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Sail Nauticus
Member Handbook
Version 3, April 2017
Sailing is real. It is authentic. It’s not always great, but it is better than not being there, and it sometime inspires. And it hammers most sailors into resilient and contented folks with true stories of surprise, humility, resourcefulness, and grit, because they are among the last few humans to actually be in nature.
And it begins, ironically, in the shadow of a busy city, a short drive or walk from the office or school. An urban outdoors; ancient, unvarnished, organic and wild, one step off a dock and just outside of a seawall. Sailing’s best-kept secret.
-Nick Hayes, author of Saving Sailing
Welcome to Sail Nauticus. Here, we are creating a community through sailing. Along the way, you may make friends, learn to sail, become a captain, volunteer, or simply go for a relaxing sail.
Why are we here? We at Sail Nauticus think that sailing is something worth sharing. It brings you to a place that is ever more difficult to reach in this busy world. Sailors appreciate teamwork, the importance of communication, and take pride in their craft….
That is why we founded the Academy. As a member, your dues help fund our free after-school program for Norfolk Public middle school students. Through sailing, swimming, first aid, and boatbuilding, these children are developing their characters at a formative time in their lives. The Academy is creating a ripple of change that will
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expand as these young adults grow in our community.
Each week, I will update you with upcoming member events here at Sail Nauticus. Included will be a short bio of one of our Academy students as a reminder of how you are helping us do good works for the community. The following pages will serve as your member handbook, helping guide your way at our sailing center. Thank you for joining, and I look forward to seeing you out on the water soon!
Fair Winds,
J. Ryan Newland, Adult Programs Manager
ContentsOur Mission.............................................................................3
How Can I Go Sailing?.........................................................5
How Can I Become a Better Sailor?................................6
Rules.........................................................................................8
Sailing Area...........................................................................11
Emergency Procedures and Guidelines......................13
Frequently Asked Questions...........................................15
Special Events and Sailing Activities...........................16
Volunteer Opportunities at Sail Nauticus...................18
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Reserving a Boat.................................................................19
Our MissionTo impact the academic and leadership achievement of Hampton Roads youth through sailing and maritime sciences while providing safe and easy access to the water for our community.
Sail Nauticus (SN) MembershipAs a member, your dues help fund our youth programs.Membership is valid for one year from the date you enroll, is limited to individuals 18 years of age or older, and grants you access to:
The Sail Nauticus fleet of Harbor 20’s Member social events and racing Free classes and clinics Weekly email updates on events and
activities at SN
Membership LevelsCrewAny level of sailing experience. You will need a Captain level member with you to take out a boat.Captain
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Must know how to sail. Captains must demonstrate proficiency by passing the following tests, in order, before they can captain a boat:1. Written Test
26 questions, multiple choice 75% or better to pass The following subjects are covered,
within the scope of our sailing area and our boats:
i. Reading a chartii. Steering with the sailsiii. Depowering/ reefing scheduleiv. Understanding current and tidesv. Navigational rulesvi. Weather informationvii. Sail trimviii. Emergency procedures
2. Practical Test A SN manager will serve as crew for the
practical exam. The SN manager will not purposely cause problems, nor will he or she help you figure something out. He/she is there to trim the jib and help with dock lines, fenders, etc.
All of the following skills must be successfully executed, in order:
i. Rig the boat ii. VHF radio checkiii. Demonstrate use of the outboard,
then stow the engineiv. Sail off the dockv. Tack and Jibe
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vi. Man overboard drillvii. Reefviii. Sail onto the dockix. Derig the boat
Tie the following knots: Bowline, cleat hitch, figure eight, rolling hitch, round turn and two half hitches, square knot
If any skill(s) are not executed successfully, a plan of improvement will be discussed after returning to the dock. A minimum of two weeks must pass before attempting the test again.
