Classroom Discussion

Introductions

  • Introductions
  • Materials
  • Liability Forms
  • Physical Restrictions and Special Considerations
  • Logistical Considerations
  • Class Timing
  • Discuss Commercial Vessel Traffic and expected hazards in the BKB Area of Operation, reviewing:
    • Local Area Charts
    • Expected Shipping Traffic (check with staff or visit marinetraffic.com, and enter RCH into “Ports.”)
    • Local Notices to Mariners

Dock and Boat Safety

Safety Note: One hand for yourself, one hand for the boat.

Hazards:

  • Ask the students to identify what they consider to be “hazards” encountered on the dock.  Examples:
    • Uneven dock sectionsHoses and Hose bibsCleatsAnchors on other boatsDock lines (Flemish coiled vs. un-coiled)
    • Personal gear
  • Ask the students to identify what they consider to be “hazards” on the boat.  Examples:
    • Lines (such as sheets and halyards)
    • Slippery surfaces
    • Open hatches

Safe Boarding:

Students should be introduced to each new term and/or boat part as encountered in the lesson plan.  For example, shroud, lifeline, boom, deck, and cockpit may be introduced during the Safe Boarding exercise.

  • Demonstrate the proper method of boarding a boat at the shrouds
  • Firmly hold a shroudAnnounce in a loud voice “Stepping Aboard”
  • Step up onto the gunwale of the boat with both feet outside of the lifelinesStep over the lifelines while continuing to hold firmly to a shroud
  • Gain a new handhold (e.g. boom, winch, etc.) and carefully move into cockpit

No gear should be held or carried during the boarding process.  All gear will be handed from the dock to a person onboard.

Line Handling

Demonstrate and Practice Basic Knots

  • Cleat Hitch
  • Clove Hitch
  • Round Turn with Two Half Hitches
  • Figure 8 Knot
  • Bowline
  • Reef Knot

Coils

  • Locking Coil

While still on the dock is a good opportunity to demonstrate and practice the:

  • Cleat Hitch
  • Clove Hitch
  • Round Turn with Two Half Hitches
  • Figure 8 Stopper Knot

Use the dock lines to demonstrate and practice the cleat hitch. Using the fenders to tie the Clove Hitch and Round Turn with Two Half Hitches will also allow for a discussion of the need for and use of fenders. Explain the importance of using a stopper knot on the jib sheets. Demonstrate and practice the figure 8.

Terminology

Students should be introduced to each new term and/or boat part as encountered in the lesson plan. For example, shroud, lifeline, boom, deck, and cockpit should have been introduced during the Safe Boarding exercise previously completed.

Getting the boat ready to sail

Assign a “Skipper” for the day. 

  • The skipper will complete the Skipper’s Log and Pre-Post Checklist, using the other class members to complete tasks as required.
  • Each participant will be assigned the role of “Skipper” for one day during the class.
  • The “Skipper” will typically be the first to do each new exercise.

Discuss the roles for the various positions.

  • Skipper … safe operation of the boat, and safety of the crew
  • Helmsperson … steers the boat
  • Crewmember … assists in the safe operation of the boat

Watch/Lookout … Discuss Rule 5 of the NAVIGATION RULES
“Every vessel shall at all times maintain a proper look-out by sight and hearing as well as by all available means appropriate in the prevailing circumstances and conditions so as to make a full appraisal of the situation and of the risk of collision.”

Complete the checkout log. Encourage the students to capture Tide, Current, and basic Weather information in the space provided. Each participant should complete a paper version and an electronic version during the three days of class.

Where the checkout log requests wind direction and speed, indicate the observed conditions at the dock. This is not forecast information. Incorporate the observed conditions into your LOT discussion.

Tide Books

A Tide Book contains a great deal of information that is neither needed nor relevant at this stage of the students sailing career.

Cover the following points in detail:

  • Tide is the level of the water
    • Zero in the tide book is based on the average low tides every day over a 19 year time span.
    • Additional information will be covered in the day two discussion of Charts.
  • Current is the movement of the water.  A high tide of 6 feet, lowering to 1 foot means 5 feet of water needs to “leave” the bay.

Other areas in the Tide Book, such as tide and current offsets, current maps, and phone number lists will be explored in Basic Coastal Cruising and Bareboat Charter.

