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"Just like to tet you know that my training put me in good stead for the Fremantle- Canarvon race and on to Exmouth and back..........Thank you once again for providing such good instruction" Val from Tasmania

 

"Helen and Don
A quick note to thank you for the Inshore and Offshore skippers course. I am now confidently looking forward to getting out and doing some sailing this spring and summer. Thanks to Nick and Alan for their valuable time and efforts" Richard - Perth

 

"Hi Helen and Don
Just a quick note to say how much I enjoyed the course - Gary was outstanding and the rest of the group really clicked" John

 

"Hi Don and Helen
I would like to thank you for the most enjoyable 5 days that I can remember. Your organisation and instructors were outstanding and I found every hour on board an absolute pleasure" Robert from Perth

 

 

Life after Chardonnay Coast Sailing

A quick steering check showed that there was something seriously wrong on our 55ft charter yacht, Apollo III, that was due to go on charter in one hours time. Further inspection showed complete failure of the right angle pulleys under the helm, now there was only one thing left to do. We rigged up the emergency steering and hoisted our restricted in ability to manoeuvre day shapes were they could easily be seen. After a quick practice run to check our manoeuvrability we sent out a security alert on the VHF radio to inform all vessel we were entering Able Point Marina under emergency steering and were restricted in our ability to manoeuvre. Sure the owner would be disappointed in cancelling the trip let alone forking out the expenses of repairing his vessel. But to me this was an adventure, a challenge, something that not everyone gets to do. As a sailor it is a part of your every day life assessing situations and taking responsibility for your actions.

Looking back to 2006 when I started my RYA Competent Crew course I would never have guessed I would be where I am today, or the experiences I have had getting here. I am currently employed to sail a 76 foot ex racing maxi yacht called Hammer. The location is the breath taking Whitsunday Islands in the Coral Sea off North Queensland. To actually get paid to cruise around in a powerful racing yacht in some of the best sailing waters in Australia, to go snorkeling with green turtles and Maori Wrasse the size of a 5 year old child is a bit of a dream come true. And if all this isn't enough I go for a stroll on the pure sand of the world renowned Whiteheaven Beach!!

To get where I am today didn't come without determination and hard work. Over the next two and a half years I slowly worked my way through the RYA shore based and practical courses. As the course delivery is fairly flexible I was able to attend each course when it suited my work and financial situation. This also gave me time to build up the required sea miles on coastal deliveries and offshore yacht racing. The instructors at South West Yacht Charters have come from different background giving the student a great range of skills, knowledge and advice to suit their needs. Having the confidence and skill to master a vessel, to ensure the safety of crew and vessel as well as other vessels, to me, is the cornerstone of my RYA training.

Having a commercially endorsed RYA Offshore Yachtmaster qualification is a great achievement and not taken lightly by other sailors as it is internationally recognised. This put me in good stead to crew in several category one races including the Auckland to Noumea Ocean Race and the 2009 Rolex Sydney to Hobart Race. Skippers know that even if I had no racing experience that I would know what to do in the event of man overboard, grounding, collision or abandon ship. They know I have been trained to handle a yacht in a seaman like manner when the waves start to crash over the bow and the wind gets over 30 knots.

As for my future plans, I'm not sure yet. After King's Cup Regatta in Thailand I may continue on to the Caribbean spending the Summer on white boats. I may then carry on to the Mediterranean for more racing or an RYA instructors course to hopefully get the thrill of watching student achieve what I have. I guess I will just have to sea which way the wind blows.

Adam Morrison

 

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