ANTIGUA’S RYA SAILING SCHOOL REACHES OUT TO COMMUNITY
Ondeck, the Antiguan based sailing charter and training company, will host a CAREERS SEMINAR on the morning July 3rd in the hope of opening up sailing to a wider Antiguan audience and help aid more Antiguans in developing careers on the water similar to Ondeck's Skipper Samara (Nickey) Emmanuel who is completing her Captains license with Ondeck this year.
Following a successful inspection by the UK based RYA last week; Ondeck has announced an increase in course offerings. The Royal Yachting Association has credited the facility with the capability of training all ages, beginners to experts. The courses Ondeck can now offer from their base in Falmouth Harbour include internationally recognized Captains qualifications, Personal Watercraft and Powerboat qualifications and Radio Operators qualifications.
Logan Knight, Ondeck’s Chief Instructor commented, “We have worked extremely hard to make the Maritime training facility a success, this is now paying off. Whilst people are enjoying the summer they should also consider learning how to sail and get out on the water’s around our island. Sailing is a great hobby and may lead on to rewarding career for many of our young people.”
Ondeck is equipped to take complete beginners to seasoned sailors out on the water and the Antiguan operation is renowned for its yacht racing, cruising and charter events. To find out further information on the CAREERS SEMINAR, please contact 562-6696 or email Antigua@ondeckoceanracing.com.
HIDDEN CARIBBEAN DATES
Our Hidden Caribbean dates for the next season are as follows:
NOV 24th - 30th, 2010
Barbados - Tobago Cays - St Vincent - Martinique - Dominica - Antigua
DEC 27th - JAN 2nd, 2010 (CHRISTMAS CRUISE)
Antigua - Montserrat - St Kitts - Saba - Anguilla - Antigua
JAN 16th - 22nd, 2011
Antigua - Montserrat - St Kitts - Saba - Barbuda - Antigua
FEB 6th - 12th, 2011
Antigua - Montserrat - St Kitts - Saba - Barbuda - Antigua
MARCH 13th - 19th, 2011
Antigua - Montserrat - St Kitts - Saba - Barbuda - Antigua
These trips go out on our 65ft yachts and are great for singles and islanders looking for a nice getaway!
The prices are US$ 1295 per person, with a discount of 10% available for bookings of 2 or more.
Ondeck, the sailing and maritime training specialist based in Falmouth Harbour has received high acclaim for its most recent Yachtmaster training course. Ondeck’s chief instructor spent 40 hours in the classroom and 40 hours on the water with 8 Super yacht crew teaching them the Yachtmaster/Captains course.
The students had unanimous praise for their experience with Ondeck and were especially complimentary about their Instructor, one student commented, “Logan just has a way of teaching that makes it easy to learn.” Antiguan Logan Knight has been sailing the local waters since childhood and is proud to be able to impart his extensive knowledge to visiting yachtsman.
The students were all taught in Ondeck’s new classroom facility in the Compton building, this office compliments the existing Shop on the top level of Antigua Yacht Club marina and will serve the needs of the yachting community, overseas visitors and the local community in running career building courses focused around sailing.
DAY 5 - DOCKING TECHNIQUES AND THE SAIL HOME
Sent Saturday morning as round up of the week
What a great week! I have to confess that it wasn’t something I was really looking forward to, as I wasn’t sure what to expect but it was brilliant! Logan is a very skilled sailor and totally unflappable (at least he was this week, even when we got things totally wrong!!!) he just calmly told us what to do to rectify the error and guess what, it worked!!
Friday was spent between Jolly Harbour and English Harbour – in the morning we spent some time practising stern to moorings and then moved out to the floating moorings to practice there and I ended up breaking the boat hook trying to hook the mooring!!! First attempt was fine but second time around JD was at the helm and Glenn helping me and JD was motoring too fast and Glen didn’t bend down far enough to catch it – well that’s my excuse and I’m sticking to it!!! LOL
We then motored out to sea and headed around to English Harbour. Unfortunately there wasn’t much wind to start with so we kept the engine running (don’t forget the guys were anxious to meet up with the Italian models so there was no way they were going to slowly wind their way on the gentle winds we had :)) After a while though the winds got up and we were able to hoist the jib and sail the rest of the way home. Unfortunately along with the wind we ran into a 15 minute squall which in a way was quite refreshing!
