RYA Fast track in Australia

Aims and outcomes of the course

The Southern Cross Yachting FAST TRACK course has been designed to take the novice yachtsman and woman from the basics of yachting through to the RYA Coastal Skipper Certificate.

Whether your outcome is to seek a new career in the world wide yachting industry or simply to go cruising with confidence and safety this is the course for you. The Southern Cross Yachting FAST TRACK course is a comprehensive series of training modules covering the certificate courses in the RYA National cruising scheme as well as short courses in First Aid, Engine Maintenance, Sea survival, VHF and HF Radio.

South East Queensland is the perfect setting to undertake sail training with its sub tropical climate, consistent winds and of course relaxed Queensland lifestyle - the wind blows, the sun shines and the places we sail to will blow you away!

We have created Australia 's first RYA FAST TRACK programme to give students the right balance of theory and practical training. Shorebased and practical courses are interleaved with short courses and offshore experiences relevant to the level and all activities are programmed to compliment and reinforce the previous learning module. As we restrict the number of participants we are able to constantly monitor each student's progress and regularly report to them on their progress. Our instructors act as mentors to the students ensuring that each individual's learning needs are addressed.

After all your success is our business!

Included in the prgramme are the following:

• RYA Competent Crew 5-day practical
• RYA Day Skipper Shore based course
• RYA Day Skipper 5-day practical course
• RYA Diesel engine course
• RYA/ ISAF Cat 0 Sea Survival course
• Marine First Aid course
• Marine Radio Operators Certificate of Proficiency (VHF and MF/HF)
• RYA Coastal Skipper Shore based Course
• RYA Coastal Skipper 5-day Practical Course

Courses can be tailored to suit previous study and yachting experience. STCW95, Radar and Boat Safe Recreational Boat Safe License courses can be arranged if required.

Accommodation

During all onboard practical training students live aboard the yachts for the duration of the module. When onboard all meals are included except for the 1 or 2 nights that we eat out ashore.

For shore side stay accommodation is available at:

Moreton Bay Lodge (cheap backpacker style accommodation) In the centre of Manly 5 minutes walk from the marina. Ph 3396 3824, www.moretonbaylodge.com.au

In the centre of Manly Village is the Manly Hotel with a variety of room types available. Take advantage of the numerous restaurants, cafes and take- aways available at your doorstep. The foods great at the Pub! www.manlyhotel.com.au, ph (07) 3249 5999

A beautiful B&B 5 minutes walk from Manly village is available. This magnificent Queenslander has air conditioned rooms available with ensuite or share bathrooms, spacious lounge, well equipped kitchen, washing facilities and a tropical pool and outdoor area. A quiet loft with views of Moreton Bay is an ideal spot for studying.walnut88@bigpond.net.au ph 0408 726060

The Manly Marina Cove is situated beside the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron right on Manly Boat Harbour. See www.manlymarinacove.com for more details.

We would be happy to provide further information on local accommodation alternatives or see www.manlyharbourvillage.com for more information on the village of Manly and accommodation alternatives.

Pre-requisites

There are no pre-requisites for the course. During the course you will log the miles and sea time required to achieve the RYA Coastal Skipper certificate.

For those who wish to do the RYA/MCA Yachtmaster exam additional sea time is required - a total of 50 days at sea and 2500miles.You need to be at least 18 years of age. A medical by an MCA approved doctor is required for commercial endorsement of the RYA Yachtmaster and we will provide a form for completion by the medical officer. MCA (the UK's Marine & Caostal Agency) endorsement is a commercial endorsement to work as Captain/Master on commercial, red ensign vessels to 24 meters.

About Southern Cross Yachting

Southern Cross Yachting began operating in March 1997 with one yacht. Since that time the school has grown and has forged a reputation as Australia's foremost yacht training school.

Over the past 12 years Southern Cross Yachting has trained over 10 000 students both Australians and visitors from overseas. The School reputation has been built on its commitment to service and the quality of its instructional staff. All instructional staff have been selected and trained by Principal Michael Job - Australia's most qualified Yachtmaster instructor.

The school is committed not just to delivering the finest sail training tuition available, but making the experience as enjoyable as possible!

As the only person to have been both an AYF and RYA Yachtmaster offshore Examiner Mike is uniquely qualified to design a Fast track course for Australian and international waters.

The school operates a fleet of quality (all over 35 feet) yachts based at East Coast Marina in Manly Yacht Harbour – the largest recreational yacht harbour in the Southern Hemisphere.

Shore based courses are held at our water side classroom close to all facilities.

Southern Cross Yachting is located in the picturesque village of Manly - a bay side suburb of Brisbane, capital of the state of Queensland and Australia's 3rd largest city. We are only 20 minutes drive from Brisbane's International airport and only 1 hours drive from the world famous beaches of the Gold and Sunshine coasts. Manly is the gateway to Moreton Bay - truly a yachting paradise and a sail training theme park!

Accredited by the Australian Yachting Federation for 7 years, Southern Cross Yachting was the first Sea School to gain RYA recognition in Australia and now offers RYA courses exclusively.

Southern Cross Instructors and Staff

Meet some of the Southern Cross Yachting Team.

Mike Job – Principal

Mike Job is Australia's most qualified Yachtmaster Instructor and one of the most experienced.

Mike is an RYA Yachtmaster Instructor, Yachtmaster Examiner and Examiner of Instructors (one of only 11 people worldwide to hold this qualification) and a Master V.

Mike has been a fulltime Yachting instructor for over a decade both in the UK and in Australia and is the only person to have held the position of both AYF and RYA Yachtmaster Examiner.