SAFETOGO

S … Safety Equipment
A … Atmosphere
F … Floorboards
E … Engine
T … Tides and Currents
O … Onboard rigging
G … Gas (or Diesel)
O … Steering

Safety gear checked and gear stowed

Equipment required by the US Coast Guard on a 20’ to 26’ Sailboat

  • “Life Jacket” – A properly fitting PFD for each person
  • Type IV ”throwable” PFD – Requirements state the Type IV must be “readily accessible” which is normally understood to be in the cockpit
  • Visual Distress Signal – In the bronze fleet boats, only a day time approved flag is available, as these boats only operate in day time
  • Sound Signal – The sound signal should be readily accessible in the cockpit
  • Type BI Fire Extinguisher – The gauge should be “in the green”, the red trigger safety should be in place, and the fire extinguisher must be securely mounted
  • Vessel registration or documentation – An original State registration or a USCG Documentation card must be onboard. If State registered in California, a properly displayed CF number must be displayed on each side of the bow. If USCG Documented, the documentation number must be permanently affixed
  • ABC’s of California Boating Law (required by the State of California, not the USCG)

Equipment recommended by the ASA (Required by TWSC)

  • Anchor and rode
  • First Aid Kit
  • Boarding Ladder
  • Boat Hook
  • Fenders (3 fenders for the Capri’s) – Two are located in the lazarette and one hanging on the port side stern pulpit

New Terms to Introduce

  • Port
  • Starboard
  • Stern Pulpit
  • Bow Pulpit
  • Lazarette
  • Lifeline
  • Stanchion

Atmosphere Good for Sailing

Capture observed wind conditions and weather forecast information in the Skippers Log (e.g. SW 10 … forecast notes: SW 15-25)

Floorboards/Bilge Dry

  • Check under floorboards
  • Demonstrate manual bilge pump operation

Engine Valves Open

This is a good time to cover set up and starting of the outboard motors (see Outboard Motor Setup and Operation below).

Tides and Currents Determined

Capture the Tide and Current information in the Skippers Log

On Deck Rigging OK

Discuss the standing rigging, and have the class do a pre-sail inspection

Standing Rigging Terms to introduce:

  • Standing Rigging
  • Headstay/Forestay
  • Roller Furler
  • Backstay
  • Shroud
  • Spreader
  • Chainplate

Discuss the running rigging and have the class rig the boat for sailing

Running Rigging Terms to introduce:

  • Running Rigging
  • Topping Lift
  • Traveler
  • Halyard
  • Jib Sheet(s)
  • Main Sheet
  • Boom Vang

Rig the boat for sailing

  • Remove canvas
  • Rig the main halyard
  • Center the traveler
  • Ready the main and jib sheets for use
  • Ready the furling line (should be cleated and coiled, but ready for quick use)

Safety Note:
Discuss the importance of ALWAYS having the boat rigged for sailing. NEVER leave a dock without doing so

Gas (fuel) okay and Vent Open

Verify level of fuel and note in Pre-Cruise Check List – This is a good time to complete the Outboard Motor Setup and Operation step below.

O Wheel (steering ok)

Verify proper operation of steering equipment

New Terms to introduce when discussion steering:

  • Tiller
  • Rudder

COOL

Coolant

  • When the motor starts, immediately confirm proper cooling by checking for water spraying from the back of the motor

Oil (does not apply to the Capri’s)

Overboard Lines

  • Check all around the boat for any line that may be in the water
  • Ready all dock lines for departure

New Terms to introduce

  • Breast Line
  • Bow Line
  • Stern Line
  • Spring Line

Remove the spring lines (coil and stow)

“Double up” the breast lines for control from the boat.

Discuss, demonstrate and practice getting a line onto the dock by casting and/or use of a boat hook. to section

Outboard Motor Setup and Operation

Safety Note:

Demonstrate the engine setup, starting, and stowing process. Have each participant setup, start, and stow the motor.

