I remember when I first started out with boats and how I used to do crazy and sometimes dangerous things like taking unnecessary risks with the weather, and so on...
"If there's one thing I can tell you, it's that understanding your boat, and how to operate it safely, is all about experience."
Most importantly though, I want you to know how operating your boat in this way will benefit you, your boat...and maybe even your pocket! That's where I come in. I now have nearly 25 years of experience in the commercial field, and if you add to that my interest in boats and the sea since, well, as early as I can remember, lets just call it a "Life-time" of experience which has resulted in the following professional qualifications;
Master:- Work boats (MCA Code) up to 24m load line length (Area Category 1)
Master:- Yachts and motor yachts up to 200 GT
(150NM from a safe haven)
OOW:- Yachts and motor yachts up to 500 GT
(Unlimited area)
MCA Boat Master:- Local area passenger vessels
(West Wittering to Portland)
It's become something I love and I feel very fortunate that I do what I love and I love what I do. I especially love the feeling I get when I can see that I've passed the skills I learned on to someone who is also willing to learn.
"What you will get under the tutorial guidance of an expert."
I
will go through basic safety on board and show you how you can protect
yourself and others who may be with you. (It's astounding how many
injuries are sustained from seemingly routine tasks)
I'll
demonstrate the principles of navigation and passage planning so that
you can safely get your boat from one port to another.
I will show you the best ways of manoeuvering the vessel, whether in calm, windy or tidal conditions.
I will help you take full advantage of the fact that you are in the best environment for learning (on board the vessel).
I
will show you, with worked examples, how to operate all systems on
board and offer explanations of how best to keep your boat in a
ship-shape condition.
I
will demonstrate some of the most basic and necessary principles of
seamanship...these are the skills you might need if things should go
wrong!
And finally, I'll help you find answers to any questions you have about your boat as we progress.
What really gives me the juice is that I get to meet you and guide you through something that took me years to learn, and in much less time. Don't get me wrong, I'll never feel like it's just me teaching you either. In fact, I truly believe that I will be learning from you too, and this is the part I'll be looking forward to.
"I'd like to offer you a one-time series of lessons on board YOUR boat."