Support the sailing program!

The first step to becoming a skipper is to start sailing! You must become very familiar with the boat and how to sail her. If you're new to coastal sailing, there is much to learn and the best place to learn is out on the water. Sign up for trips and let your captains know that you're interested in becoming a skipper. They may assign you various responsibilities on the trip.

The next step is to start helping maintain the boat. Get familiar with the systems on board and do your part to help keep her in good shape. Although the list of maintenance tasks may appear daunting, there is most certainly some way in which you can contribute.

When not out on the water, you can learn quite a bit about coastal sailing by getting yourself a good book on the subject. We recommend the following excellent texts:

Chapman Piloting & Seamanship
The Annapolis Book of Seamanship

If you already have experience sailing boats the size of X Dimension, then the process of becoming a skipper will likely be much quicker.

Skipper Requirements

To become an MIT bluewater skipper, you must:

obtain the Provisional, Crew, and Helmsman ratings
illustrate your comprehension of the X Dimension ship systems
illustrate your mastery of ocean sailing skills
demonstrate your ability to direct a crew
actively participate in the maintenance, upkeep, and improvement of the boat
participate in at least two skipper training cruises
teach at least one sailing class session at the pavilion each season
obtain approval from two other bluewater skippers by acting as captain on X Dimension trips with them
complete a US Coast Guard course such as OUPV (6-pack) or master license or ASA chartering course
be approved by the MIT Sailing Master

Bluewater Sailing Skills

Some of the skills that you need to master as a bluewater skipper include:

sailing onto and off of a mooring
proper use of lines when docking
proper use of winches and general line handling
understanding of mainsail and genoa trim, including proper use of sheets, traveler, vang, etc.
sail reefing techniques
anchoring skills
reading nautical charts
navigation techniques, such as dead reckoning and determining a fix
identification of bouys, lights, daybeacons, and other aids to navigation
understanding of tides
proper use of the ship's compass
proper use of GPS
proper use of Radar
VHF radio protocols
proper use of the diesel engine
knowledge of distress signals and other emergency procedures
comprehensive knowledge of U.S. and international Navigation Rules.
understanding of state and federal boating laws
and many others...