This course will have no more than five students per instructor. The course will cover:  the basics of seamanship; the essentials of coastal navigation and pilotage; chart work; electronic charts; position fixing; plotting a course to steer; weather forecasting and meteorology; tides; collision regulations; construction, parts and equipment of a cruising boat; emergency and safety procedures including distress calls, use of flares, safety harnesses, lifejackets and liferafts.