Basic Outboard Standard

OBJECTIVE

To be able to operate safely in familiar waters as skipper of a craft under 6 metres and powered by an outboard engine under 55 kW (10 hp).
PREREQUISITES
None.
ASHORE KNOWLEDGE
Ashore knowledge is that required for PCOC
AFLOAT SKILLS
Section I: Preliminaries
The candidate must be able to:
1.        Demonstrate (on shore) the correct method of putting on a personal flotation device (PFD) while in the water;
2.        Demonstrate the correct method of boarding a boat from a dock or a beach and storing equipment brought on board;
3.        Demonstrate the correct method for starting an outboard engine while observing proper safety practices;
4.        Demonstrate an alternate starting system for an outboard engine.
 
Section II: Manoeuvring Under Power
The candidate must be able to:
5.        Manoeuvre an outboard powered boat from and to a side dock correctly under the following wind and current conditions:
a)          Wind/current parallel to dock
b)          Wind/current away from dock
c)          Wind/current towards the dock;
6.        Bring the boat to a mooring buoy and successfully retrieve the mooring lines;
7.        Manoeuvre a boat under varying sea and wind conditions with the wind from the following points:
                Ahead      Astern
                Abeam     Quarter
8.        Set anchor in water more than 3 meters deep so as not to drag when tested under power of half-throttle astern;
9.        Weigh anchor and get boat ready and underway;
10.     Demonstrate skipper's actions/commands from the time a member of the crew falls overboard without warning, until the crew is safely recovered. Consider the crew overboard wearing a PFD and able to assist him/herself. Include the following minimum actions:
a)        Sound alarm,
b)       Deploy marker and buoyant object(s),
c)        Appoint and maintain a lookout;
11.     Demonstrate the basic principles of handling a boat under adverse weather conditions such as zigzagging while heading broadside to the waves and while heading into the waves.
 
Section III: Making Fast and Snugging Down
The candidate must be able to:
12.     Secure the boat for a prolonged period of time preventing excessive motion and correctly placing fenders while broadside to a dock, in a slip with pilings and with flexible stern moorings;
13.     Demonstrate a landing on a beach and bring the boat ashore;
14.     Tie each of the following knots, bends and hitches within 30 seconds:
a)        Bowline                       c) Reef knot             e) Round turn & two half hitches
b)       Figure eight                d) Clove Hitch           f) Double sheet bend.

 

Updated 2010 04 21