Mike has skippered racing yachts offshore since he was 19 years old and brings to sail training a lifetime experience in yachting, both racing and cruising all over the world.

Never one to be trapped behind a desk - Mike is very actively involved in training and delivers many of the Fast track training modules as well as personally monitoring each student's progress.

Gerry Fitzgerald – Sea Survival/ First Aid/ Diesel Engine/Radar/ STCW 95 Instructor

Gerry is a Master class IV and both an AYF and RYA Yachtmaster Instructor and Sea Survival Instructor. Gerry's vast experience at sea includes Master of a trading ship in the South Pacific islands as well as skippering many trips on sail training yachts to Antarctica and around Cape Horn . Gerry's specialty is sea survival, having written the AYF Sea safety and Survival course and examined instructors nationally for the delivery of that course. Gerry is currently the only Sea Survival instructor in Australia accredited to offer the ISAF Category 0 survival course, allowing the holder to participate in yacht races up to the Volvo around the world race. Gerry teaches the sea safety and diesel engine courses in the Fast track programme .

Training Waters

Moreton Bay Let's keep it a Secret!

Moreton Bay Marine Park must be the best kept secret in the sailing world!

From the white sands and turquoise water of Moreton Island the bay stretches south for 60 miles to the Gold Coast Broadwater- a sailing paradise that offers a unique diversification of surroundings and sailing conditions.

At the northern end of our training grounds the Bay is some 20 miles wide with the magnificent anchorages of Moreton Island on the eastern side (including the famous Tangalooma Wrecks) and the marinas of Redcliffe and Sandgate on the mainland side. South of this the bay starts to narrow as you pass the entrance to the majestic Brisbane River - only 15 miles upstream you can moor in a marina in the heart of the city. South of the river mouth lie the historic islands of St Helena , Green, Stradbroke and Peel which offer good anchorages. With a labyrinth of islands between here and the Broadwater there is all round shelter for over 20 miles. This complex waterway leads to the marinas and anchorages of the Gold Coast with all it has to offer.

The bay is alive with bird and marine life; dolphins and dugong are seen regularly and the odd whale breaching at the northern end!

This is one of the world's most unspoilt cruising grounds – come and see for yourself !

With its complex channels, bubbling tidal streams (up to 6 knots), 2 metre tidal range and multitude of harbours , rivers and creeks Moreton Bay is a yacht training theme park!

On our offshore passages we will cruise the superb Queensland coast to destinations such as Fraser Island, Tin Can Bay, Hervey Bay and the Whitsundays These challenging waters offer the widest possible variety of conditions and opportunities, necessary to gain as many varied experiences as possible during your training.

Our training grounds are unique, certainly in Australia and possibly the world with tidal waters, challenging navigation and warm water all in magnificent sub-tropical climate. Take the training opportunities of the south coast of UK , mix it with the climate of the Caribbean (sans Hurricanes) and you have Queensland ! And don't forget the exchange rate!

Training Yachts

The Southern Cross Yachting training fleet are all quality offshore yachts fully equipped to the highest specification, are all in commercial survey and conform to the demanding MCA Code of practice requirements. The fleet has been assembled to offer students a wide variety of experiences, on yachts similar to those that commercial skippers will be operating.

The fleet includes both racing and cruising “Charter style yachts” – all 35 feet or over and all comfortably fitted out. Students will experience tiller, dual and single wheel steering.

The fleet include -

• OCEANS is a SYDNEY 41 Cruiser/Racer built by Bashford Yachts in NSW. She is an identical sister ship to the 50th Sydney to Hobart winner ‘Raptor' . Oceans has a masthead rig and wheel steering and has a comfortable cruising fit-out below. Oceans will be used for RYA training, offshore trips and next years Brisbane to Gladstone Race Training Package. If you thought ‘Blue Max' sailed well wait til you experience the joy of sailing this yacht !
  
  
• CAPPRICIO JEANNEAU SUN ODDISSEY 40 3 cabin masthead rigged charter yacht. Twin wheels and luxury all the way.

• TOURETTE JEANNEAU 36I Superbly appointed 3 cabin training vessel

• OPTIMIST & PACER Ideal for extending sailing skills.

   

Visas

Information about a 6 month tourist visa can be found at the Australian Immigration Website www.immi.gov.au .

How to Book

A booking inquiry can be made by phone – 00617 3396 4100 or email – sailing@southerncrossyachting.com.au and a place reserved. Confirmation of a booking is required within 7 days by returning the booking form with a 25% deposit. The remainder of the course fee is required 28 days prior to the commencement of the course.

RYA/YA Coastal Skipper Programme
Total cost - $6470 (ex STCW95) or $7665 (inc STCW95 – only required if planning to work commercially overseas) (shore side accommodation not included)

Feb– April 2010

RYA/YA Coastal Skipper Programme
Total cost - $7160 (ex STCW95) or $8355 (inc STCW95 – only required if planning to work commercially overseas) (shoreside accommodation not included)

April – May 2010

RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Offshore Programme
Total cost - $14170 (ex STCW95) or $15435 (inc STCW95 – only required if planning to work commercially overseas) (shore side accommodation not included) (shoreside accommodation not included)

July - October 2010

RYA/YA Coastal Skipper Programme
Total cost - $7160 (ex STCW95) or $8355 (inc STCW95 – only required if planning to work commercially overseas) (shoreside accommodation not included)

Oct – Dec 2010

Radar and Boat Safe Recreational Boat License (valid Aus only) courses available on request.