Fuel Tank

  • Open Vent
  • Check fuel level and note on Pre-Cruise Check List

Un-Tilt the Motor

  • Demonstrate tilt release lever position and operation
  • Motor should not be left in full forward tilt position when the boat is put away – One “click” only

Lower the Motor Mount Bracket

  • Lower motor to bottom position to start and run

Attach the fuel supply line

  • Fuel lines on the Capri’s are left attached at all times. The connection should be check for leakage
  • Pressurize the fuel system using the “bulb”. Do not over pump

Starting Motor

  • Attach Shut-Off “Key” (kill switch)
  • Shift to neutral
  • Throttle up to “start” position with the molded triangle lined up with the square
  • If engine is cold
    • Pull out choke
    • Slowly pull starting cable one time to prime carburetor
  • One “quick, hard” pull of the starting cable to should start the motor
  • If out, immediately press the choke in
  • Throttle down to idle position

If the engine has previously been started, the choke and prime steps are not needed.

Motor Shut Down

Shut down and stow the motor in essentially the reverse order of the previous steps

  • Verify the motor is in Neutral
  • Remove the Shut Off “Key” (replace as soon as the motor dies)
  • Disconnect the fuel line and stow the fuel line in the fuel locker
  • Raise the motor to the top bracket position
  • Place the motor in forward
  • Use the handle on the aft end of the motor to slowly tilt the motor.  Stop when a click is heard

Motoring Skills

The day’s skipper should assign positions for the departure. The skipper will assume the role of helmsperson.

With the dock lines still attached, the helmsperson should practice the following until he/she is comfortable doing it WITHOUT LOOKING.

  • Throttle up
  • Throttle down
  • Shift into forward
  • Shift into reverse

Stress the importance of being able to handle the motor controls without looking so that control of the boat can be maintained at all times.

Each participant should depart the dock, practice motoring skills, and return to the dock, maintaining control of the vessel at all times.

Depart the Dock

Steps for Departure

  • Spring lines should be removed … Bow and stern spring lines should be doubled and ready to be controlled from the boat.
  • Shift (without looking) into reverse
  • “Aim” the aft portion of the motor and tiller in the desired direction of travel (initially, away from the dock).
  • Helmsperson should issue the command “Cast off the stern line.”  Stern line handler should comply with the command and confirm that the line has been cast off.
  • With the bow line attached, allow the motor to pull the stern away from the dock. 
  • When sufficient angle has been obtained to clear any obstructions behind, the helmsperson should issue the command “Cast off the bow line”.  The bow line handler will comply with the command and confirm that the line has been cast off.
  • Simultaneous with casting off the bow line, the throttle should be increased slightly, causing the boat to pull away from the dock.
  • The helmsperson should steer the boat in reverse down the fairway at a safe speed.
  • Continue backing down the fairway until well clear of boats, docks, and rocks.  When safe, turn (while still backing) into the large turning area between D and E docks.
  • Transition (without looking at controls) into forward.

Section Name

At a minimum, each participant should perform the following maneuvers.

  • Motor in forward using the tiller only to turn the boat to port, starboard, and figure 8s.
  • Motor in forward using the tiller and motor to turn “quickly” to port and starboard.
  • Transition into reverse and practice turning to port, starboard, and figure 8s.  Explore the difference in turning with tiller only and tiller motor combination.
  • While in reverse increase the speed.  Point out the “pressure” felt on the tiller and discuss the results of letting go of the tiller while in reverse.  Letting go of the tiller while traveling fast in reverse will case the boat to abruptly and dangerously change direction.
  • Discuss the impact of the wind during transitions.

Return to the Dock

Docking should be practiced in a safe area before attempting to dock for real.  The recommended location to practice is at the “D” Dock pump out station on the same side (north side) as the boats are normally docked.

  • Bow and stern lines and line handlers should be in place.
  • Approach the dock slowly and under control from an angle of 30 to 45 degrees.
  • The bow of the boat should be directed to the cleat it will come to rest at.
  • Use neutral, forward, and reverse to bring the boat to a stop just before contact with the dock.
  • With the boat at a stop, the bow line handler should “capture” the cleat on the dock.  The line may be cast to the cleat or a boat hook may be used to assist.  Once the line is attached, the line handler will announce “bow line on”.
  • The helmsperson should now place the boat into reverse, point the aft end of the motor and tiller at an angle towards the dock, and pull the stern to the dock.  Once at the dock, the stern line can be attached to the dock and the announcement “stern line on” made.
  • The motor may now be shifted into neutral

Lunch

A 30 minute lunch break should be allotted at the appropriate time.  In many cases, lunch time will fall in the middle of the initial docking and motoring exercises.

BKB Day One PM