You will be assessed on your ability to prepare the vessel and crew for departure. This includes giving a clear safety briefing, demonstrating the correct use of safety equipment, checking the weather forecast, conducting pre-start engine checks, using a kill cord (if fitted), starting the engine, confirming cooling water flow, and stating the vessel’s fuel range.

You will need to demonstrate safe and controlled departure using spring lines, correct fender placement, and effective crew communication to manoeuvre away from a lee wall or pontoon.

You will perform a full 360˚ turn in a limited area, showing precise throttle and helm control while maintaining awareness of your surroundings.

You’ll be assessed on your ability to communicate with crew, anchor the vessel effectively, check holding, and recover and stow the anchor properly. You must also approach and secure the boat to a mooring buoy with appropriate control, positioning, and safe departure.

You will demonstrate the correct procedure for recovering a man overboard, including maintaining visual contact, making a controlled approach at the correct angle and speed, and making effective contact with the casualty.

You’ll be required to sail a triangular course with at least one windward leg, select appropriate sail configurations for the conditions, show wind awareness, trim sails correctly, and execute safe and controlled tacks and gybes with appropriate crew warnings.

Assessment includes approaching a windward pontoon with awareness of other water users, preparing fenders and warps, selecting the right angle and speed, and securing the boat appropriately while stopping the engine at the correct moment.

You’ll be tested on your understanding of maintaining a proper lookout, determining safe speed, identifying collision situations and give-way vessels, taking correct action as give-way or stand-on vessel, rules in narrow channels, sound signals, and distress signals.

You will be assessed on your ability to use and instruct others in the use of lifejackets, distress alerting devices (e.g. DSC VHF, EPIRB, flares), fire extinguishers, and the kill cord. You’ll also need to prepare the boat responsibly before departure, including engine checks, fuel planning, weather checks, and ensuring the boat is not overloaded.

You’ll be assessed on your ability to source and interpret weather forecasts and apply them to simple passage plans, taking tidal and non-tidal conditions into account.

This includes demonstrating knowledge of Traffic Separation Schemes, navigation lights and shapes, recognition of various vessels by their lights, required sound signals, and general collision avoidance rules (excluding annexes).

You’ll need to interpret charts accurately, understand charted depths and hazards, source local regulation information, plan harbour entry and exit, fix positions using at least two methods, and demonstrate an understanding of VTS and port radio procedures.

Assessment will include knowledge of various distress signalling methods, including those covered under Annex IV of the IRPCS, and knowing how and when to deploy them effectively in an emergency.