How Can I Go Sailing?A few simple ground rules:
Life vests/ PFD’s will always be worn while on the dock and in the boat
Always give way to tugs, barges, ships, ferries, and all other commercial traffic
Minimum number of people to leave the dock:
o One Captain membero One Crew member or a guest at
least 12 years old Maximum people onboard
o 4 adults or childrenCaptain Level Members
1. Reserve a boat. See “Reserving a Boat” in the last section for instructions.
2. Wait for crew to sign on, or…
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3. Write in your crew and/ or guests on the reservation
4. Go sailing!Crew Level MembersAs crew, you have many different options for finding a Captain or space on a boat:
1. Check the reservation system for open space on a boat. See “Reserving a Boat” in the last section for instructions.
2. Using our member directory, call, text, or email a Captain to work out a time to sail
3. Post on the forum under the “Go Sailing” thread
Haven’t met any Captains yet? Attend a social sail or Meet n’ Greet Dinner to chat and see whose schedule matches yours.
How Can I Become a Better Sailor?The easiest and possibly best way is to sail more. In addition, we have set up other paths to help you improve your sailing skills:
Skill Clinics- Scheduled on Saturdays during the sailing season, skill clinics are a great way to improve one small part of the mariner’s overall skillset. For information on clinic subjects, dates, and times, check the member event’s
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calendar. Free, and available only to members
Mentorship- This program is designed to help crew who are interested in becoming captains. To sign up, email the Adult Programs Manager, including your sailing availability and your experience. If there are open slots for mentorship, you will then be matched with a mentor based on sailing schedule. Mentors are a trained volunteer group of Captain level members who are interested in helping the sailing center grow. Free, and available only to members
Private Lessons- Our instructors are available for private lessons at the rate of $120 for two hours. Call SN to book
Basic Keelboat Certification- Sail Nauticus is an accredited US Sailing Keelboat School. Our 20 hour learn to sail classes are a great way to learn all the skills needed to sail our boats. Students will receive a one year membership to US Sailing and, upon successful completion, a Basic Keelboat certification. Members receive 15% off tuition.
Children’s Summer Camps- Our summer camps welcome children from age 8 to age 15. Beginners learn how to sail in Sail Quest, and learn advanced skills and navigation in Sail Voyagers. Member’s children and grandchildren receive 10% off.
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Rules1. Sailing is not allowed in winds over 20
mph or gusts over 25 mph. During the winter, this limit is lowered to 15mph and gusts of 20mph. SN reserves the right to cancel sailing at any time.
2. Whenever a commercial ship is within 1 mile of your boat, you must stay out of the channel as much as you safely can.
3. Captains must use the boat log and include all souls on board. This guarantees we know who is on which boat.
4. Personal Floatation Devices (PFD’s) must be worn and properly secured while on SN docks and boats at all times. SN supplies Type III PFD’s for you and your guests. You may use your own US Coast Guard approved Type I, II & III. Self-Inflating Type V PFD’s can be used with the exception of the “Fanny Pack” Type V.
5. Alcohol is not allowed on SN boats. Use of alcohol before or onboard the boats will result in suspension of sailing privileges. Smoking is prohibited on the dock, boats, in the offices, and in the pavilion.
6. Sailboats may be checked out for a maximum period of two hours. Permission may be granted for longer sails if requested.
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7. SN boats may not be used for any fee-for-service based activity unless it is conducted by SN staff.
8. SN Captains must report ALL accidents, injuries, and collisions to a manager. Captains are responsible for "checking in" at the boat log. Failure to report any incidents may result in suspension of privileges. Staff must complete an Incident Report for documentation purposes. If you are involved in ANY type of collision with a boat, seafloor, wall or other obstruction, you must report it to a manager – no matter how insignificant you believe it was. Incident reports will be reviewed and may require additional action on the part of SN staff including possible loss of rating and/or sailing privileges.
9. SN Captains are responsible for their guest’s behavior and safety. Unruly, boisterous, and/or dangerous behavior may result in the suspension of the members’ sailing privileges. Respect all safety rules and the rules of the road.
