Sail Training School

In the United Kingdom (UK), there are no rules that require for anybody to have formal qualifications to take a leisure craft to sea for private use. Of course, if the owner takes insurance for the craft then there may be restrictions that arise from the insurer themselves and indeed, the premiums that are paid may increase but in reality it is really the owner's responsibility. Most boat owners wish to take care of their prized possessions and passengers and many will take marine and training courses as a matter of priority. However, you do hear and read of stories where risks have been taken and where people have got into difficulties. There is, for example, the recently reported incident of a man who purchased a motor cruiser on an online auction and then decided to take it back by water from the Medway to the Solent. In principle, not an unreasonable trip but this particular person was relying on a road map and became confused by the Isle Of Sheppey. Thinking that the North Kent Mainland was France, they started to circumnavigate Sheppey on the basis that they were rounding Southeast England and heading back towards the Solent. Plans were poor and they ran out of fuel. Upon being rescued it was soon apparent that they were completely under qualified to handle the said vessel. Rumour has it that the journey was continued later and on account of no further news, we are to assume that it was uneventful. When on a family cruise some few years ago, we met a couple whilst waiting in Studland Bay to cross the Channel to Alderney. Having made it clear that they had not crossed the Channel before we agreed to remain in contact for the following day's crossing just in case any advice was required. They surprisingly followed exactly astern for the whole crossing. After a very quick crossing it was decided to continue beyond Alderney to Guernsey. Once we arrived, they were quick to ask when we would be sailing down to Guernsey! Clearly they had followed our course blindly and made no attempt to cross themselves. All fine unless fog had descended or an incident happen. There are of course many examples where the opposite applies. Some of our more well known yachting and boating celebrities have travelled far and wide with little or no formal qualifications. However, these are in the minority. If you are lucky enough, experience can be just as useful as formal training but for the vast majority of us, such experiences are not possible. There are many places which offer a wide variety of courses. In the United Kingdom the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) acts as the formal body which regulates and manages Sailing and Boating Schools. With the New Year comes a new idea and in this regard the RYA (Royal Yachting Association) will be launching a new training course. This is an online entry level course called 'Essential Navigation and Seamanship'. This would be a good course for anybody who is thinking of getting afloat or perhaps somebody who has had a go already and now feels the need to get some proper training. Anglia Sea Ventures are authorised to distribute and support this course within the local East Anglia region. Roger Gross from Anglia Sea Ventures has said that the course will be very popular to sailors, motor boaters, divers and anglers alike. A fun and interactive way of learning a full range of essential skills to get people started on the water, with an easy and flexible approach enabling learning where and when it suits! Subject areas include- Charts,publications and terms. Navigation. Anchoring. Electronic navigation. Weather forecasts. Passage planning. Buoyage. Safety. Tides. Rules of the road. Pilotage. Support from an instructor will be available. Perhaps the more experienced amongst the boating fraternity may also benefit from a refresher Sailing School Course. The January start date and online nature may prove to be ideal. With a wide breadth of knowledge and experience, Anglia Sea Ventures are proud to be supporting this new course and can only reiterate the importance of training. Anglia Sea Ventures are like many of their kind and have been providing formalised these typesof training courses for many years. A full range of courses are available at this Sailing School. RYA Sail and Powerboat training courses, day sail, gift experiences, yacht charter and yacht racing. Check out the Sailing School website at www.angliaseaventures.com Tel: 01473 210473. Adventure days include powerboat & sailing days, mini cruise and extended cruises. If you are looking for that slightly unusual gift then Anglia Sea Ventures have a selection of Gift Vouchers to suit. For the eager racers, plans are already in place for the J.P Morgan Asset Management Round The Island Race 2011 where you can not only enjoy the race itself but also the inevitable social scene of the event. Details on line. For the more experienced, in 2011 Anglia Sea Ventures are starting a Cruising Chute/Gennaker Course. Helping people unravel the mysteries and skills associated with these sails and endeavouring to give skippers and crew more confidence in their use. How many times do you get these sails out? Thinking of taking a new boat, or perhaps something different and larger perhaps, or maybe you just fancy a change! Then may be a charter might be good. Anglia Sea Ventures have various bareboat, skippered and corporate charter packages for you to consider. The East Anglia Coast of England offers brilliant sailing grounds. Above average temperatures and below average rainfall combine well and result in excellent sailing, fantastic scenery and a great company. All this to ensure you will have a fantastic holiday and experience to remember. For stories, Updates views and information on saling schools look at Sailing school stories, Updates views and courses , views and this site Updates, views views and stories