Bluewater Crew Rating
This is a list of the bluewater ratings and the skills required to obtain them. This document is a work in progress. Once it stabilizes, the official ratings and checklists will be posted at the sailing.mit.edu site proper.
Bluewater Ratings
These are the bluewater ratings:
Crew. The crew rating indicates that you are familiar with the ship's systems and have at least basic skills in operating them.
Basic Skipper. With a basic rating you are authorized to skipper within Boston Harbor during daylight hours.
Night Skipper. With a night rating you are authorized to skipper within Boston Harbor during daylight and night hours.
Intercoastal Skipper. With an intercoastal rating you are authorized to skipper anywhere along the New England coast.
Procedure
To become an MIT bluewater skipper, you must:
- obtain the Provisional, Crew, and Helmsman ratings
- teach at least one sailing class session at the pavilion each season
- illustrate your comprehension of the ship systems
- demonstrate 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
- obtain approval from two other bluewater skippers after acting as captain on trips with them
- complete a licensed sailing course such as:
- ASA basic coastal cruising certification (http://www.american-sailing.com/asa_standards/standard_basic_coastal_cruising.html)
- ASA advanced coastal cruising certification (http://www.american-sailing.com/asa_standards/standard_advanced_coastal_cruising.html)
- US Coast Guard Captain - OUPV (6-pack) or Master (http://www.uscg.mil/NMC/cb_capt.asp)
- be approved by the MIT Sailing Master
Bluewater Skills
- knots including bowline, clove hitch, rolling hitch, taut line hitch
- cleating and coiling lines for various situations
- motoring onto and off of a mooring
- sailing onto and off of a mooring
- docking against a floating dock
- docking against a fixed dock or piling
- proper use of lines when docking
- anchoring skills
- proper use of dinghy and outboard engine
- proper use of winches and general line handling
- understanding of mainsail and headsail trim, including proper use of sheets, traveler, vang
- sail reefing techniques
- 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
- understanding of weather patterns, monitoring, and forecasting
- proper use of the ship's compass
- proper use of GPS
- proper use of Radar
- VHF radio protocols
- knowledge of distress signals and other emergency procedures
- comprehensive knowledge of U.S. and international Navigation Rules
- understanding of state and federal boating laws
- understanding and proper use of ship systems
- electrical systems (12v and 110v)
- diesel engine
- head, pumping out
- freshwater system
- refrigerator