We finally ‘met up’ with Pete (chairman of On Deck) and the other yacht out at sea and the guys finally got their glimpse of the models (taking part in an Italian Reality TV show Donnaventura) . After ‘racing’ them into English Harbour (we won this time!!) we then spent some time practising ‘man overboard’ with a coil of rope and a fender – I’m happy to say it didn’t drown and was safely rescued each time and when it was my turn managed to hook it in without breaking anything! When then sailed into the AYC Marina and moored up smoothly and Alison from Antiguanice.com was there to welcome us back along with Helen Spooner (Helen’s been poorly for a couple of days so thank you so much for coming out to say hi, we really appreciated it).
Last on the agenda was to clean up the boat, put everything away in its’ place and then have a final individual de-brief with Logan to find out if we had passed or failed.
Lots of you have probably seen the press release all about Logan Knight who is the highest qualified RYA Instructor in the Caribbean and he really is good. He makes the courses informative, relaxed, fun and professional all rolled into one – which I think is the best way to learn. The cabins on the yacht are comfortable (and you get a small wall mounted fan too, which was sooooo needed this week), the safety briefing is thorough and during the course Logan constantly checks to make sure you’re ok and understand what is being done and why. He has so much patience and is happy to go over things numerous times to make sure it sinks in and not just with novices like me – he was as patient and calm with the guys doing the Day Skipper Course too (maybe not quite so polite but just as patient :))
Thanks Logan – highly recommended!
Hope you all enjoyed reading the daily updates of the week – it’s now back to reality and work, well not quite as now I’m off travelling for the next 3 weeks for a mixture of holiday and work.
9.30am from Foredeck at Jolly Harbour
Well today is the last day of a really great week. I've learnt a lot and didn't realise I was learning because it has been such a relaxed and informal course whilst be very professional. The other 3 guys have really made it different!
We are now getting ready to leave our mooring at Jolly Harbour to practise a few docking techniques before sailing to English Harbour for the last timel
Last night was quiet, we had a couple of drinks on board then JD and Logan went to get our supper from the rum shop in Bolans then Glen went home for the night (no team spirit, just cos he had to sleep in the main salon) LOL.
Will let you know how the day goes and whether we all pass or fail - wish us luck!
DAY 4 - RACING CRUISE SHIP PASSENGERS
After arriving at English Harbour this morning at around 12:30am we had a couple of drinks on deck before retiring for the evening as English Harbour seemed closed – at least by the AYC Marina. After a lazy wake up at around 8am we then had a tasty breakfast, cooked by me J, before we raced against some cruise ship passengers! We were a little apprehensive as to what the racing was going to be like but it turned out to be great fun! There were 8 guests and 2 of the them came with us and the other 6 went on the other On Deck yacht – can you believe it, they beat us after cheating LOL!!!! We spent approx 2hrs at sea with the cruise ship passengers before we docked and then went for the most delicious and inexpensive lunch at Cloggies in their new location below the Yacht Club – lunch for 5 with soft drinks and water came to less than $300EC and it was sooooooooo delicious, thanks Ton and Vanessa, we will all definitely be back.
After lunch we then got ready and set sail for Jolly Harbour – Tony plotted the course and took the helm and after about 30 minutes Logan ran through the syllabus for the Competent Crew with me and I was so surprised at how much I have learnt. Amazing how you think you are not doing much or learning much until someone starts asking you questions and you actually the know the answer, especially when a few days before you didn’t really know anything about the subject before hand.
The weather was great – again - and we saw the Sub Cat tender together with a few local fishing boats on route to Jolly Harbour – we cast out our fishing line but unfortunately didn’t catch a thing! It was a very clear day and Montserrat and Guadalope were very visible and we saw numerous turtles, flying fish and mackerel jumping. Just another ideal day in paradise but as I’ve said before, someone has to do it – however difficult and unpleasant it maybe LOL.
