Why include an Ocean Passage?

This course was developed in response to a need in the industry for experienced Yachtmasters.

The students spend a 3 week period at sea crossing between Cape Town and Mauritius (either on the outgoing or incoming leg) which brings their level of skills and experience more into line with that expected by the captains and crew placement agencies overseas.  The passage is also beneficial for those aiming to become delivery skippers.

In addition to the standard RYA training, students also benefit from:

• Coastal passages and ocean crossings
  
• Long voyage victualling (food supplies)
• Ongoing celestial navigation
• Clearing in and out of foreign ports
• Pilotage in and around coral reefs
• Long distance weather routing
• Use of ocean currents
• Heavy weather sailing
• Long distance ship routines
• Watch systems
• Electronic navigation and safety equipment
• Active maintenance
• Fishing for the pot
• Extended time at sea with substantial mileage

The main features of this program follow:

The Ocean Passage

Crossing the Indian Ocean can only be described as an adventure... The Indian Ocean is unpredictable by nature and as such provides the ideal classroom for effective training and learning, and as a boat is only as safe as the person in charge is competent, it is vital that anyone learning to sail acquires overall competency.

The trip itself starts in Cape Town (outgoing leg) or Mauritius (incoming leg) following an initial five week period of basic RYA training at the Waterfront and Langebaan on the Cape West Coast.