Meet and greet:
Upon arrival at Queensway Quay marina at around 1930 on the eve before the yacht sets sail you will be introduced to the yacht, your home for the duration of the course. You will be given a basic safety brief and dinner will be ashore if required. Accommodation is included on board. This is a great time to get acquainted with your instructor and other crew members and to get immersed in the whole nautical theme! But don't worry, you won't be expected to demonstrate a whole repertoire of sailing knowledge on the first evening, it is just a relaxing easy way to start the course.
Day 1
Today you will start after breakfast on board at around 0930 with a full safety brief, often delivered by a budding Day skipper under the watchful eye of your instructor. This morning you will spend some time refreshing your memory and practicing sailing manouvres while getting used to sailing as a crew. After a busy morning lunch will be on board, usually at anchor, where you may have time for a cheeky swim.
After Lunch, more sailing skills and drills, to include reefing efficiently, tacking, gybing and heaving to. As well as various methods of position fixing. If there is time you will explore the MOB procedure. Finish is usually around 1800 on day one.
The evening is spent back in our home marina where you will have some free time to explore the old city of Gibraltar, soak up the marina lifestyle and enjoy a meal ashore.
Day 2
After breakfast today you will plan a passage to another port in ether in Spain or Morocco. This will give you opportunity to calculate the tides and prepare a passage plan under the guidance of your instructor. The passage will usually be completed after lunch allowing some time for yet more exercises and drills beforehand.The finishing time will be slightly later than day one depending upon the destination. Upon arrival in the evening you will have time to explore the local area and possibly take a dip in the sea.
Day 3 and 4
These two days are much the same as day 2 with overnight stops at other ports. Each day the yacht will travel to a different destination and each and every crew member will take a turn
at skippering for a short or longer period and for many different exercises while you work through the RYA Day Skipper Syllabus. The focus during the Day Skipper course is on safely taking your yacht and crew from one place to another and to enjoy the voyage. We believe that you learn best when having fun so we have a no- pressure light hearted approach which is sure to keep you smiling while soaking up the knowledge!
Day 5
Today you will be returning to our home port of Queensway Quay Gibraltar. Despite it being the last day it is always super busy as there are always some last minute exercises and 'refinements' to do. Once back in Queensway Quay the skipper of the moment will ensure the yacht is secure and then after a clean down your instructor will sign logbooks and award certificates as appropriate. The course will be finished by 1600 hrs.
During the course you will cover at least 100 NM weather permitting and experience some night sailing. Each and every student will plan and execute a passage from one port to another where they can demonstrate their ability to skipper the yacht safely and effectively and take charge of an emergency situation such as Man overboard.
Jolly Parrot supply breakfast, lunches and snacks for the entire week along with two evening meals which can be scheduled in as your instructor sees fit although many students prefer to step ashore and sample the local fare whenever possible.