Tonight we’re moored up in Jolly Harbour enjoying a couple of drinks, while we put the world to rights – these 3 guys are such fun and are constantly winding each other up; arguing like crazy one minute and laughing their heads off the next! The topics of conversation have been so wide and varying it would make your toes curl if I blogged them! They know everyone and everything (or at least think they do) and life is going to be real quiet next week without their constant ‘grinding’!!
So tonight it is shower, something to eat, something to drink and then bed before we get up a little earlier than today and spend a few hours practising stern to mooring; docking and springing on and off the dock before we set sail for our final voyage to English Harbour. Which will very interesting, as apparently, there are some Italian models who are chartering one of the other On Deck boats tomorrow and, as you can imagine, the guys are eager to assist in any way they can to ensure that the models trip goes well and are insisting that we meet up with their boat en route – oh my word!!
TRACY AT SEA WITH ONDECK
MIDNIGHT AT SEA
Well we arrived in English Harbour safe and sound at around 1230 this morning after our night sail from Jolly Harbour. Tony plotted our course from JH to Carlisle Bay then JD and Glen took a 3 point fix to verify our position. Tony took the helm to Turners and then I took over to Carlisle Bay. Next it was Glen and he sailed us through some squally weather into English Harbour. The night sail was excellent but only because the weather was calm! I really enjoyed it and I know the others did too.
The sky was not clear enough to navigate by but Logan taught me the way to check you're holding the correct course using one star in relation to the mast head. Apparently Logan can navigate by the stars but he is the only one who can :)
For safety reasons we all had to wear life jackets and harness in at night, which is a logical necessity but what seemed crazy to me is that a couple of the navigation bouys coming out of Jolly Harbour are not lit and that to my limited experience is potentially very dangerous. So Jolly Harbour if you happen to read this, please get this fixed soon!.
After spending the night on board at AYCMarina, today we are racing in English Harbour before sailing back to Jolly Harbour until Friday when we sail back to English Harbour and find out whether we pass or fail.
ONDECK EXTENDS ANTIGUA TRAINING CAPABILITY
Ondeck is pleased to announce the further development of its Antiguan training capabilities.
The RYA [Royal Yacht Association] sea school opened its doors in late 2008 with the appointment of Logan Knight, the first Antiguan RYA Chief Instructor and has since delivered training to Antiguan’s, visitors from Europe, North America and other Caribbean islands.
Logan says “We have been particularly pleased with the demand from Antiguan’s already working in the industry but who want to further develop their skills for career progression. One of our early students is now working on one of the world’s most famous racing yachts Leopard”
Logan has recently returned from a month of training at Ondeck’s head office in the UK and now has the additional capability to deliver training and professional certification in SRC [Radio], Personal Watercraft, Sea Survival and Advanced Powerboat.
Logan commented “The new Radio Operators is one standard that is recognised worldwide and will be of great benefit to many who use the new digital radios as part of their work”
Peter Anthony, the Chairman of Ondeck, commented.
“Professional qualifications have traditionally been a must for those wanting to work in the industry in Europe and North America and these standards are being introduced here in Antigua. Additionally the Cruise Lines will soon be demanding sight of captain and crew certification in order to approve tour operators.
Our vision is to be able to meet all of these training needs without the need to travel overseas and to make Ondeck and Antigua a ‘centre of training excellence’ for the Caribbean and worldwide. ”
About Ondeck
Ondeck Antigua has been established for 3 years and is based in the Antigua Yacht Club Marina, Falmouth. Apart from training they offer day charters, Adventure sailing around the Caribbean, racing in all of the Caribbean Regattas and is a silver sponsor of Antigua Race Week
About the RYA
The RYA is an internationally recognised institution which prides itself on its high standards especially in accrediting independent sailing schools such as Ondeck. The RYA was founded in November 1875, and is seen in the UK and worldwide as the leading force in looking after the welfare and opinions of yachtsmen, as well as training and conduct on the sea.
