Advice for new owners from Australia coming to Europe to collect a boat

[goboatingnow]

Originally Posted by mark_morwood

I too had heard rumours about requirements for an ICC, but we've been in the Med for the last 8 months and have never been asked for one or even heard it mentioned. Kind of disappointing seeing as I have one!

My understanding had been that for recreational boats registered in another country, the laws of the registering country apply to the crews qualifications. I don't know how the ICC fits in with that.

It is actually quite hard to get an ICC as a US skipper as far as I am aware there is no national body issuing them. I got mine through the RYA in the UK which is allowed to issue them for citizens of countries that don't have their own issuing authority. Not sure what the situation is in Australia.

I suspect as a US flagged boat we may not be representative, as my assumption is that everyone here has become used to crew on US flagged boats having no formal qualifications, as you need no formal qualifications to drive a recreational boat in the US. So my guess is they don't even bother asking skippers of US boats for their qualifications. I don't know if they do for European or other flagged boats.

I suspect your last comment about Aussie's sticking together may not come across as you meant for everyone here. I happen to be Australian (and American), but I think you'll find most of the people on this forum sharing their time and giving very good advice are not. You'll find the cruising community is very international, and in my experience tends to be very helpful regardless of the nationality of those involved. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised to find that you'll find things in common with cruisers you meet along the way that go beyond simple things such as where you were born.

Most European countries do not require formal qualifications to skipper sail boats. Some have no registration, licensing or insurance requirements

Dave

[simonpickard]

In terms of the Sim card... this is the one we're going for..
Europa SIM-Card - Mobiles Internet in Europe, jederzeit, überall - ab

3 euro per day, but that includes 500MB of data- which is WAY more than anyone else we could find.

You only pay the 3 euro on days you use. So our plan is to just use it once or twice per week.

[Toys_with_time]

Originally Posted by simonpickard

In terms of the Sim card... this is the one we're going for..
Europa SIM-Card - Mobiles Internet in Europe, jederzeit, überall - ab

3 euro per day, but that includes 500MB of data- which is WAY more than anyone else we could find.

You only pay the 3 euro on days you use. So our plan is to just use it once or twice per week.

We use the travel sim for phone calls only. We buy a prepaid data sim in each country and use it with a wireless non locked USB modem (bought it over there as far cheaper than here) so everyone on board can share the signal. Typical cost is less than 1 euro per day depending on country. Your Europa sim sounds interesting though. Also have a wifi booster amplified aerial to pick up signals from cafes etc.

TwT

[simonpickard]

1 euro per day sounds great! How much data are you getting for that?

[mark_morwood]

I think it has already been mentioned somewhere on this thread, but for the new to cruising internationally, Noonsite.com — Noonsite is a great resource for finding out about the latest entry requirements and regulations country by country.

[Toys_with_time]

Originally Posted by simonpickard

1 euro per day sounds great! How much data are you getting for that?

Not on board so cant check and it varies from country to country but from memory Greece was about 40 Euros for 50 or 60?? days for about 5GB??. France was only country were couldn't buy a sim card as wanted a fixed address but may have improved. Everywhere else just want passport.

TwT

[The Miss]

Re goboatingnow's comment.

Re the qualifications to take on your own boat I'm wondering the thoughts out there re me the miss qualifications.

As I have said earlier I have little experience to this point. I read the Bumfuzzle site and decided their approach although good for them not so good for a Miss like me.

My sailing experience thus far:

First experience on the water was the last day of my honeymoon 25 years ago when my husband took me on a surprise tuna fishing trip with the soccer club. It was a glimpse of the future and thus far everyday on the water is a good day - even in crap weather I still like it.

Since then lots of small motor boating in local Tasmanian waters, occasional sails with friends, a 2 week charter in the Whitsundays on Perry 42 and now some twilight sailing and lots of fishing in between.

I am about to start my day skippers course theory and have started twilight sailing at my local club and planned to do my Day skippers course May once the theory was complete. However it has been suggested I do the Competent crew course instead of the Day Sailor course as this is enough to begin with. Each course cost just under $2000 by the time I pay to get interstate and pay the fees so not sure I want to do both courses....
The suggestion is to do the competent crew course now and then have 5 months of good practice before we go away rather than do the course just before we go away.

Interested to hear your thoughts

Cheers
the Miss

[simonpickard]

Hi 'Miss',

I've done all the courses in Sydney. Have to say I'm really glad I did the competent crew, and above courses. I wouldn't have got the most from Day Skipper without getting training on the j24's first.

Day Skipper was great also, but for me the big two I'd say I've learn't the most in are Coastal Yachtmaster + Sea survival.

In coastal you really get into navigation side of things more + tides, etc. And I learn't a lot on the sea survival course- hopefully I'll never need to put half of it into practise but at least I've been thought life jackets inflating / how darn hard it is to get into a life-raft, letting off flares, etc.

