Cruising Instructor Course

Commodore Yachting’s Cruising Instructor course takes place over 5 days with one day being spent in the classroon and four days out on the water. You will need to already be a Commercially Endorsed Yachtmaster Offshore to take this course which is the first level RYA teaching qualification. After successfully completing the course and assessment you will be qualified to teach RYA Competent Crew and Day Skipper practical courses at any recognised RYA training centre. At Commodore Yachting this course is taught by school principal Stuart Cooper, who has many years of experience teaching all levels of students from absolute beginners to Yachtmasters.
You will be taught varied teaching techniques to enable to to make the most of the many different learning styles and enable you to get the very best out of your students. You will go learn how to plan your courses, make the most of all the training opportunites available as well as managing your time ensuring that you cover the whole RYA syllabus during a course. During the Cruising Instructor course you will take part in role play situations where you will find out how it feels to be both the instructor and the student.

Course fee : £575

Our next Cruising Instructor Course  : 2000hrs 18th – 23rd March

Cruising Instructors (CI) are able to teach up to the level of the Day Skipper practical course through an RYA recognised training centre. The course can be taken in either sail or motor cruisers, and your certificate will be endorsed accordingly.
Eligibility
Prior to the course candidates must fulfil the following criteria:

Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate of Competence;
First Aid certificate,*
Commercial endorsement;
Basic sea survival certificates;
Medical fitness examination (ML5, ENG1 or medical issued by a National Maritime Authority)
Validity
The qualification is valid for five years. After five years the CI must either be re-assessed or, preferably, progress to the Yachtmaster Instructor course.

Assessment
The assessment will be conducted by the Principal or chief instructor of an RYA recognised training centre. Some courses are also run centrally by the RYA.

Candidates will be assessed on their general suitability for instruction as well as specific skills.

*All candidates are required to hold a first aid certificate. Acceptable certificates include the RYA’s First Aid Certificate, First Aid at Work, First Aid at Sea, or any other certificate issued on completion of a course which is a minimum of one day’s duration, recognised by the Health and Safety Executive and includes the treatment of hypothermia, cold shock and drowning.

 

 

Syllabus

Instructional Technique

Can:

o Set up tasks and teaching sessions appropriate to individual students.

o Brief clearly to all the crew or individuals.

o Ensure tasks are undertaken correctly and safely.

o Debrief and provide plan for improvement.

o Give convincing practical demonstrations of any part of the Competent

Crew or Helmsman course and Day Skipper Practical course, including

the following:

Knots; sail handling and trim; man overboard; mooring; pilotage by day and

night; IRPCS; basic meteorology; navigation to Day Skipper Practical

standard; skippering ability including comprehensive knowledge of the yacht

and its equipment.

o Explain clearly any part of the Competent Crew or Helmsman and Day

Skipper Shorebased courses.

Knowledge

RYA Competent Crew or Helmsman and Day Skipper Shorebased and Practical

courses.

Understands:

o RYA Scheme

o Levels of competence required for award of certificates

o Duty of care

o Environmental protection issues

o Policies and procedures specific to the centre

Safety

Has a personal standard and style of skippering which engenders confidence

in beginners. Can give a comprehensive safety briefing using the centre’s

instructions.

Understands:

o Centre’s safety policy

o Accident reporting procedure

o Care of yacht

Personal Skills

Has the ability to welcome strangers on board and run a relaxed, happy ship.

Understands:

o How to gain feedback and deal with difficult customers and complaints

o The need for high personal standards

Instructors teaching Coastal Skipper courses must have a current instructor or

examiner endorsement.

Commercial endorsement

Instructors working on commercial vessels certificated under the Code of

Practice must have a commercial endorsement to their Ocean or Offshore

Yachtmasters certificate.

To obtain a commercial endorsement send the following to the RYA:

1. Copy of Sea Survival Certificate (issued following a one day course)*

2. Report of a medical fitness examination (form available from the RYA)*

3. Original Yachtmaster or Coastal Skipper certificate (i.e not photocopy)

4. Small fee

*Or outside the UK, the nationally approved equivalent.

First aid

Instructors must hold one of the following:

RYA one day Small Craft First Aid Course

Ships Captains Medical Course

First Aid at Sea

First Aid at Work (St John’s, Red Cross or St Andrew’s)

Public First Aid (SJA, SAA)

Medical or nursing qualification or higher standard

Overseas: A First Aid Certificate issued by a National Authority

The first aid and commercial endorsement requirements apply to

Yachtmasters, Cruising Instructors and Yachtmaster Instructors