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Navy Patuxent Sailing Club
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HomeQualifications


Qualifications

NPSC Qualifications policies follow American Sailing Association (ASA) Standards for small and intermediate boats, and our own unique "NPSC D-Skipper" Qualifications Standards for large boats (Luders Yawls).  The NPSC D-Skipper Standards are derived from, and very similar to older USNA standards. 
 
Qualifications Standards, Operating Policies and Procedures, and individual skippers' qualifications are set forth by the Qualifications Committee.  Committee members are senior Skippers appointed annually by the Commodore.  Information on the committee and the policies it maintains can be found under the "Documents" tab, "Club Policy Documents" folder (and elsewhere).
 
Experienced sailors may wish to challenge the ASA-101 or ASA-103 standards by demonstrating both sailing knowledge and on-the-water skills.  See the ASA Challenges section of the Training page for more information.  
 
HIGHLY Experience Sailors (USNA DCS, EMS, ASA-106, USCG Lic. Captains, etc)  may have their training and experience reviewed by the Qualifications Committee (complete a simple application, found under Documents, "Training" folder, "D-Training" sub-folder).  Based on each individual candidate's unique situation, the Committee may request an interview, contact reference, administer a written test, and/or schedule a check ride.  In any case the Committee will provide a written determination of what level of NSPC Skipper privileges the candidate has been granted, possibly with specific recommendations for rapid progression to the next level, or a clear description of why a higher level is not yet justified. 
 

NPSC currently offers the following ASA-certified courses:

  • Basic Keelboat Sailing Standard (ASA101)
  • Basic Coastal Cruising Standard (ASA103)
  • Bareboat Chartering Standard (ASA104)
  • Coastal Navigation Standard (ASA105)
  • Docking Endorsement (ASA118)


Standards Overview

BASIC KEELBOAT SAILING STANDARD (ASA101)

 

Prerequisites: None
GENERAL DESCRIPTION: Sailors must sail a boat of about 20 feet in length in light to moderate winds and sea conditions in familiar waters without supervision. A preparatory standard with no auxiliary power or navigation skills required. Successful candidates earn a National Safe Boating Certificate approved by The National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) and the U.S. Coast Guard.

BASIC COASTAL CRUISING STANDARD (ASA103)

 

Prerequisites: ASA101
GENERAL DESCRIPTION: Sailors must cruise safely in local and regional waters as both a skipper and crew on an auxiliary powered sailboat of about 20 to 30 feet in length in moderate winds and sea conditions.

BAREBOAT CHARTERING / INTERMEDIATE COASTAL CRUISING STANDARD (ASA104)

 

Prerequisites: ASA103
GENERAL DESCRIPTION: An advanced cruising standard for individuals with cruising experience. The individual can act as skipper or crew of a boat 30 to 50 feet in length sailing by day in coastal waters. The standard includes knowledge of boat systems and maintenance procedures.

COASTAL NAVIGATION STANDARD (ASA105)

 

Prerequisites: None
GENERAL DESCRIPTION: Sailors must demonstrate the navigational theory required to safely navigate a sailing vessel in coastal or inland waters. There is no sailing skill part to this standard and practical application of this sailing knowledge is found in the Advanced Coastal Cruising Standard.

ADVANCED COASTAL CRUISING STANDARD (ASA106)

 

Prerequisites: ASA104, ASA105
GENERAL DESCRIPTION: Sailors must safely act as skipper and crew of a sailing vessel about 30 to 50 feet in length. This is a day and night time standard in coastal and inland waters in any weather.

CELESTIAL NAVIGATION STANDARD (ASA107)

 

Prerequisites: None
GENERAL DESCRIPTION: Sailors must demonstrate the celestial navigation theory required to safely navigate a sailboat on an offshore passage. The practical application is conducted in the Offshore Passage Making Standard.

OFFSHORE PASSAGEMAKING STANDARD (ASA108)

 

Prerequisites: ASA106, ASA107
GENERAL DESCRIPTION: Sailors must safely act as skipper or crew of a sailing vessel on offshore passages in any weather. The Celestial Navigation Standard is performed at this level.