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Tasman Adventures Sail Training – Level 3

INSHORE SKIPPER

Move from standing a watch to planning and skippering the passage.


A five-day liveaboard course developing the practical skills, judgement and confidence to plan and skipper day passages in coastal waters.


5 days / 4 nights 

D'Entrecasteaux Channel & Norfolk Bay
Siren's Song · $2,995 per person

Enquire about Inshore Skipper

Is Inshore Skipper for you?

 Inshore Skipper is for experienced crew and watchleaders who are ready to take responsibility for the whole yacht and crew.


You should already be comfortable sailing, handling lines, standing a watch and taking an active role in the operation of a cruising yacht.


You don't need to have completed Watchleader if you have gained equivalent experience elsewhere, but you should have sailed at least 500 nautical miles before starting the course.


The focus now shifts from carrying out tasks to planning ahead, making decisions and taking responsibility as skipper.


What you'll learn

Over five days aboard Siren's Song, you'll develop the practical skills and judgement needed to plan and skipper inshore passages safely.

  • Plan coastal passages up to approximately 20 nautical miles from a safe haven 
  • Find, interpret and apply reliable marine weather forecasts 
  • Understand tides and incorporate them into passage planning 
  • Prepare the yacht and crew before departure 
  • Provision for a coastal passage 
  • Give clear crew and safety briefings 
  • Plan and practise a person-overboard recovery 
  • Use sails efficiently and make appropriate sail choices 
  • Navigate using charts, electronic navigation and pilotage 
  • Make decisions about weather, route, timing and safe havens 
  • Understand the responsibilities of the skipper 
  • Manage the safety and wellbeing of the yacht and crew 
  • Use appropriate radio procedures and local reporting or check-in arrangements 
  • Understand and manage the yacht's safety equipment

The Inshore Skipper Experience

Inshore Skipper is a five-day, four-night liveaboard course aboard Siren's Song, sailing in the D'Entrecasteaux Channel and Norfolk Bay.


You'll live aboard for the duration of the course and progressively take responsibility for planning and skippering passages. Rather than simply responding to instructions, you'll be expected to think ahead — considering weather, tides, navigation, the yacht and the needs of your crew.


You'll plan passages, brief the crew, prepare the yacht, make decisions underway and bring the yacht safely to its destination.


Training is practical and hands-on. You'll take turns acting as skipper, with instruction and support available as you develop your confidence and judgement.


Duration: 5 days / 4 nights
Location: D'Entrecasteaux Channel & Norfolk Bay, Southern Tasmania
Yacht: Siren's Song

Before you start

Previous sailing and watchkeeping experience is required.


You should be a competent and active member of a sailing crew and comfortable taking responsibility for a watch.


Before starting Inshore Skipper, you should have sailed at least 500 nautical miles. You don't need to have completed Tasman Adventures Deckhand or Watchleader if you have gained equivalent experience elsewhere.


The important thing is that you're ready to move from helping to run the yacht to learning how to take responsibility for the passage as a whole.

By the end of Inshore Skipper

You should be able to plan and skipper straightforward day passages in coastal waters, remaining within approximately 20 nautical miles of a safe haven, in conditions appropriate to your experience and the yacht.


You'll be able to prepare the yacht and crew, plan the passage, interpret weather and tides, navigate safely and make sound decisions as conditions change.


You'll also understand that good skippering isn't about knowing everything — it's about planning ahead, managing risk and recognising when conditions are beyond your experience or the capability of the yacht and crew.


You'll be ready to plan the passage and take responsibility for it.

Ready to take the helm?

Inshore Skipper – Tasman Adventures Sail Training Level 3
5 days / 4 nights aboard Siren's Song
D'Entrecasteaux Channel & Norfolk Bay, Southern Tasmania
$2,995 per person


If you're ready to start skippering your own passages, or you're not sure whether your experience is right for Inshore Skipper, get in touch and we'll have a chat about where you're at and what you'd like to achieve.

Enquire about Inshore Skipper

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