Doug's Comment

Hi Tribe,
Welcome to the 3rd edition of our newsletter, "Smoke Signals.” Parts of the country woke this morning to mackerel skies, hence I have explored this subject below. We have had a few socially distanced courses in the classroom since I last wrote to you and we are continuing to offer our popular face to face webinars for many of our courses for the foreseeable future.

Online Navigation Courses

When lockdown commenced we reduced the price of all RYA online courses to help those who were feeling somewhat stranded. Not surprisingly the take up was huge. We continue to offer these courses at discounted prices. Below is a quick reminder of which course is for you;

RYA Essential Navigation Course

A short course covering tides, chartwork and seamanship, suitable for navigation beginners. Popular with dinghy sailors, ocean rowers and owners of small inshore powerboats and keelboats.

RYA Dayskipper Shorebased Course

A more thorough course for beginners, suited to those on workboats, yachts, motor cruisers and/or those intending to progress up the scheme.

RYA Yachtmaster Offshore Shorebased

An advanced course for yacht and workboat skippers intending to make longer coastal and offshore passages and for super yacht crew wanting to progress to Officer of the Watch.

RYA Yachtmaster Ocean Shorebased

An even more advanced course on astro navigation, ocean voyage planning and worldwide meteorology. Aimed at those venturing serious distances offshore, Trans Atlantic etc. Also a requirement for Chief Mate on board a super yacht.

Students booking on two or more of the 3 longer courses receive a further “combined” discount. All online course include a students pack (free postage within UK) containing practice charts etc. as well as tutor support if required.

Intermediate and Advanced crew and skippers might also benefit from the 2 evening RYA Radar course by webinar.

To take advantage of the current discounts please visit discounted online RYA courses.

Yacht Rigging & Rope Splicing

Learn how to inspect and maintain your rig, service winches and become a rock star at splicing.

This home grown course is taught by a full time professional rigger who was previously a Yachtmaster Instructor and a Race Skipper.

Unlike many of course this one is only run occasionally. Next course is 2 October 2020. For more Yacht Rigging & Rope Splicing information click here

Food Safety at Sea

We offer four separate food safety courses, but today I would like to tell you about a specific one. The Foundation in Food Safety at Sea (Level 2) Course which is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health, is recognised by the MCA and accepted for use on MLC compliant vessels.

This 1-day (or 2-evening) course can be in the classroom or by face to face webinar. It is the same Level 2 syllabus that is accepted across the catering industry in the UK and Europe, but focuses on yachtsmen and seafarers.

We takes a realistic look at how a yacht or small craft galley can operate safely and comply with UK (& European) standards and regulations. This course is for anyone involved in the preparation of food (RYA Cruising Instructors, charter skippers and hostess’) and those assisting the ships cook / head chef onboard larger vessels and super yachts. (Ship's Cooks on vessel with more than 10 crew requires the higher Level 3 Food Safety Course).

Sailor's Superstitions & Fish Wife's Tales

In this feature we examine a well known sailing myth or meteorological lore.

"Mares' tails and mackerel scales make lofty ships, carry low sails”

Looking to the sky and using the clouds is a valuable forecasting tool...click for more

Competition - Win yourself a £50 Chieftain Training Gift Voucher

(1). Which vessel would display three fixed red lights in a vertical line?

(2). What are the responsibilities of a “stand on” vessel?

(3). What duration is a "prolonged blast”?

Email your answers, full name and county to info@chieftain.training (“Competition” in the subject line). The winner will be selected at random from all correct entries and announced in the next edition of “Smoke Signals". Terms and conditions apply. The closing date isof August 2020. Good Luck!

Well done to Koen De Geyter (Belgium), who won the previous “weather” competition.