Application for Approved Skipper – please complete in FULL

Applicant Information

Full Name:

First

/

Middle initial

/ Last
Address:

House name, number, street

/

City

/

County

/

Postcode

CSSA No: /
CSSC No:
Phone: /
Mobile:
/ Email:
Application for Approved Skipper (Tick one) / Coastal / Offshore / Logged miles: / Days on board:
I have read, understood and agree the requirements to become a CSSA Approved Skipper (overleaf and on the CSSA website) / YES / I attach a copy of my RYA Certificate of Competence for Yachtmaster Coastal, Offshore or Ocean / YES
I attach a copy of my Ofcom VHF Shortwave Radio Operators certificate [or equivalent.] / YES / I attach a copy of my valid RYA [or equivalent,] First Aid certificate / YES
I have a medical condition or disability that may be relevant to this approval and for chartering CSSA yachts, e.g. angina, diabetes, epilepsy, sight, hearing or other physical condition
/ NO / YES
If yes, explain:

Referees

Please provide details of two CSSA Approved Skippers at an equivalent or higher rating to that for which you are applying, with whom you have sailed and who have agreed to act as referees.

Referee 1: /
Referee 2:
Address: /
Address:
Email: /
Email:
The Offshore Secretary will ask the following questions of the referees:
1.  Please confirm you have significant sailing experience with the applicant and give examples of distances, frequency and sea conditions these experiences are based on?
2.  Please give your opinion on the applicant’s sailing ability?
3.  Please give your opinion on the applicant’s ability to lead and guide others safely?
4.  Please comment on the applicant’s social and team management skills.
5.  Are there any issues that you are aware of, which might limit the applicant's ability to act as skipper in all situations and especially where it might be prudent to apply additional requirements, such as to sail with a competent deputy for some types of voyage?
6.  Are there any other points or observations you feel may be relevant?

I agree and understand, also that the personal details on this form will be held on a computer, and will only be disclosed to Committee Members of CSSC, CSSA, and their Clubs and Divisions as appropriate and necessary for CSSA business. Only the names of referees will be retained in association with this application.

Signature: /
Date:

Next steps

We will write to your referees and a decision on your application will be made by the Rear-Commodore [Offshore] and, if necessary, the Offshore Sub Committee and you will be notified. Once approved, you will be issued with a card, which you must show when chartering CSSA yachts.

Please return the completed form, with scans of the required certificates to: The CSSA Offshore Secretary

CSSA’s EXPECTATIONS OF ITS APPROVED SKIPPERS

The CSSA, voluntarily, requires its Divisions to operate the Association’s yachts accordance with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency’s [MCA] Code of Practice - The safety of small commercial sailing vessels. Skippers are expected to be familiar with the CoP.In particular, Skippers must follow the advice on competence and manning set out in Annex 7 of the CoP and be familiar with the operation of the yacht’s hardware and the documentation and procedures for handover as set out in Annex 8 of the CoP. See also Section 26 and Annexes 3, 7, and 8 of the MCA Marine Guidance Note MGN 280, extracts below. Civil Service Ocean Racing Club skippers must also be familiar with ISAF Regulations and rules of the clubs in whose races they participate.

Many CSSA Skippers will have familiarised themselves with a CSSA yacht while sailing as crew. If not familiarisation during a short pre-charter briefing will be required.

CSSA Coastal Skippers shall plan to remain within 20 miles of a safe haven (Area Category 3 of Annex 3, MGN 280.) The Division operating a yacht may grant permission for a Coastal Skipper to venture beyond 20 miles from a safe haven provided the crew are aware that this is outside the terms of the Code for commercial operation for a Skipper with a coastal certificate AND the Division is satisfied that it has discharged its responsibilities as the managing agent in accordance with CSSA’s policy in this respect.

CSSA Offshore Skippers holding a Yachtmaster Offshore(or higher) certificate shall plan to remain within 60 miles of a safe haven. The cruising range of CSSA Offshore Skippers holding a Yachtmaster Ocean certificate is likely to be limited by the stability and the equipping of the yacht – CSSA yachts are usually restricted to operation within 60 miles of a safe haven (Area Category 2 of Annex 3, MGN 280.) A CSSA yacht should not venture beyond 60 miles from a safe haven without the express permission of the CSSA General Committee.

In cases of Force Majeure the cruising limits can be exceeded but must be logged and the operating Division informed accordingly.

Skippers should follow a number of other routine practices including: appointment of a Mate they consider sufficiently experienced to deliver the yacht to the destination should the need arise; giving safety briefings before voyages commence; preparation of passage plans in accordance with the International Convention for the “Safety Of Life At Sea,” SOLAS V; maintenance of ship and radio logs in accordance with SOLAS V; keeping a safe navigational watch; conducting sufficient number of man overboard drills to ensure that the crew are familiar with the procedures; and ensuring that the charts used are updated with the latest UKHO corrections. CSSA will delegate its duties where possible.

Skippers are responsible for:

·  Delivering safety briefings in accordance with Annex 9 of the blue CoP (and Annex 7 of the Annex to MGN280);

·  Making handovers in accordance with Annex 8 of the blue CoP (and Annex 8 of the Annex to MGN280);

·  Assembling a crew with sufficient competence for the intended passage (or limiting passages according to the strength of the crew); and

·  Logging and reporting to the Division all incidents that involve the yacht and crew individually or with a 3rd party.

·  Obtaining their operating Division’s permission (and where necessary the approval of the CSSA General Committee) to sail outside the limits applicable to their qualification: and for informing their crew that this permission has been obtained.

An online version of these requirements, with further detail on areas of operation, deck manning requirements and live links can be found at http://cs-sailing.org.uk/skippers/

AS App Form March 2017