10. SN Captains are responsible for evaluating the weather conditions and exercising discretion.
11. No boat can leave the dock without a radio onboard. A radio check must be performed before leaving the dock, and will serve to inform the center what boat you are taking. The radio must be on, turned to an audible volume for the conditions, and scanning channels
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13, 16, and 71. SN Captains must provide their own handheld VHF radio. If necessary, a radio can be borrowed.
12. Swimming is not allowed.13. Do not go on the foredeck unless the boat
is tied up at the dock and the jib is furled.14. Unless there is an evening sailing event,
all SN boats must be at the dock 30 minutes before sunset (this is when the Coast Guard requires lights to be turned on). Plan ahead.
15. Single handing is not allowed. Boats must have a certified Captain level member and at least one crew 12 years of age or older. SN reserves the right to restrict, or not allow, Captains to check out boats based upon their crew and other factors.
16. Damage to the boats will be reviewed by SN staff to determine if negligence was a factor. Captains are responsible for negligent damage up to $1,000.
17. Pets are not allowed on SN boats or docks. Animals on SN grounds must be leashed and supervised. You must clean up after your pets.
18. Please use common sense. It is impossible to list every rule that governs sailing and water safety in this handbook. SN needs to monitor and limit certain behavior to ensure the safety of all participants and local boat owners. Please ask the staff if you are unsure about any aspect of SN procedures.
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Sailing AreaThe sailing area is split into two parts, A and B. Captains may be limited to section A due to weather, personal ability, season, or as SN sees fit.Section A is limited by Ocean Marine to the south, the Berkley Bridge to the east, the
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shoals of Craford Bay and Scotts Creek to the west, and the midtown tunnel to the north.Section B extends beyond the midtown tunnel to buoy Green 19 east of Craney Island. The eastern and western borders are laid out in respect to shallows and restricted areas (shallows in light blue, restricted areas in
purple). The furthest western border is the West Norfolk high rise bridge.
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Emergency Procedures and GuidelinesIf you ever experience trouble underway, the first thing you should do is sail or motor out of the channel to a place that is safe from traffic. Below are safe areas in part A. Notice that any area free from shallow water or hazards that is also outside of the channel may be satisfactory. Wind direction and wave train are other considerations.
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Try to anticipate situations before they become emergencies. Many situations can often be prevented. Get the boat under control, prevent any additional injuries or boat damage, and try to reduce further risks.
Be pro-active. “Doing nothing” often results in the deterioration of conditions. Make and execute your decisions with the safety of the crew and the boat in mind.
Get the attention of SN staff. If needed, hail a nearby boat and have them radio the Sailing Center by using their VHF marine radio or cell phone.
Assess the situation and try to resolve any equipment problems. You may be able to sail back to the dock depending
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on the condition of the boat or type of equipment failure.
For minor sailing injuries, use the safety kit located on each boat. Again, you may be able to sail back to the dock and get medical attention depending on the condition of the injured. However, in the event of an emergency, hail assistance immediately.
All SN members are required to notify SN staff in the event of any sailing accident, injury or equipment failure. Staff must document all accidents and injuries.
Frequently Asked QuestionsHow long does it take to graduate from Crew to Captain? If you have decided that you want to go for the freedom and status of a captain, then it boils down to how quickly you learn and how often you practice. We have had multiple members graduate from zero knowledge of sailing to captain level in a few months because of their determination and zeal, but it is more common to take an entire season or even longer.Is there a guest charge? No, but guests must be accompanied by a member, and are not allowed to take skill clinics.Can I take my family sailing? Please do. As a community sailing center, we encourage families to take part.
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What is the availability of the boats? Whenever we are open (check website for seasonal hours). How far in advance should I book the boat? As little as two hours beforehand is often enough, but the more notice, the better, especially if you are looking for crew or a captain.
