Transcript Introduction to Bareboat Chartering

Introduction to Bareboat
Chartering
Caribbean Cruising
What sailing skills/knowledge should I have?
Basic Navigation
Where am I now?
How do I safely get from here to
where I want to go?
Compass Use
Translating a compass point to a chart
Reading a Chart
Danger Areas/Rocks, Reefs & Wrecks
Using Navigation Instruments
Aids to Navigation
Rules of the Road
Where Am I?
Dead Reckoning Position and a Fixed Position
Label the position with the DR
symbol and time of the position.
Using a VHF Radio
Leaving and Landing at Piers and Slips
Anchoring and Moorings
Planning a Charter
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How long ahead should I begin planning?
What will I need?
Who to go with?
Where and when to go?
What charter company?
Which boat?
Planning Checklist
• Have passports and required documentation
• Get an up-to-date sailing guides and charts
• Map out possible cruise routes considering tides, currents,
prevailing winds, depths and activities
• Determine distances and estimated travel times giving
yourself a margin for the unexpected
• Don’t overplan and prepare alternate plans in case of
adverse weather, winds or unplanned events
• Identify specific waypoints and hazards along the route to
be aware of
• Involve your entire crew in the planning process
Who to go with?
Who to go with?
• Compatibility is the key – similar tastes,
temperaments and EXPECTATIONS
• Enough experience for the job(s) – at least two
sailors who can skipper an emergency
• Bareboats do best when its clear that a single
person is in charge of the final sailing decisions
• Enough room for comfort
• Respect and tolerance
• Always remember – we all came to have fun, so
don’t sweat the minor stuff!
Where and when to go?
• Experience, cost, climate, culture and activities.
• Almost the whole world is available, but some
place are easier and cheaper – Door County,
Bayfield, Florida Keys, Caribbean, Mediterranean
• Ask around and research different locales – sailing
guides, magazines, charts, internet, charter
companies, other sailors, etc.
Where and when to go?
• Know what each place has to offer in terms of
culture, cost, time commitment & weather.
• Don’t try to do too much too soon – work your
way up as you gain knowledge & skill
• Consider hurricane season, wind conditions,
temperature, language, travel connections.
Why the Caribbean?
Wind, Sun, Culture, Fun
Snorkeling/Scuba
Island Life
Full Moon Party
Wind!
Know Where It’s NOT Safe
The International Marine Bureau Piracy Reporting Centre has
issued a warning about attacks by pirates off the coast of
Somalia and recommends that yachts stay at least 200nm from
the Somali coast.
Other areas which are also prone to piracy warnings include:
Bangladesh
East Africa
Gulf of Aden
Haiti
India
Indonesia
Iraq
Jamaica
Malacca Straits
Peru
Singapore Straits
Southern Red Sea
West Africa
What charter company?
• Compare prices, boats, recommendations, travel
costs, boat equipment and systems, reputation, and
history – use the internet, sailing magazines,
friends, phone
• Consider cost of deposits, cancellations & refunds,
provisioning, extra travel or lodging, sleep-overs.
• Bigger companies offer more selection, newer
boats, more comfort, more support, but are usually
more expensive – Moorings, Sunsail, Footloose
Caribbean Charter Locations
What charter company?
• All charter companies require deposits,
contracts, and proof of sailing ability
• They don’t care as much how you “sail” as
how you anchor, land at piers & moorings,
know “rules of the road” and navigation,
motor in the marina, etc.
• Sailing resume and testing out
Sailing Resume and Test Out
• Including all prior chartering experience.
• Skippering is key and on similar sized boats and
similar conditions highly preferred.
• Include study of U.S. Sailing manuals, passing
courses/tests and Hoofer keelboat instruction.
• Other sailing experience.
• You may be quizzed orally, in writing or on-thewater before being released, and they may require
you to take a paid-skipper if you fail.
Which boat?
• Length, number of cabins, number or heads – don’t
overcrowd or you’ll regret it!
• Monohull or cat? – speed, layout, draft, heel, stability
• Cruising systems – engine, galley, MSD, stove, frig, VHF,
safety equipment, GPS, instruments, heater, A/C, autopilot,
furling, winches, sail plan, windlass, dingy, stereo/CD,
tools, first aid kit, showers, etc.
• Incidentals – bedding, linens, towels, supplies, TP, soap,
trash bags, dishes, silverware, cooking utensils and pans,
snorkeling gear, ice, etc.
• Provisioning – none, dinner ashore, split, full
Chartering Checkout
• The charter company will do a briefing and have you sign
off their checklist – make sure they cover your questions.
• Ensure that you have adequate fuel, water, spares and other
provisions for the voyage.
• Review all of the major systems including engine, radio,
instruments, location of all safety gear, MSD, water, stove
& oven, anchor, dingy & engine, battery and electrical
panel, seacocks, bilge pumps, backup tiller, sail rigging
and operation, etc.
• Have a checklist of your own and actually make sure
things work properly before leaving the marina.
Restrictions & Breakdowns
• Often there is no night sailing, certain locales that
are not allowed, and favored anchorages.
• For a non-emergency breakdown, you generally
call the charter company either on VHF or by boat
phone.
• When to call: failure of engine, MSD, fresh water
system, refrig, furling system, steering system,
anchoring system. Also, damaged sails, thru-thehull fittings or halyards, and lost dingy or anchor.
Chartering Checklist
• Find out the contact procedures in case of a
breakdown or emergency.
• What’s the procedure for returning to the
marina?
• Ask for navigation and cultural advice and
suggestions – anchoring, mooring, towns,
restaurants, bars, tipping, etc.
• Again ASK QUESTIONS.
Returning the Boat
• Most charters end at noon.
• You must clean the boat, remove all food and
personal gear, be packed and ready to vacate, and
turn off systems and seacocks, so that its in similar
condition as when you boarded.
• You must have enough time for the charter
company to inspect the boat and do a post-cruise
checklist.
What else will I need?
• Passport and related documentation – allow at least 2
months
• Soft-sided or easy to store luggage
• Foul weather gear, non-slip deck shoes and closed-toe
shoes
• Sunscreen, toiletries, sunglasses and hat
• Ziplock or waterproof bags
• Handheld GPS and compass if available
• Bathing suits and beach towels
• Camera, film, batteries, CDs, books, games, etc.
• DO NOT OVERPACK! Most things won’t get used.
Local Protocols
Customs/Immigration Procedures
• Have copies of crew lists, boat papers, and charter
documents
• Fly the required flags (national flag of registry, courtesy
flag of host country, quarantine yellow “Q” flag)
• You must check out of immigration in your current locale
prior to leaving for another nation or protectorate
• Anchor and hoist Q flag upon arrival in a new country
• Skipper (and maybe the crew) must go ashore with all
official papers (passports, crew list, boat papers), and
check in through both customs and immigration
• After clearing, replace the Q flag with a courtesy flag
Do’s and Don’ts
• Ask your charter company for advice on clearing
both in and out of each country in your itinerary
• Respect local traditions and procedures
• Learn a few words of the local language
• Fly the flag or registry and the courtesy flag
• Don’t attempt to bribe local officials
• Don’t take illegal substance aboard or attempt to
smuggle unlawful materials