The Watch Leader course is conducted on board a large cruising vessel or a motor/sail training vessel (over 15m Length Overall (LOA)). You will learn about watchkeeping, seamanship and navigation up to the standards required for taking charge of a watch on deck, at sea or in harbour, under the supervision of a deck officer.
Minimum Duration: 5 days
The recommended minimum age for the award of the certificate is 14
Preparation for Sea
Knowledge of:
- Stability
Can:
- Secure and stow all gear on deck and below
- Prepare crew
- Carry out engine, life-saving and firefighting apparatus checks
- Additional for Sail:
- Steer and trim sails on all points of sailing
Deck Work
Can:
- Organise a watch to carry out the following duties:
- Prepare, drop and weigh anchor
- Prepare, send and retrieve warps while coming to or slipping alongside
- Mooring to and slipping from a buoy
- Additional for Sail:
- Sail hoists and sail drops
- Reefing and shaking out reefs
Navigation
Knowledge of:
- The uses and limitations of Automatic Identification System (AIS)
Understands:
- IALA buoyage
- Use of a lead line, or similar
Can:
- Plot a fix using electronic means
- Maintain navigational records
- Use an echo sounder
Pilotage
Understands:
- The use of leading lines, clearing lines, transits, and soundings
Meteorology
Understands:
- Sources of forecast information
Can:
- Record weather forecasts from radio broadcast sources
Rules of the Road
Can:
- Demonstrate a practical understanding of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea
Maintenance and Repair Works
Understands:
- The importance of using protective equipment and safe procedures when carrying out maintenance
- The use and properties of common synthetic
- Correct procedures for control, handling and disposal of hazardous substances
Can:
- Carry out regular checks on all machinery and equipment as per manufacturers’ specifications
- Identify chafe and wear & tear
Engines
Has a working knowledge of the prevention of common engine faults and is competent in the following areas:
Understands:
- The need for periodic maintenance checks on engines and electrical installations
- The requirements for tool kits, spares and lubricants
- The location of filters and bleed points for fuel
- The tension of drive belts and how to change them
Can:
- Carry out checks before starting, while running and after stopping
- Clean water filters and knows the locations of impellers
- Estimate fuel consumption at various speeds and knows the effects of fouling
Victualling
Understands:
- The principles of food hygiene
- How to victual and make provision for consumables such as water and gas
Can:
- Monitor usage of victuals and freshness of perishables
Tender
Understands:
- Safety equipment for tenders
- Loading rules; launch and recovery
Knowledge of:
- Safety operate a tender under power
- Use a kill cord at all times when under power
Emergency Situations
Understands:
- The correct action to take as watch leader during: fire, sinking, abandonment, or the recovery of an MOB
- How to operate all life-saving and firefighting appliances on board including: watertight doors; hatches and storm boards; life rafts, fire extinguishers, and distress flares
- Helicopter rescue procedure
- The effects of cold-water shock on a casualty in the water
- How to send a distress message by VHF/DSC
General Watchkeeping
Can:
- Carry out watch-leading duties while at sea or in harbour with respect to:
- Standing orders and watch bills
- Domestic duties
- The even apportioning of workload
- Maintenance of personal standards