This course aims to bring participants to the level where they are competent to navigate on short coastal passages.
There will be at least 45 hours of classroom time. There will be approximately 4 hours of home study involved between each course.

Venue : Heir Island Roaringwater Lodge

Duration : 3 weekends

Time: 9 to 1 am; 2 to 6 pm

(Please bring a packed lunch or arrange lunches and/or overnight stays with Patricia Moore 086 8502886)

Cost : €450

The price of the course includes the student pack of the Irish Sailing Association (value €50).

Weekend’s dates: 27/28th March, 10/11th  & 24/25th April 2010

Enquiries at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Booking by ringing John Moore 086 8192342

Certification
Students may receive certification when:
 They have attended at least 80% of the course
 They have completed all of the assessment papers to a standard acceptable to the instructor
 They have demonstrated an understanding of the principals taught during the course

Course Curriculum
 Chart work forms a major part of the course and the student will learn how to correctly interpret a chart and to use it for the purpose of safe navigation
 Position fixing, GPS use, clearing lines and navigational marks
 Tides and tidal heights are explained and students will learn how to calculate flows and heights for any location around our coast
 "Rules of the Road" (Collision Regulations) - Right of Way, overtaking rules, give way situations, navigational lights and identifying different types of vessels
 Buoyage systems - port and starboard marks, cardinal marks, special marks. What they mean and correct use around them
 Passage planning and pilotage. How to use the tide to your advantage. Calculating a course to steer allowing for tidal flow and wind. Estimating the time required for a passage
 Dead reckoning and Estimated Position. Fixing a position
 Weather - Sources of information. Basic theory, what to expect. Weather Systems and effects
 Safety - Communications. Fire Prevention and fighting. Use of safety equipment. Use of safety devices both electronic and manual. Crew Considerations
 Types of boats. Limitations of different types of boats
 Safe Boating. Outlines correct procedures when planning a trip. Safety equipment and their use

The course compliments modern electronic navigation aids like GPS by showing you what they can do as well as how to use the information they give most effectively.  

Students are required to use the provided ISA course pack which contains course notes, workbooks with sample questions, practice charts, course almanac and safety booklet with CD.
You will need a pair of Dividers and a Portland Plotter. They are available at CH Marine and Atlantic Boating in Skibbereen.