On completion of this course, the successful sailor will be capable of manoeuvring a dinghy/keelboat/multi hull in a seamanlike manner and making seamanship decisions in moderate conditions.

It will be assumed that every student starting this course has already mastered the practical skills and absorbed the background knowledge required for Basic Skills Level 2.

Tuition will be given by trained instructors, using appropriate supervision ratios with regard to the location and competence of the students. Much of the work afloat will be done without an instructor aboard. The emphasis is on increasing the self reliance and decision making of the sailor.

Students will be informed of their individual progress throughout the course.

Practical

Rope work

• Can tie a fisherman's bend and sheet bend
  Can do heat sealing and whipping
• Launching and recovery
  Can leave and return to beach, jetty or mooring, including windward and leeward shore
• Sailing techniques and manoeuvres
  Is able to: Heave to, Reef afloat, Recover man overboard, Be towed by a power vessel, Anchor, including principles and techniques for different circumstances, Sail backwards, Sail in adverse circumstances (no rudder, no centreboard) Knows how to prepare road trailer and secure trailer ashore.

Onshore Teaching

• Sailing theory and background
  Understands the following terminology:
  windward, leeward, abeam, forward, aft, ahead, astern, to weather, downwind, amidships, quarter, pinching, sailing by the lee, luff, bear away, planing, sternway, broaching
  Knows and can apply the following International Regulations for the Prevention of Collisions at Sea (IRPCS):
  Meeting other sailing vessels, meeting power driven vessels, following or crossing narrow channels, action by stand on vessel
• Capsize recovery
  Knows how to recover from total inversion (practical session if possible)
  Meteorology
• Knows sources of information on weather patterns for the day, can interpret forecasts and understand local effects, Aware of Beaufort Wind Scale and changing weather conditions, including fog.