University of Southern California

NAUT 301a

Crew Level
Offered Fall, Spring, and Summer Session 1
Monday 2:00pm to 5:00pm
Monday 7:00pm to 10:00pm
First 5 Mondays of each semester

2 units
No prior experience necessary

Students acquire the skills to crew aboard an offshore sailing vessel.

During the theoretical portion of the class, students learn crew-level seamanship and the navigation skills necessary to operate a sailing vessel offshore. A total of 16 lecture hours are spent on campus learning these skills in theory. Additionally, there is a dockside demonstration/orientation of Atlantas, the primary vessel for the class. This is intended to familiarize students with the vessel before having to crew aboard her. For the newcomer to sailing, this will also provide a platform and context for the classroom discussions.

At the completion of the theoretical portion of the class, students will embark on a two-day, overnight voyage to Catalina. Depending on enrollment, a full day will be spent at sea on both Atlantas and Artemis. During their time aboard, all students will participate in helmsmanship and navigation, applying seamanship and navigation skills learned in the classroom. After arrival in Catalina, there will be time to enjoy island life ashore. Vessel departure time is 9:30am on the first day; return is approximately 5:00pm on day two.

Focus
Navigation Skills
Seamanship Skills
Basic Sailing Theory

CNET Skills Profile for Crew Level Course (301a)
Mission: to train a student in the fundamentals of sailing theory, marlinspike seamanship, ship handling and rules of the road. Upon completion of the course, the student will be able to perform the duties of crewman on an offshore sailing vessel as outlined in Offshore Sail Training Manual P1552/1 (Series) and in accordance with the applicable sail training manual(s). Chief of Naval Education and Training.

Profile Statements: Tasks Taught

  1. Identify lines, rigging and sails on a sailboat using standard nomenclature
  2. Identify standing and running rigging associated with the use of sails
  3. Identify common sailing rigs
  4. Analyze the forces applicable to the aerodynamics of sails
  5. Locate and identify a sailing vessel safety equipment and running rigging.
  6. Identify basic principles and skills of marlinspike seamanship
  7. Identify the use of the square knot, bowline, clove hitch, stopper knot, and half hitch
  8. Identify the function of mooring system components
  9. List the sequence of steps for anchoring a sailing vessel
  10. Identify ground tackle associated with a sailing vessel anchoring
  11. Trim sails for each point of sail
  12. Identify environmental and inherent factors associated with ship handling
  13. Assist in mooring a sailing vessel
  14. Assist in anchoring a sailing vessel
  15. Identify terms and definitions associated with Rules of the Road
  16. Identify lights required by Rules of the Road for sail and power vessels
  17. Identify crewman watch station requirements for an offshore sailing vessel
  18. Maneuver a sailboat to each of the four points of sail
  19. Chart reading and basic navigation
  20. Safety systems