Braving the Fastnet for charity - next step Day Skipper

Jo Giffen, Chairman Giffen Group

After completing my Comp Crew course it was now time to embark upon the more extensive examination of the Day Skipper theory and practical courses.

Of course being a classic ‘all the gear no idea’ sailor I also invested in Musto foul-weather gear & sailing shoes. I have to say that despite the wince and damage to my credit card they proved to be an excellent investment. (Note to self, must have a word with Musto about this free advert!)

The Day Skipper Theory course was from 23 – 27 February inclusive. The trip to the course was a bit of adventure in itself. A Fast Cat ride from Portsmouth to Ryde (seem to remember a bit of shallow water there?), a No 4 bus to East Cowes, and then the Chain ferry across Medina River (must remember to avoid those chains if ever dodging the ferry in a boat!).

Digs were at ‘Point Cottages’ which were functional and surprisingly clean.

Digs at Point Cottages

The course leader was Andy Hunt who really knows his stuff and delivered the course in a practical style.

Now the shock. This was no feet up jolly. I was in the class room 0900 hrs to 1800hrs and can you believe it I had homework too! Obviously the odd beer or two at night and my (young) fellow students did rather lead me a stray. This included a fun 21st birthday bash in the Pier View and rather too many beers in the Anchor.

The course was extensive covering just about everything I might need to know about skippering a boat in local waters.

• Day 1
o Charts; chart datum; latitude & longitude
o Compass bearings; variation & deviation
o Numerous exercises

• Day 2
o Sails; lamina flow
o Anchorage
o Position fixing
o Tides & tidal theory
o Springs; neaps; tidal stream atlas; secondary ports
o Numerous exercises

• Day 3
o Safety & the environment
o Personal safety equipment
o Fire extinguishers; 1st aid kit; flares
o Helicopter rescues
o May Day; Pan Pan
o EPIRB’s
o Tidal Flows; tidal atlas; tidal diamonds
o Height of tide calculations
o Navigation
o Dead reckoning
o Estimated position
o Tidal vectors and leeway

Numerous exercises

• Day 4
o Navigation continued
o Course to steer
o IRPCS (International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea)
o Give way/ stand on vessels
o Sound signals
o Day shapes (Anchor ball; motoring cone etc)
o Lights on vessels
o IALA (International Association of Lighthouse Authorities)
o Buoyage
o Lateral markers; Cardinal markers; Isolated dangers; Safe water markers; Special markers
o Lights; flashing; occulting; isophase; fixed
o Rising & dipping distances
o Leading lights; sectored lights
o GPS (Global Positioning System)
o Numerous exercises

• Day 5
o Meteorology
o Frontal systems
o Warm; cold; occulted
o Coriolis effect
o Wind effects on weather
o Weather forecasts; forecast terminology
o Sea breeze; land breeze; fog
o Passage Planning
o Time; Tide; Weather; Crew; Safety; Navigation; Pilotage plan
o Exams
o 1 ½ hrs general
o 1 ½ hrs chart work

Despite the culture shock of being faced with exams I was delighted to know that I had passed. A real sense of achievement. Definitely worth it and learnt more in the week than I would have though possible.

Now for a bit of R&R. At the end of the course I was picked up by a proud Mrs G and headed for the highly recommended George Hotel, Yarmouth. Very civilised; comfortable; good food and a good base from which to explore the Island. (Second advert in one blog!)

After a weekend in the warm and comfort of the hotel it was time to head back to ‘sea’ and front up to the day skipper practical course.

Day Skipper Practical 2 – 6 March inc

On the first day I met my crew, only one of which was on the previous week’s theory course. Varying skill levels from trainee instructor to competent crew.

Our boat for the course was ‘Hot Stuff’ a Beneteau 40.7 First. This was the same boat as my Comp Crew course and the one I will hopefully sail on the Fastnet: Fast yet comfortable.

              Hot Stuff

Again this was no soft touch course. We were the first boat out and last back in most days and our skipper Matt was a hard but fair task master. I was shocked to realise that again I had to do some swotting in the evening before being released to the pub. The crew excelled in this respect and we won the inter-boat ‘pub quiz’ on last night.

The course saw us visit most parts of the Solent including: Cowes, Yarmouth, Hamble, Gosport, Beaulieu River and Lymington.

I had been warned that at this time of year it could be a little demanding weather wise and that was proved correct. We got the lot! Wind 3-9, sun, rain, sleet and snow!

Much like the theory course we covered a great deal of ground during the week. The following should provide a taste for what was covered.

o Mooring under sail
o Man overboard under sail
o Dead reckoning
o Course to steer
o Transits
o Height of tide & secondary port calculations
o Clearing bearings
o Night passage – Cowes to Gosport
o Pilotage plans
o Lights; buoys; sector lights; shore lights (pretty confusing at night with all the lights on land around the Solent…so much read and green!)
o Lots of general boat handling including single-handed reefing

By the end of a week I’d learnt as much as I could, got cold, angry and frustrated. Became elated when the sun broke through the clouds – I’d passed. A very happy chap!

The trip home was punctuated by a few nodding dog episodes on the bus and ferry before returning back to the family home and the welcoming comfort of a warm living room and sofa. Bed never felt so good. Did I dream of being at sea? Of course I did! Bring on the races.

Jo is doing the Fastnet to raise money for the Cancer Treatment and Research Trust Appeal, based at Mount Vernon Hospital.
Support the Cancer Treatment and Research Trust Appeal >> 

The Flying Fish Fastnet Campaign is full but there are still a couple of berths left for the Cowes Week Campaign in August >> and the Sydney Hobart in December >>