Training

Overview

Ocean Youth Trust Scotland places great value in the contribution of its voluntary sea-staff and has developed a very strong culture of training and development over the years. OYT Scotland is wholly committed to providing a comprehensive, high quality, subsidized training programme to provide sea-staff with the level of competency required to deliver the highest standards of safety and personal development on our youth voyages.

OYT Scotland’s Volunteer Training Programme includes:

• Voyage Induction – (essential training for all new volunteer sea staff)

• Big Boat Hard Skills Training (Bosun, Seamanship and Command Training)

• Small Boat RYA Practical Courses and Exams The OYT Scotland training programme is open to sailing members aged 16 & over.

Voyage Induction Training New volunteers wishing to sail as sea-staff who would like to find out more about what it is like to deliver a youth development voyage on our vessels as a member of sea staff. We also recommend these weekends as refreshers for volunteers who have not sailed on a youth voyage recently. This course is the first step to becoming a member of Volunteer Sea Staff. The aim of the weekend is to allow you to experience firsthand what it is like to sail as a member of seas staff on our 70ft vessels. You will sail with 11 inductees and 5 members of sea staff. Throughout the weekend you will learn the OYTS way of sailing our vessels and delivering 7 day Youth Development Voyages. Don’t worry you are not expected to expert sailors, we will teach you the hard skills. All we require is that you are motivated and keen to sail with young people between the ages of 12-24 on residential voyages.

To book a berth contact our Volunteer Coordinator for a volunteer application pack, once your volunteer application has been successfully processed, we will invite you to the next available induction weekend.Please note: 2010 Induction weekends are currently full; details of our 2011 program will be available soon.

Big Boat Hard Skills Training

Bosun Training The weekend is aimed at young people who have shown enthusiasm and determination to learn new skills while onboard a youth voyage. Throughout the weekend you will have a chance to get familiar with the boats and the role of a Bosun. There are normally 12 participants and up to five Sea staff onboard these training weekends. For those of you unable to attend a Bosuns Weekend you may be invited to sail on a Bosuns Shadowing Week. As the name suggests, you will be shadowing a Bosun, this takes place onboard our vessels on a 5/7 days Youth Voyage. During the week you will help the Bosun with the daily checks and maintenance, learn about a Bosuns Role in the unlikely event of an emergency onboard. The sea staff will work closely with you to cover all training covered in a Bosuns Training Weekend.

Big Boat Seamanship Training This course is suitable for all sailors from beginner to those with previous experience; the aim is to provide the opportunity to further develop the skills necessary for handling large boats safely and the knowledge required to progress through the OYTS assessment/training system. This course covers all the essential aspects of big boat seamanship required by OYT Scotland Watch Leaders and Mates. It is recommended that this course should be completed every two years to refresh and practice your skills.

Command Training The course is aimed at established Skippers and 1st Mates who would like to update and refresh their knowledge. This advanced high level course covers the essential skills required of our Skippers and 1st Mates and provides a unique opportunity to swap good practice with other Skippers and 1st Mates.

Small Boat RYA Practical Courses and Exams

The training boats are being provided by the Sport Scotland National Watersports Centre at Cumbrae, the boats are modern well equipped Jenneau 37s.

The Instructors will be experienced OYT Scotland staff/volunteers. They are highly experienced sail trainers with many thousands of sea miles.OYTS subsidises these courses for its members, and the costs are fully inclusive of food, fuel and marina fees. An additional RYA Exam fee is applicable for candidates wishing to sit RYA Coastal or Yachtmaster Exams.

These are residential courses living on the vessel. During each course you will cover a minimum of 100 Nautical Miles including at least one night passage. Places are limited to 4 students per course to ensure a higher level of individual attention from the Instructor.

Accommodation may be available onboard the training vessel on the Sunday evening preceding the course subject to request for members travelling from further afield.

RYA Day Skipper Practical

Prerequisite - 5 days / 100 Miles, 4 night hours, Day Skipper Shore based/ or a good knowledge of basic navigation and good all round sailing ability.

Who should do this course? – OYT Scotland’s Watch leaders wanting to progress to 3rd Mate.

This five-day course gives you the chance to take charge on short passages under instruction to learn the skills required to Skipper a small yacht safely on short passages by day in familiar waters.

You will concentrate on pilotage, boat handling and seamanship as well as the leadership skills required by a Skipper. Candidates are assessed on the course and awarded a Day Skipper Practical Certificate on reaching the required standards. Day Skipper Practical Course Syllabus as per RYA Logbook G15

RYA Coastal Skipper Course and Exam

Prerequisite – Day Skipper Practical Certificate and Coastal Skipper / Yachtmaster Shore based certificate (or equivalent knowledge and ability), 20 days sea time, 2 days as skipper, 400M and 12 night hours. Participants must also hold a VHF Licence and First Aid Certificate.

Who should do this course? – OYT Scotland’s 3rd Mates wanting to progress to 2nd Mate.

This five day course aims to teach candidates the skills and techniques required to skipper a yacht on longer coastal passages up to 20 miles from a safe haven and prepare candidates for external assessment by an independent RYA/MCA Examiner. Candidates are assessed during the course by the Instructor and awarded a course completion certificate on reaching the required standards. Candidates wishing to then be examined for an MCA/RYA Certificate of Competence will have an additional 2 days allocated for the examination. Coastal Skipper Practical Course Syllabus as per RYA Logbook G15.

RYA Yachtmaster Preparation and Exam

Prerequisite - Coastal Skipper Practical and Shore based (or equivalent knowledge and ability), 50 days sea time logged including 5 days as Skipper, 2500 miles, 5 passages over 60NM, including 2 overnight and 2 as Skipper. Participants must also hold a VHF Licence and First Aid Certificate.

Who should do this course? – OYT Scotland’s 2nd Mates wanting to progress to 1^st Mate

This five day course tailored to prepare the candidate for the Yachtmaster Practical Exam. The instructor will support you in the desired areas and provide a worthwhile experience before the examiner comes on board. 2 additional days are allocated for up to 4 candidates to do the exam.

RYA Yachtmaster Instructor

Prerequisite – Yachtmaster Offshore with Commercial Endorsement and Cruising Instructor Endorsement. Candidates must have instructed at least 1 Day Skipper and 1 Competent Crew Course

Who should do this course? 1st Mates wanting to upgrade to Skipper.

This five day course is designed for experienced and qualified RYA Cruising Instructors who wish to teach cruising up to RYA Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaster Offshore Level. It is a high level course and students are required to have a broad range and depth of knowledge.

* Please click here to download our remaining 2010 Training Programme (pdf 34.5kb).

* Please click here to download our programme of RYA Practical Courses 2010 (pdf 143kb).

To book a place on any RYA Practical Courses – please contact our Volunteer Coordinator on 01475 722 722.