Bluewater Skipper

Overview

MIT Bluewater skipper’s first responsibility is for the safety of the ship, their shipmates, and themselves. It is further expected that Bluewater Skippers shall lead growth in the MIT sailing community, maintenance of the Bluewater vessel, and the development of the Bluewater sailing program. They shall demonstrate sound leadership and technical sailing skills.

Mission:

MIT Bluewater Skippers shall provide safe circumstances in which to operate a sailing vessel. They shall preserve or improve the health of the crew, the vessel, and the ocean environment. They shall seek to maximize the exposure of the MIT community to opportunities to enjoy this environment. They shall nurture the growth of technical and leadership skills among members of the MIT sailing community who seek them.

Ratings:

There are two levels for MIT Bluewater Skipper: Provisional and Full Skipper. The Provisional Skipper rating confers the privileges and responsibilities of sailing in Boston Harbor under Jib and Main during daylight hours. The Full Skipper rating includes the privileges and responsibilities of the basic rating and adds the privileges of sailing beyond the Boston vicinity under sail plans and conditions that are appropriate for the experience of the skipper and crew. All skippers must hold active sailing cards.

Provisional Skipper

Privileges:

• Responsible operation of the boat in the Boston Harbor during daylight hours under Jib and Main
• Selection of crew

Responsibilities:

• Safe operation of the vessel
• Schedule every trip through the MIT Sailing website
• Ensure selection of crew who haven’t sailed on X-Dimension before
• Contribute to the positive growth of the MIT sailing community by inspiring enthusiasm for sailing and developing the knowledge and skills of participants.
• Maintain the seaworthiness of the vessel
• Contribute to the improvement of vessel operability

Qualification Criteria:

• ASA 104, RYA, or USCG License
• Equivalent proof of knowledge, such as total accrual of 30 days of coastal sailing, passing USCG Captains test, USCG 6 pack training course, prior ownership of a keel boat, professional experience at sea.
• Pass two practical assessments for On the Water leadership, seamanship, and maintenance skills.

Skills which may be Assessed during On the Water Checkout Sails Leadership Skills:

• Self-Awareness – The skipper shall demonstrate that they are conscious of the impact their words and actions have on people they lead, both implicitly and explicitly. At all times, they shall make an effort to conduct themselves in a manner which supports the mission of safe operation and positive community development.
• Situational Awareness – The skipper shall demonstrate the ability to identify, process, and comprehend the critical elements of information about what is happening to the vessel and crew with regards to the mission of safe operation and positive community development. They shall avoid situations or events that degrade situational awareness and embrace opportunities to improve it. Specifically, the skipper shall take proactive steps to:
  • Ensure the communication of information related to the safe operation of the vessel including:
    • Traffic
    • Aids to navigation
    • Hazards to navigation
    • Matters related to the health of the crew
    • Situations which may impact the maneuverability of the vessel (e.g., weather, equipment state, rigging)
    • Skills and abilities of shipmates
  • Limit the propagation of false information
  • Eliminate uncertainty in their assessment of a situation

• Good Judgement – The skipper shall demonstrate the ability to perceive a situation and make a decision. Good decisions and good judgment support the mission of safe operation and positive community development. Judgment determines team actions in a given situation and depends on information that skippers have curated about themselves, their team, and the environment. Specifically the skipper shall take proactive steps to:
  • Gather information by soliciting input from teammates and environment
  • Cross Check information sources for consistency
  • Consider multiple solutions/contingencies
  • Consider the consequences of solutions
  • Provide a rationale for the selection of the most effective solution

• Communication – The skipper shall effectively exchange information. Specifically, s/he shall:
  • Acknowledge the receipt of information
  • Provide information when asked in appropriate situations
  • Ensure communication is accurately received, eg by repeating it.
  • Use, or define, terminology familiar to all parties involved in the communication
  • Inform appropriate individuals when plans change
  • Communicate all information needed by those external to the watch

• Assertiveness – Assertiveness is the ability of team members to state and maintain a position that may be counter to the position of others, until convinced by the facts, not the authority or personality of another, that their position is wrong. The skipper shall advocate open and questioning communication by team members. S/He shall maintain a mutually respectful environment.

• Risk Management – Risk management is a process by which we can maintain an acceptable level of safety during the operation of a vessel. Through observation, discussion, training and foresight the skipper shall mitigate all known risks to the safe operation of the vessel. Specifically, s/he shall:
  • Accept no unnecessary risk
  • Make risk decisions at the appropriate level
  • Accept risk when benefits outweigh the costs

• Flexibility and adaptability – Sailing trips do not always go as planned. By exercising the leadership skills outlined above, the skipper shall demonstrate the ability to change plans, assignments and goals to best support the safe operation of the vessel and positive growth of the sailing community as situations and environments evolve.

Seamanship Skills:

• Basic seamanship skills outlined in Bluewater Crew rating
• Compliance with the Standing Orders
• Mooring – The skipper shall demonstrate the ability to pick up and secure a mooring line at a water speed of 0.0kts
• Refueling
• Docking
• Pumping out the Holding Tank
• Helmsmanship - The skipper shall demonstrate the ability to hold a course for 30 minutes with no more than +/- 5 degrees from the course ordered, excepting situations which jeopardize the safety of the vessel or its crew.
• Navigation – The skipper shall not navigate the vessel into waters with depths of less than 15 feet in sea conditions less than Force 4
• Human Overboard - Dummy Recovery in less than 5 minutes, with a waterspeed of less than 0.2kts during recovery.
• Change of headsails and reefing
• Engine- Check fuel, Oil, coolant levels
• Battery - Check Battery Status

Provisional Fast Track

The Bluewater community recognizes that members may enter the community with significant prior experience which they would like to share to grow the program. Some examples of 'significant prior experience' may be ownership of a keelboat, extensive racing experience, significant bareboat skippering experience, charter/delivery captains, or professional training in a maritime institution such as a military service, merchant marine academy, or the American Association of Tall Ships.

The process to follow the Fast Track to the Provisional Skipper License, which confers the same privileges and responsibilities as the Provisional Skipper, is outlined here.

Fast Track Procedure

• Obtain a letter of nomination from an active skipper or sailing master
• Attend an orientation sail
• pass and On-The-Water Assessment, conducted by a skipper who did not write the nomination letter
• Review the Bluewater Mission and Skipper expectations with the Sailing Master

Full Skipper

Privileges:

• Responsible operation of the boat beyond Boston Harbor
• Selection of Sail Plan, including spinnaker
• Selection of crew

Responsibilities:

• Safe operation of the vessel
• Schedule every trip through the MIT Sailing website
• Ensure selection of crew who haven’t sailed on X-Dimension before
• Contribute to the positive growth of the MIT sailing community by inspiring enthusiasm for sailing and developing the knowledge and skills of participants.
• Maintain the seaworthiness of the vessel
• Contribute to the improvement of vessel operability