Skipper Certification Test

To determine whether Members are ready for the responsibilities of being a Club Skipper, a Skipper Certification Test has been developed over the years.  This is a pass/fail test which may take up to 3 hours.

You must successfully complete all items on the test to pass.  If you do not successfully complete any items, you can retest for those specific items at a later date. 

It is common for a Skipper Candidate not to pass the test on their first try.  Not to worry.  This test is educational.  Every time you take it, you will learn and become a better skipper.  At the end of your test, you will be informed of the items which need more work.  Please follow all suggestions carefully, work to improve and then you may retake the test.

When you take your certification test, you must bring along your:

  1. fully operating handheld VHF radio
  2. chart of the harbor
  3. current Eldridge tide book

Failure to bring these items will result in automatic failure of the certification test.

Following are the items which applicants for Skipper Privileges will be tested on:

A. Local Conditions

  1. Open chart of harbor and identify for instructor: wreck in the harbor, reef, nun buoy and can buoy.
  2. Explain how to determine if chart is in fathoms or feet. 
  3. Calculate distance from Verrazano Bridge to Battery and how you arrived at this.
  4. Identify the worst reef in the harbor.
  5. Identify normal traffic lanes for Staten Island Ferry, NY Waterway Ferry, Circle Line & cruise ships.
  6. Identify which way to leave buoys when entering and leaving a channel.
  7. Explain the meaning of 1 horn, 2 horns, 3 horns and 5 horns from another vessel.
  8. According to club rules, which vessels should our sailboats give way to?
  9. Explain the sail to sail rules: port-starboard, windward-leeward, overtaking.
  10. Explain when a sailboat is considered a powerboat.
  11. Explain the fundamental power to power rule: danger zone or passing port side to port side
  12. Explain how to determine high and low tide in Eldridge Tide Book. Determine the next and most recent high and low tide.
  13. Calculate and explain method for determining direction of current at Battery and when it will next change.

B. Safety Consciousness

  1. Demonstrate proper method for filing a float plan.
  2. Check vessel's safety gear before sailing - lifejackets, fire extinguisher, flares, anchor, horn or sound device, type IV PFD, bucket, pump, secure lazarettes, secure fore hatch & check navigation lights.
  3. Demonstration on how to obtain weather forecast for NY Harbor on vhf radio.
  4. Describe a sailing plan for the next 6 hours based on weather conditions.
  5. How to get emergency weather updates while sailing.

C. Sailing Skills

  1. Demonstrate correct wearing of PFD.
  2. Demonstrate knots: figure eight, square knot, bowline, clove hitch, cleat hitch, coil.
  3. Explain purpose of cunningham, outhaul, boomvang & traveler.
  4. Demonstrate proper winch usage and use of winch handle including storage.
  5. How to safely add wraps to winch.
  6. How to clear and override on the winch.
  7. Explain correct sail selection for various wind conditions (0-12 kts, 12-20 kts, 20-25 kts, 25+)
  8. Select the correct foresail for weather conditions and crew.
  9. Personally rig the foresail.
  10. Demonstrate proper fueling method of taking tank off boat.
  11. Explain how vent cap on fuel tank works and why it should be open at all times while on boat.
  12. Demonstrate correct way for running fuel line past lazarrete cover.
  13. Demonstrate ability to start outboard engine.
  14. Demonstrate test for forward and reverse.
  15. Make sure sails are ready and secure (i.e. halyards are clear, mainsail tied off with sail tie, mainsheet cleated).
  16. Demonstrate proper use of VHF for getting clearance to cast off from dock.
  17. Demonstrate ability to back up from slip in straight line.
  18. Demonstrate ability to operate tiller and engine in unison.
  19. Demonstrate correct procedure for blowing horn to exit North Cove and maintaining a look out.
  20. Hoist sails by directing crew.
  21. Set appropriate luff tensions.
  22. Demonstrate proper storing of halyards while sails up.
  23. Sail oblong course while performing successful tacks and jibes including giving correct commands.
  24. Demonstrate proper techniques for sailing close-hauled, reaching & running.
  25. Identifying a lee shore.
  26. Steer the sailboat by the lee without jibing.
  27. Demonstrate stopping the boat and getting underway.
  28. Put the boat in irons and demonstrate how to get out of irons.
  29. Explain the first things you do if a crew falls overboard.
  30. Demonstrate crew overboard recovery technique.
  31. Start engine.
  32. Lower sails by directing crew.
  33. Demonstrate how to get VHF permission to enter North Cove.
  34. Inside North Cove, demonstrate under engine power an ability to turn the boat "on a dime" for 3 revolutions.
  35. Pretend engine is not functioning and demonstrate how to propel boat by rocking and complete 1 circle while propelled by rocking.
  36. Demonstrate ability to dock boat without using reverse.
  37. Demonstrate proper dock line tie up.
  38. Demonstrate ability to roll mainsail and fold foresails and store properly in bag in forepeak.
  39. Demonstrate cleaning all garbage from cabin, reordering life jackets and washing down boat.

D. How Club Operates

  1. Explain what times a boat can go sailing.
  2. Explain in what weather conditions a boat can go sailing.
  3. Explain penalty for not getting a boat back to dock before thunderstorm, squall or darkness.
  4. Explain procedure for making reservations.
  5. Explain how Fleet Captain Program works.
  6. Explain where to get club rules.
 

 

 

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