Old Qualifications and Requirements
The club is now using
ASA standards. This page describes the former
qualifications, which are still valid but are no longer being issued.
A Mate
Qualified to sail any of the NPSC small boats within the NAS
Pax, West Basin with another A Mate.
Requirements: Pass oral and written Class A exam including Rules of the
Road, Basic Safety, and demonstrate ability to crew in a sailing craft.
Are you ready for the Mate test? If you know the nomenclature, rigging,
sails, theory of sailing, tack and jibe maneuvers, the six different points of
sail, basic marlinespike seamanship, maneuvering, rules of the road and aids to
navigation, then you are ready to take the Mate written exam.
B Small Boat Skipper
Qualified to sail any of the NPSC small boats
within the Small Boat area of the Patuxent River. The Small Boat area is
defined as the area between the Thomas Johnson Bridge and a line from Drum Point
to Fishing Point.
Requirements: Successfully complete the NPSC course for basic sailing. This
course includes classroom work, a basic sailing written examination, and
on-the-water instruction leading to a practical examination of small boat
handling.
While embarked on one of the small boats can you rig the boat, leave the
pier, sail on different points of sail, including tacking and jibing? Do you know
how to tow, anchor, tie up to and depart from a buoy, recover a man overboard,
reef the main, sail with jib alone, main alone, no rudder,
and return to pier? If so, you are ready for your B Skipper qualification
checkout.
C Intermediate Skipper
An Intermediate Skipper has a thorough
theoretical and practical knowledge of yacht rules and techniques. Qualified to
sail intermediate boats on the Patuxent River and the Chesapeake Bay when
weather and conditions allow. C Skippers are required to have had a boat checkout
for each
Intermediate boat prior to use.
Requirements: Demonstrate a thorough theoretical and practical knowledge of
handling NPSC intermediate class boats. Demonstrate superior boat handling and
sail trimming capability and use of outboard/inboard propulsion, knowledge of
lighting equipment, its operation, and requirements. Intermediate Skipper
Written Exam and Qualification Check Ride with a Qualified Skipper. Demonstrate
a level of proficiency in seamanship, rules of the road (i.e., navigation rules
for inland waters), knowledge of local waters, NPSC By-laws, Policies and
Procedures. Must be at least 16 years of age.
D Senior Skipper
As a Senior Skipper, you will be eligible to sail the
44' Luders Yawls (Alert and Vigilant). You may
sail them both in the Patuxent River and the Chesapeake Bay including all its
tributaries.
Requirements: Successfully completes the Senior Skipper requirements that
will include maritime Rules of the Road and thorough knowledge of boat systems
and equipment. In addition, to attain Senior Skipper you must be recommended by
two NPSC senior skippers after an on the water demonstration of skills. These
skills include: the ability to take charge of a watch at sea in a variety of
circumstances, understanding simple first aid and lifesaving, including recovery
of man overboard, basic damage control, knowledge of diesel engines, and
electrical systems, handling a yacht competently under sail and/or power in
confined waters, getting underway, coming alongside berth, picking up mooring,
and anchoring, securing a yacht after mooring, and radio-telephone operation and
utilization. Additionally, Senior Skippers are required to successfully complete
the Coast Guard or USPS Safe Boating Course (or equivalent), CPR certification, and log a
minimum of 20 hours of sailing as crew aboard Alert or Vigilant.
Must be at least 16 years of age.
The following provisional ratings lead up to Senior Skipper qualification:
D3 Senior Skipper in Training
Qualified to command NPSC large sailing yachts
within the Patuxent River during daylight hours.
D2 Daylight Senior Skipper
Qualified to command NPSC large sailing yachts
within the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries during daylight hours.
D1 Senior Skipper
Qualified to command, but not race, NPSC large sailing yachts within the
Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries during all hours.
E Master Skipper
Qualified to command large sailing yachts in coastal waters
under any weather condition. Qualification is handled by the
U.S. Naval Sailing Association (USNSA).