1. Preparation for Sea
Knowledge of
• Basic stability and buoyancy for small vessels.
Can
• Prepare a cruising vessel for sea, including engine checks, securing and stowage of all gear on deck and below
Selection of sails.

2. Deck Work
Can
• Prepare an anchor, mooring warps and take charge on deck when mooring alongside, coming to a buoy, anchoring, weighing anchor and slipping from a buoy or an alongside berth.
In addition for Sail
• Reef, shake out reefs and change sails to suit prevailing conditions.

3. Navigation
Is proficient in chart work and routine navigational duties on passage including:
Knowledge of
• The uses and limitations of AIS
Understands
• Working up Dead Reckoning (DR) and Estimated Position (EP)
• Use of a lead line or similar
• How to work out a course to steer to allow for tidal stream, leeway and drift
Can
• Take and plot visual fixes
• Use electronic navigation equipment for position fixing
• Use secondary means of position fixing
• Estimate tidal streams and tidal heights
• Use of waypoints and routes
• Use knowledge of IALA Buoyage
• Maintain navigational records
• Use an echo sounder

4. Pilotage
Can
• Prepare and execute a pilotage plan for entry into, or departure from, harbour
• Use leading and clearing lines
• Use transits and soundings as aids to pilotage

5. Meteorology
Understands
• How to interpret shipping forecasts and use a barometer as a forecasting aid
Can
• Source forecast information

6. Rule of the Road
Can
• Demonstrate suitable awareness of other water users both at sea and in close-quarter manoeuvring
• Demonstrate a practical understanding of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea

7. Maintenance and Repair Work
Knowledge of
• The properties and uses of common synthetic fiber ropes
Understands
• Maintenance tasks and is able to carry them out

8. 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
• Requirements for tool kits, spares and lubricants
• The location of filters and bleed points for fuel
• The tension of drive belts and how to adjust or replace them.
Can
• Carry out checks before starting, while running and after stopping
• Clean water filters and knows the location of impellors
• Estimate fuel consumption at various speeds and knows the effects of fouling
• Basic troubleshooting

9. Victualling
Understands
• How to victual a cruising yacht appropriately for the planned passage

10. Emergency situations
Understands
• How to issue distress signals by all available means, including distress flares and a VHF radio in an emergency
• How to use a life raft
• How to secure a tow
• Rescue procedures including helicopter rescue
• The effects of cold water shock on a casualty in the water
• The aftercare requirements of a casualty who has been in the water
Can
• Carry out the correct action as skipper for the recovery of a man overboard

11. Handling under Power
Knowledge of
• Effects of waves on boat handling and crew comfort
Understands
• Differing styles of hull and propulsion systems
• How to moor and leave a bow/stern to mooring (practical experience where possible)
• How to identify and take into account wind and current conditions when planning and executing manoeuvres (practical experience where possible)
Can
Carry out the following manoeuvres under power :
• Steer a straight course
• Turn in a confined space
• Anchor at a pre-determined position
• Berth alongside
• Leave an alongside berth
• Pick up a mooring buoy

12. Yacht Handling Under Sail
Understands
• The characteristics of different types of keels
• How to identify and take into account wind and current conditions when planning and executing maneuvers and choosing appropriate sail plan (practical experience where possible)
Can
• Bring a boat safely to and from a mooring buoy
• Anchor
• Steer and trim sails effectively on all points of sailing

13. Passage Making
Knowledge of
• Marina Locks
• Understands
• The practical benefits and limitations of a chart plotter or GNSS
Can
• Plan and make a coastal passage, taking account of relevant navigational hazards and limitations imposed by the type of boat and the strength of the crew

14. Night Cruising
Knowledge of
• Has experience of sailing at night, including leaving and entering a harbour
Understands
• Special considerations for pilotage plans, keeping a lookout and identifying marks by night