull sailing. Participants should have completed the Bareboat Chartering stage. On the theory side students must be able to identify and name the various parts of a multihull that are not found on a monohull including the different wing decks, hulls, cross arms, three point rig, bridle line, safety nets, seagull and dolphin strikers. They will be aware of the advantages and disadvantages of multihulls including, performance, comfort safety and the danger of capsize. On the practical side the sailor will demonstrate: how to cast of and leave the quay with at least two different wind directions relative to the bow and then return and berth alongside, pick up a mooring buoy, manoeuvre in a restricted space, reverse, recover a man overboard, the different points of sail, tacking and gybing, sail a compass course within 10 degrees. They will anchor in the following ways, two anchors of the bow or stern, bow anchor and bridle, single bow with a stern line to the shore and bow to fixed mooring. Upon completion the person can skipper a multihull sailboat of up to 50 foot in length by day in coastal waters.
Advanced Coastal Cruising follows and participants should have completed both the Bareboat Chartering and Coastal Navigation stages. Students will be required to demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge of the theory of sailing, an understanding of meteorology including the various cloud formations and the weather that can be expected with each. They will understand the needs of heavy weather sailing, the necessary sail changes and the use of the correct safety equipment and procedures. They will be able to describe: how set a second anchor to reduce swinging, how to recover a fouled anchor, how to use a trip line and an anchor buoy and when and how to set an anchor watch. They will describe how to tow or be towed. They will have a knowledge of distress signals. Students will correctly describe the actions required in the following emergency situations: a dismasting, running aground on a lee shore and engine failure. Students will be able to carry out maintenance and repairs on the engine. On the water students must: sail on all points of the wind and tack and gybe in a wind of at least 15 knots, sail a compass course to within 10 degrees, carry out a man overboard recovery in darkness. They will demonstrate their ability to set, sail with including a gybe, douse and pack a spinnaker. And finally they will stand a navigation watch of 20 miles both at day and night. When completed a person can skipper a sailing vessel of up to 50 feet in length both during day and night in coastal waters regardless of weather and sea conditions.
The next stage is called Celestial Navigation. The course is theory based and requires no experience or prior qualifications. The student must be able to demonstrate the Celestial Navigation required to navigate a sailboat on an offshore passage. The successful student will have demonstrated their ability to: Convert longitude into time and standard time and zone time to GMT. They will be able to calculate: the zone time given longitude, the chronometer error given a previous error and the daily rate, the time of meridian passage of the sun and calculate the boat’s latitude from the observed meridian altitude of the sun, the times of sunrise, sunset and twilight, plot celestial lines of position on a Mercator projection or on a universal plotting sheet and the true bearing of a low altitude celestial body in order to determine the error and deviation of the compass. The student will be able to apply the corrections for index error, dip of the horizon, and total correction to convert sextant altitudes of the sun, stars, planets, and moon to true altitudes, determine the latitude at twilight by means of the Pole Star and the approximate azimuths and altitudes of the navigational stars and planets at twilight. In addition they will be capable of solving the navigational triangle using a navigation table and 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 using a running fix (sun-run-sun).
This celestial theory can be put into practice during the Offshore Passage Making course. Entrants should be certified to the Advanced Coastal Cruising level. The student will plan a passage across either the Pacific or North Atlantic using Great Circle Plotting Charts and Climatic Charts. They must show an understanding of the essential factors to be considered when selecting a vessel for an offshore ocean passage of at least 1000 miles including hull construction and shape, keel, rig, and rudder type, fuel and water capacity. They must provide a list of tools and spares required for such a voyage. They must victual the boat for four people on passage for seven days. They must list the items to be carried in the first aid kit and describe basic treatments for injuries and illnesses that may occur together with identifying a source of mare advanced medical information while on passage. They will prepare a watch keeping system and define the duties of crew members both on and off watch. They will design a maintenance plan to cover: Bilges, electronic equipment, fuel system, hatches, galley equipment, rigging, safety equipment sea cocks, steering and the water system. They will describe the procedures to be undertaken in the following emergency situations: abandon ship, dismasting, fire onboard, lightning strike, man overboard. A comprehensive knowledge of the International Regulation for Preventing Collision at Sea must be demonstrated. When the course is completed is the sailor cans skipper a sailing vessel on offshore passages in any weather.
Ken Jones runs a Sailing Site.
More information about ASA Sailing Courses can be found here
To find an ASA Sailing Course in your area visit the Marine Directory.
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