Commercial Crew Course
Departure Times
Departure Point: Airlie Beach
Pricing Options
A fun and practical course, introducing you to the overall running of a yacht!
- Lean theory and skills to sailing
- Train from on board Eureka II
- International Yacht Training program syllabus
- Visit top Whitsundays locations as added bonus
- Walk away with sailing experience and knowledge!
The Commercial Crew Course includes training on safety, regulations and manoeuvres enabling students to build their confidence and knowledge of yachts. Your course will take place on board the most modern performance yacht Eureka II, which is a Sydney 60 in full commercial survey, meeting the National Standards for Commercial Vessels (NSCV)! While completing Theory and Practice on board the yacht, over the 6 days and 5 nights participants also get to experience the beautiful Whitsunday Islands, including around 2 hours to experience Whitehaven Beach, plus snorkelling on the Pristine Fringing Coral Reefs extending from Hook and Hayman Islands. Your course will include, accommodation onboard, all meals freshly prepared onboard, snorkel equipment and instruction, Professional Instructor, Course Notes, Commercial Sea-time Log Book, Course Certificate. From day 1 of this training, you will be earning valuable commercial sea-time signed-off in your Log Book. You will be given a comprehensive set of course notes, tailored to meet the requirements of working on a commercial yacht in the Whitsundays.
Important Information
- This course is a pre-requisite for the International Flotilla Skipper an/or International Bareboat Skipper course.
The Commercial Crew Course covers the International Yacht Training Program Syllabus
- Marine Terminology
- Types of vessels, parts of vessels and equipment names
- Safety Equipment - life jackets, flares, life raft, first aid kit, fire Extinguishers, safety harnesses, VHF radio
- Relative direction, fore/aft, bows/stern, ahead/abeam/astern, port/starboard, windward/leeward
- Marine Ropework
- Review the following knots - round turn and two half hitches, clove hitch, figure of eight stopper knot
- Tie the following knots - bowline, reef knot, rolling hitch and sheet band
- Basic Rules of the Sea
- Collision avoidance, between sailing vessels, power and sailing vessels and power vessels
- Keep right (starboard) side in channelled, buoys, beacons and buoyage systems
- Introduction to Weather
- Sources of weather forecasts
- Importance of weather for yachtsmen, to sail or not to sail
- Sails and Sail Handling
- Explanation of how sails work
- Points of sail and sailing terms
- Parts of the rigging, standing and running
- Boat Handling Under Power
- Effects of wind, tide and currents
- Basic manoeuvring
- Planning the First Voyage
- Briefing about passage, to include introduction to charts, tide tables, weather forecasts
- Safety onboard and equipment
- Location and use of - life jackets, flares, life raft, first aid kit, fire extinguishers, safety harnesses, VHF radio
- Do's and Don'ts aboard a yacht
- Emergency situations, MOB, Fire etc.
- Vessel Equipment & Instruments
- VHF radio, sounder, log, GPS, Radar
- Dinghy location, inflation, launch and recovery outline
- Engine Checks & Maintenance
- Lubricant condition and levels, coolant condition and levels, drive belt tension and condition
- Tool, kit, spare parts and service items
- Visual checks and aids to monitoring engine condition
- Engine room discipline and cleanliness
- Deck Hand Seamanship
- Stowage for sea, above and below decks
- Correct use of, care and stowing of ropes, lines and fenders, and throwing a line
- Mediterranean bows/stern-to mooring
- Sails & Sail Handling
- Headsail furling
- Sailing Vessel Handling Skills
- Propeller effect when in gear ahead and astern
- Rudder effect, rudder and propeller effect
- Steer a triangular compass course
- Marine Terminology
- Seaworthiness, stability factors
- Types of ropes, qualities, uses
- Whipping and splicing
- Basic Rule of the Sea
- Introduction to lights, shapes and sound signals
- Marine Charts & Compass
- How to use a compass
- Course steered, and bearings of objects from the vessel
- Basic fix using hand bearing compass and plotting fix
- Course to steer, distance and ETA
- Sails & Sail Handling
- Sail types, storm jib, storm trysail, construction and uses
- Selection of headsails
- Marine Manners, Customs & Etiquette
- Courtesy in marinas and anchorages, vessels alongside and prevention of unnecessary noise
- Safety of vessel and crew
- Responsibility of Skipper, authority and stress factors
- Crews duties and responsibilities
- Safety Checks
- Location of skin fittings/through hulls, and sea cocks
- Engine warning lights and alarms
- Emergency stopping of runaway engine, fuel cut off, etc
- Deck Hand Seamanship
- Slipping from and mooring to:
- An alongside berth
- A mooring buoy
- Fore and aft buoys or piles - where applicable
- Slipping from and mooring to:
- Sails & Sail Handling
- Bending on, hoisting, lowering and reefing mainsails etc.
- Handling and coordination of main sheets and jib sheets
- Sail controls, effect of halyards, outhauls, topping lift and kicking
- Strops or vangs
- Sail trim, tension, kicking strops/vang etc.
- Sailing Vessel Handling Skills
- Under Sail
- Steering, tacking, gibing, turning upwind/downwind, luffing up, bearing away, trim
- Sail a triangular course
- Sail a compass course
- Heaving to, lying a hull
- Under Power
- Steer a compass course
- MOB, anchoring, pick up a mooring buoy
- Propeller effect when in gear ahead and astern
- Rudder effect, rudder and propeller effect
- Steer a triangular compass course
From day one of this course, you will start building up your sea time, earning valuable experience that will be signed off in you log book and can be counted towards your sailing qualifications. The Commercial Crew course is the perfect place to develop your interest in yachting.
Boat Layout
Tap the hotspots on the floor plan below to view Eureka II.
- Private Double Cabin - Double bed in private cabin, requiring 2 people
- Shared Accom - Double and single beds in shared/open plan area
Sample Itinerary
Whitehaven Beach
Guests on board Eureka II will get to enjoy a stop at the ever-so stunning Whitehaven Beach. Famous for its pure silica sands and seemingly endless shoreline, Whitehaven Beach has been voted one of the best beaches in Australia. It is located on the largest island of the 74 Whitsunday Islands, providing a perfect beach escape.
Hill Inlet Lookout
A short bushwalk in land will lead you to the equally famous Hill Inlet Lookout, which will give you unparalleled views of the beach below and the swirling sands of Hill Inlet. The swirling sands below are created through the ever-changing tides that leave behind a kaleidoscope of blue and white. Capture this moment in a photo and in memory while on board Eureka II.
Snorkelling
The crew on board Eureka II will take you to all the hot spots in the area and provide you with all the necessary gear and tuition if you need it. Below the waterline the Whitsundays offers an array of colourful corals and amazing marine mammals and fish. The waters are a pristine blue and a beautiful temperature year round. Because of the low passenger numbers this vessel can get to locations that are more remote and off the beaten track so your guaranteed a unique experience without the crowds.
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What To Bring
Please bring only a small soft bag with: change of clothes, hat, swim-wear, beach towel, sunscreen 30+, warm pullover for the evenings (seasonal). You will also need to bring your own alcoholic beverages, available for purchase at the marina or in town. No glass bottles please.
Excess luggage can be stored at several places in town including at your accommodation. Most charge between $5-10pp for the duration of your trip....
