Skipper School Melbourne
All new members joining the club are required to attend our skipper school in Melbourne. Our members have a wide range of expertise, from novices to the very experienced. So, for our members’ safety, we conduct a ten hour introductory course. The club has over 10,000 training hours accumulated since 2007.
The best reason to do our Skipper School is that it can, without a doubt, increase one’s confidence and make boating even more enjoyable. The course is a one-on-one hands-on practical skipper school on a luxury sports cruiser. The course provides a comprehensive overview of all boating topics including basic boat work. It is designed for all levels of experience.The course is a one-on-one hands-on practical course on a luxury sports cruiser. The course provides a comprehensive overview of all boating topics including basic boat work. It is designed for all levels of experience. New boaties are required to attend our recommended theory class encompassing 4 hours material followed by a test which can be presented to Vic Roads for a recreational boat license.
The course provides a comprehensive overview of all boating topics including basic boat work. It is designed for all levels of experience. The minimum age for participants is 22 years old.
Skipper School covers:
- Basic safety
- Safety equipment
- Radio
- Weather
- Collision regulations
- Lights
- Navigation
- Responding to emergencies
- Boating in Port Phillip Bay
- Fueling procedure
- Maneuvering in confined spaces
- Coming alongside / Leaving berth
- High speed boat work
Course Timetable
(insert timetable)
Course Content
Instrumentation
Fuel Gauge: Check the tanks if full before departing
Temperature
Trim tabs
Switches
Boat clears roll up
Safety Equipment
On Board: flares, fire extinguishers, life jackets, life buoy
Power Box
Understand all the power settings
Generator / Shore Power
Danger of leaving lights and appliances on
Toilet Operation
How to avoid blocked toilets, responsibility for toilet choke: $250 charge
Marine Safety Book & Parks Victoria Charts
Member to receive chart with no-go zones marked up
Leaving the Dock
The blower, lines, all aboard, clear passage, slow departure
Underway
Practical application of rules in safe loading, buoyage in the Yarra River and on the bay, speed limit in the bay and Yarra River, awareness of speeding fines, drink driving rules
Generally speaking, 5 knots is considered to be a fast walking pace.
A 5 knot speed limit applies within:
- 50m of:
- A swimmer
- Another vessel
- A wharf, jetty, slipway, diving platform, boat ramp, anchorage
- 100m of an underwater diver
- 200m of the water’s edge
- 300m of a whale or dolphin
Radio
Radio Distress: How to call for help, report position, Coastguard, Water Police channel 88 or 16, Harbor Master channel 12 (listen only), Channel 77 boat to boat
Berthing
Different jetties, lines, fenders, tides, winds
Anchoring
Chain paid out should be three times the depth of water, increased to five times in rougher seas
Close Quarters Operation
Dead slow, watch for other vessels, identify wind speed and direction and adjust accordingly
High Speed Trims
Adjust slowly with multiple adjustments, use only one trim at a time, return to home position once wind or directions changes
Reefs Sandbars
Non-operational areas mark up the charts
Channel & Transit Zones
Orientation from the bay
Weather
Strong wind warning 25 knots and up to 33 knots
Gale Warning 34 knots and up to 47 knots
Storm Warning 48 knots or more
Re Fuel Procedures
The blower on for 4 minutes, unleaded fuel ONLY, fill up after use, cost of fuel not included in course fees
General Operation
Navigation lights, no cruising after sunset, night training