Special Events and Sailing ActivitiesSail Nauticus hosts over one hundred member activities throughout the year. These range from sailing activities like social sails, full moon sails, and skill clinics, to shore based events like the meet ‘n greet potluck and navigation classes. Below are some of the can’t-miss events of the season:
Sock Burning and Membership Drive- Kick off the sailing season on the spring equinox. Burn your winter socks in celebration of sock-less weather, enjoy food trucks and beverages, build a boat and enter the gutter race, and compete in the Mariner’s Olympics. Bring a friend interested in joining membership for event-only discounts.
Gettin’ Frisky on the Wisky- Our annual celebration, held in May aboard the Battleship Wisconsin, is the best party in Hampton Roads. Over 500 ticket
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holders and sponsors enjoy included food and drinks, live music, dancing, and a beautiful sunset to raise money for Sail Nauticus.
Harborfest- Members are invited to participate in the Parade of Sail in June. The beginning of a weekend that Norfolk dedicates to the water and all of its offerings, the parade is always a ton of fun.
Summer Sailstice- The longest sailing day of the year, held on the summer solstice in June.
Sails ‘n Ales- Held at one of our many local breweries, Sails ‘n Ales is a way for members to enjoy a field trip while helping raise awareness about our programs.
Oyster Roast- Held at the end of October, this party celebrates the past sailing season. Members and guests are invited to eat their fill of raw, roasted, and steamed oysters, listen to music, and compete in the chili/chowder/stew cook-off.
Grand Illumination Parade- Held mid-November, the parade is the culmination of hours of design, prep, and build by member volunteers. Members and Academy 8th graders are invited to participate in the parade itself, helping spread awareness of SN and having a fun time.
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Christmas Potluck and Party- The biggest Meet ‘n Greet potluck of the year, with tons of great food, drink and merriment!
Volunteer Opportunities at Sail NauticusVolunteer position times and schedules are in italics.For Everyone:
1. Events Committee- Join the group that plans and runs our annual events, including the Sock Burning, Summer Sailstice, Oyster Roast, Grand Illumination Parade, Sails ‘n Ales, and Getting’ Frisky on the Wisky. Meets throughout the year
2. Boat Maintenance- Help maintain our ever-expanding fleet. All experience levels welcome! Schedule based on volunteer availability
3. Photographer- Social media is the crux of recognition; help us get that amazing picture or video that becomes our hallmark. Various events based on volunteer availability
4. Dockmaster- Assist members as they come and go from the dock. Monitor boats currently on the water as well as tide, current, and weather. Advise boats
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leaving and returning to the dock on best practices given conditions.
For Captains:1. Mentor- Take a member under your
wing and pass on your experience and expertise in one-on-one sailing sessions. Your own schedule
2. Sail Abouts- Bring sailing to the masses! Take folks for a two hour sail and show them the wonders of sailing. Any time we’re open, requests go out once a week
3. Academy- Our keystone program. Teach a small group of four children about the day’s sailing subject aboard one of our boats. Any one or more days a week, 2:30 to 6:00pm Monday through Thursday during the school year
4. Skill Clinics- Using our syllabus as your guide, teach up to 4 other members a certain sailing skill. 10 to noon or noon to 2pm, Saturdays during the sailing season
Reserving a Boat1. Go to sailnauticus.org and click “Reserve
a Boat” in the top right of the screen.
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2. Scroll to the bottom of the page and log in to the reservation system.
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3. If a Captain level member, click “Reserve a Boat”
If Crew, view reservations and click on a reservation to join a boat.
4. Indicate the date and time. Reservations cannot be made for times we are not open, nor can they be longer than 2 hours.
5. Enter your name and any crew you are sailing with. If you don’t have crew or there is space left, other members can join your reservation. *Filling spaces with fictitious sailors is not allowed for anyone except mentors. Community sailing access is granted on the basis that everyone can sail*
6. Click “Limit Lists to Available Items”
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7. Select a boat and save your reservation
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Notes:
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