Its qualifications are the most widely accepted globally
END OF DAY 3 - BANANA BREAD DELIVERED BY ADVENTURE ANTIGUA
End of Day 3 - and about to set sail for English Harbour, IN THE DARK
We are now having a quiet half an hour or so in Jolly Harbour before we sail down to English Harbour as part of the Skippers course the others are on involves night sailing!!
Last night was our first night on board and was great fun! Glen decided he was going to sleep on deck but the rain came so that put the dampers on that!! With 3 cabins – me; JD and skipper Logan were nice and comfortable with our own beds, fans and portholes but Tony and Glenn were in the main cabin – they reckoned they didn’t sleep much but it was real quiet whenever the waves rocking the boat woke me up! It was a lovely clear morning when everyone started stirring at around 730 and so different to wake to the sound of the waves lapping at the bow of the boat. Everything was so clear and quiet – it was picture book perfect, just as you would imagine dawn in the Caribbean aboard a yacht moored in a remote bay would be.
Today was a great day, the sun was shining; we had decent winds all the way to St John’s and each of the guys took a time at the helm whilst I was kept busy on the winches and catching the sun’s ray!!! Very hard work but someone has to do it ƒº We took various compass readings though out the day to make sure we were on the right course and used various different landmarks as pointers. Lunch was a casual affair on board, prepared by JD and Glenn and supper tonight was from a local rum shop in Bolan’s – very tasty bbq chicken, rice & green salad. The guys have all gone off for a shower whilst I send this from Foredeck. The guys are being really great and leaving the bathroom just for me but I would imagine that with a full ‘normal’ crew it can get a little unpleasant with up to 8 people using the facilities! I guess it’s the ‘norm’ when it comes to sailing but if you’re not used to it .....
The night sail will be interesting as none of us have done this before and it is obviously quite a challenge so we all have to wear lifejackets and be harnessed up before we set sail. The week is passing real fast and everyone is having a great time plus of course working hard! While we were anchored in Deep Bay, Eli from Adventure Antigua stopped by to drop off some very tasty banana bread and to see how JD and Tony were doing. We also passed Excellence and Wadadli Cats – yet again and then Tony’s crew from Adventure Antigua’s Eco Tour passed close by to say hi!
Time to sign off to get ready for the night sail down to English Harbour – hopefully it will be a calm and clear night so we can navigate by the stars (will be interesting to see if any of the guys can do it the old fashioned way!!) (As editor - we are not sure about this last comment!!)
DAY 3 - GLEN AT THE HELM
Well we've just set sail from Green Island heading for St Johns. The winds are a fresh 15 knots from the North East and Glen is at the helm.
Last night we never got our conchs as the water was too murky but Skipper Logan cooked a mean pasta supper which went down real nice with a couple of gin & tonics with fresh lime!
We've just passed both Wadadli Cats and Extreme on their way to GI - I think today is going to be much better than yesterday as the sun is out and everyone in good spirits. Glen has plotted the course and is running Tony & JD!
More winching and knots for me and hopefully some time on at the helm - oh nearly forgot if the engine fails today it'll be my fault as I was responsible for checking it this morning!
DAY 2 UPDATES - BOTCHED ATTEMPT AT BARBUDA BUT ALL IS NOT LOST
Just in from Tracy!
Well today was interesting to say the least. We left the AYC Marina and called into Slipway for fuel before setting sail for Barbuda however things were not on our side and we changed course for Green Island and we're now anchored up for the night planning our course for tomorrow and everyone is trying to out do each other with tales of sharks in our waters - I think I'll stay on board rather than take a swim!
JD and Tony each had the helm today so tomorrow Glen is going to show us what he can do - providing it's not too rough I think I'll have another try. Today I was kept busy on the primary winches and - I've learnt another couple of knots, the round turn and two half hitches. Oh and I also prepared lunch & afternoon tea!!
Should be a good evening as we're going diving for conch and then have a bbq on the beach.
