Getaway Sailing Adventures - AYF Safety & Sea Survival Training

by Getaway Sailing Adventures on 14 Sep 2001 Getaway Sailing Adventures commend skippers for support of the
AYF Safety & Sea Survival Training

Getaway Sailing Adventures, located at Birkenhead Point Drummoyne, are assisting crews participating in the Lord Howe Island Race to gain their AYF Safety & Sea Survival Qualifications.

Students participating in the course are united in their feedback. Speaking about the invaluable Wet Drills, Warwick Sherman, Skipper or Occasional Course Language says, 'whilst no one who hasn't actually 'been there' could ever really appreciate the fear and danger of such a horrendous predicament yesterdays (tame) introduction was a great leveller'.

Sherman, the first of many Skippers to insist on full crew participation was full of praise for his crew and said later 'the demonstration instilled a courage and an understanding in the crew which will surely reduce some of the anxiety, fear and sense of hopelessness in a real life situation. Every member of my crew felt stronger for the experience and are now far more prepared psychologically and physically to face the dangers of life threatening situations at sea'.

The recommendation that students bring along their own, PFD's and wet weather gear to test out in the wet drill has left some crew seriously doubting the abilities of their PFD's. Many students are praising the new regulation stipulating that Crotch or thigh straps are attached to their PFD's.

And many more are gaining insight in to the importance of entering the water with their lifejackets already on as some inflatable lifejackets prove impossible to put on once in the water. Sarah Paul of Occasional Course Language adds 'that it's quite difficult to execute simple manoeuvres in the pool, so adding a 40knt wind and 6m waves would make some of these tasks almost impossible'.

Hugh Burns another OCL crewmember sums up his experience as 'the most valuable training I've had for S.O.L.A.S'

Shane Kearns, Principal of Getaway Sailing Adventures, continues to commend those skippers who are getting behind the training and insisting on their crews participating, at least in wet drills together. Certainly crews working together on the course and afterwards seem to be getting the most out of the training.

Getaway Sailing Adventures are running more courses over the next few weeks. Courses can be completed weekdays, nights or on weekends; we have options to suit everyone. The full course costs $345 and includes textbooks and all theory notes and all practical sessions.

If your crewmembers already have the CYCA Safety Course Certificate and a qualifying 2500nm with at least 5 x Category 1 Races or 8 x Category 2 races, then they may be able to claim a Recognition of their Competence to gain exemption from the theory component of the course. An application for recognition is $ 22.00.

Students who believe they have the requisite for recognition should contact us immediately as they will only need to participate in the Wet Drill and complete the exam. Getaway Sailing Adventures provide this component of their course for $ 195.00 and will be running several more wet drills in the coming 3 weeks.

Contact Getaway Sailing Adventures today on 91 811 911 to book your course.
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