Competent Helm

How to Sail Outside of Club Sessions

Competent Helm Dinghy Register

It is a requirement that all club members who sail outside of club session times are proficient sailors. In order to satisfy this the club operates the Competent Helm Register

Members may be added to the Competent Sailor Register if they provide written evidence of the required level of competency. This could be a RYA Dinghy level 3 certificate or a valid test certificate resulting from a Club Competent Helm Test.

Unfortunately we are unable to accept the RYA Seamanship module certificate as evidence of competency.

The Seamanship Certificate is not a certificate of competency. Perhaps the following quote from the RYA will help here

"A certificate should be awarded when the student has fully understood the material in the course syllabus………….for example – when launching - uses the correct techniques but sometimes appears uncontrolled.

Or. .. when sailing rudderless -. struggles badly all the time but understands how it works."

Clearly a sailor need not be competent but could be awarded a certificate.

To be added to the register a sailor must demonstrate that they are fully competent, in winds of above force 3, and do not require the any external assistance.

They must be able to:

1. make seamanlike decisions about when to sail,

2. rig the boat according to the conditions,

3. sail proficiently on all points of sailing,

4. cope with lee and windward shores in a seamanlike manner,

5. recover from a fully-inverted capsize

6. perform a man overboard manoeuvre efficiently and safely.

Basically the aim is to ensure that our members do not cause a problem by placing themselves in a position that requires assistance when Cluib safety boats are not on the water.

How to get on the register.

If you have an old RYA level 3 or 5 certificate just take a copy of it to the office where all the paperwork can then be completed.

If you are an experienced sailor but without a certificate there are three possible options as follows

1. Do the RYA Seamanship Skills module with the club. This module not only covers the areas required for CH but also includes such things as anchoring, sailing in adverse conditions. In short you will have been introduced to all of the skills you will require to sail independently on most waters. You will need to then need to practice these skills independently. At the end of the four days, assuming you have attained the required level of competency, you can then do the club CH test in addition to receiving the RYA Seamanship certificate.

2. If you cannot spare four days then you could do the join a club CH course. This is a one-day course and at the end of which you will have the opportunity to take the test. During the day our RYA instructors will cover all areas required for the CH test.

3. If you feel that you are able to satisfy all of the criteria for the test and do not require any training then you may just do the test. The test will last about one hour.

4. Most people find that they are a little rusty and that the course is most useful. In terms of experience gained and value for money the Seamanship Skills module is definitely ‘the best buy’.

   If you want to do your Competent Helm, have any questions about it or just where you need to go from here then give the BVSC Office a ring - they will put you in touch with an instructor.