Providing my battery stays alive I'll let you know what supper was like in the morning and Logan is promising a full cooked breakfast tomorrow.
Sent from my BlackBerry® device from Digicel No virus found in this incoming message.
TRACY GOES TO SEA WITH ONDECK
Already nicknamed 'Green horn' from the wicked crew she is on board with, Tracy of Indigo Event Services sets sail this morning to become 'Competent Crew' - the question is will she be able to take the unrelenting banter from the boys on board?
'Green Horn', for those who are not Deadliest Catch fans, according to fellow crew Glen of Creole Cruises Antigua , is the bottom of the food chain, the gopher, or the work horse. Take your pick, which ever name you chose, it looks like Tracy is out for one of the most physically challenging weeks of her life, as the three boys - all doing their Day Skipper qualification on board a 40 foot modern beneteau 'Spirit of Venus', intend to treat her like crew - competent or not!
Tracy for her sins got roped in (no pun intended) to cover the course for the week, as a 'favour' to Antiguanice.com and Ondeck. This same course, Competent Crew, is up for grabs at this weeks ICT FEST as one of the prizes for the video competition. What better way to show everyone what it's like and what the winner of the video competition would experience, than reporting from the helm so to speak.
So at 9.00 am today we left a grinning Tracy, who was more concerned about whether she had enough rum with her, and why she had bigger bags than the boys (hint, they are boys right?), than whether she knew her knots.
The rest of the crew comprise Logan, the fully qualified Antiguan Instructor with a superbly calm demeanour, J.D. and Tony, normally of Adventure Antigua power boat fame, and Glen of Creole Cruises (also a power boat). It's a bit like the joke, - an Antiguan, a Dominican and a Englishman...........The surprise however maybe on them, as as much as Tracy may not know her mainsail from her mast, she is VERY used to being the person in charge, as being an event planner and wedding organiser she is generally giving out orders and making sure things run smoothly. How she will react to the boot being on the other foot we are yet to see.
Check back thoughout the week as Tracy files reports on what is happening and will be updating us via Facebook - if she can get her blackberry back out of the snug waterproof bag it's in.
Enjoy Tracy - and please remember to get the photo of J.D. if he does decide to moon of the back of the boat!
From Left to Right - Glen, Tony, Tracy, J.D. and Logan.
TRACY'S UPDATES
1st Update - 12.32 pm -Monday, September 14th 2009.
Well we"ve just left english harbour heading round to Carlisle Bay for the first leg of the course. First off we each had to sail a figure of eight round the bouys and now we're out in the deep blue sea! Great fun so far as the crew all know each other & there's a lot of ribbing going on. Not looking forward to my turn to take the helm but it'll be fun and I know they won't leave me to figure it out on my own! Got to go as we now going to jib so watch this space!
Sent from my BlackBerryR device
2nd Update - 7.16 pm - Monday, September 14th 2009.
Well the first day is over with and I have to admit it was great fun – was really apprehensive until I found out the other 3 guys were JD, Tony & Glen. They have been great and really encouraging which I so need, you have no idea how intimidating it is when those 3 all work on the water (albeit on motor boats) and I just go to the beach occasionally!! However when we stopped at The Drop Inn, English Harbour for a drink someone said ‘maybe they can’t organise events’ – true!
Anyway, after a morning of briefings and safety checks we left AYC Marina, did our figure of 8’s and sailed over to Carlisle Bay – I took the helm for about 15 minutes following a very competent Tony (insisting that Logan stayed very close) and it whilst it was scary to start (bit like learing to drive a car, you have so many things to think of and do at once!) and then I got to feel a little more confident although they all kept teasing as I was not really joining in the conversation. After a tasty lunch of assorted sandwiches and juice we set sail back to EH with JD and Glen taking turns at the helm whilst I was on the lazy winch.
Back on land for tonight and then back to EH for 0900 when we set sail for Jolly Harbour and beyond. Tomorrow will be first night on board, just hope it’s not too hot & stuffy in the cabin – need my air!!!
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