Of course any experience on the water is great, but the problem I find with the twilight races, etc, is you can get stuck doing a single task rather than really learning the techniques behind sailing.

Just my 2c anyhow.

All the best,
Simon

[D&D]

Hi Miss

Re courses et.al., give some thought to the TAFE Maritime courses; they are more oriented toward commercial (rather than yachting) seatime, but they nevertheless teach (and, in our view, teach very well) important matters like navigation, radar, tides, sea survival, stability and much more...and, because they are government supported, they tend to be lot less expensive! You won't end up with the Yachmaster qualification (altho some TAFE's may offer that as well, albeit with higher fees) but the commercial martitime qualifications (Coxswain, MasterV, STCW) are also very useful and widely recognized. Check your local TAFE and, if they offer Maritime units, that may save you some big travel costs!

As with any plans to be on the sea, however, the more time spent on the water (and ideally in the sort of situation where you see yourself in the future, i.e. a nice sail cat!) the better you'll be prepared for whatever comes along; so take any opportunities you can in those situations. For example, if anyone needs crew to sail to the mainland (or back) or any coastal (or open water) passages, jump aboard!

When do you think we might see your new boat in OZ waters?

[goboatingnow]

Originally Posted by The Miss

Re goboatingnow's comment.

Re the qualifications to take on your own boat I'm wondering the thoughts out there re me the miss qualifications.

As I have said earlier I have little experience to this point. I read the Bumfuzzle site and decided their approach although good for them not so good for a Miss like me.

My sailing experience thus far:

First experience on the water was the last day of my honeymoon 25 years ago when my husband took me on a surprise tuna fishing trip with the soccer club. It was a glimpse of the future and thus far everyday on the water is a good day - even in crap weather I still like it.

Since then lots of small motor boating in local Tasmanian waters, occasional sails with friends, a 2 week charter in the Whitsundays on Perry 42 and now some twilight sailing and lots of fishing in between.

I am about to start my day skippers course theory and have started twilight sailing at my local club and planned to do my Day skippers course May once the theory was complete. However it has been suggested I do the Competent crew course instead of the Day Sailor course as this is enough to begin with. Each course cost just under $2000 by the time I pay to get interstate and pay the fees so not sure I want to do both courses....
The suggestion is to do the competent crew course now and then have 5 months of good practice before we go away rather than do the course just before we go away.

Interested to hear your thoughts

Cheers
the Miss

I would suggest that the competence crew course would be of little challenge to you. The Day Skipper practical is a very good introductory skippers course, even if its fairly packed. It should challenge you. I'd recommend it.

Dave

[The Miss]

Hi Dave

thanks to you and others for advice. I will take your advice and will continue with the theory and then Day Skipper in May prior to June departure, plus as much of being on the blue as I can inbetween.

Also based on the best tag of all “You can’t believe how bleeding scary the sea is! There’s, like, whales and storms and ****! They don’t bloody tell you that!”
I have downloaded Libba Bray book and will read with great interest...

Cheers
the Miss
Homepage | Miss Catana

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by The Miss

Hi Dave

thanks to you and others for advice. I will take your advice and will continue with the theory and then Day Skipper in May prior to June departure, plus as much of being on the blue as I can inbetween.

Also based on the best tag of all “You can’t believe how bleeding scary the sea is! There’s, like, whales and storms and ****! They don’t bloody tell you that!”
I have downloaded Libba Bray book and will read with great interest...

Cheers
the Miss
Homepage | Miss Catana

Glad your taking a 'Skipper' course of some kind that gives you a paper to wave under officious nose's...
All it needs is one bad tempered Harbour Master to screw up your life if you do not have the minimum acceptable level.. regardless of what anyone says.. keep the little gods happy..

[The Miss]

Well for the little God's, the husband will have plenty of paperwork. I am keen to do the courses because I like to have reasonable idea of how to do things and it seems like the smart way to go.

Cheers
the Miss

[Factor]

Originally Posted by D&D

Hi Miss

Re courses et.al., give some thought to the TAFE Maritime courses; they are more oriented toward commercial (rather than yachting) seatime, but they nevertheless teach (and, in our view, teach very well) important matters like navigation, radar, tides, sea survival, stability and much more...and, because they are government supported, they tend to be lot less expensive! You won't end up with the Yachmaster qualification (altho some TAFE's may offer that as well, albeit with higher fees) but the commercial martitime qualifications (Coxswain, MasterV, STCW) are also very useful and widely recognized. Check your local TAFE and, if they offer Maritime units, that may save you some big travel costs!

+1, - very good advice, I support D&Ds comment.

[downunder]

Originally Posted by Factor

+1, - very good advice, I support D&Ds comment.

+1 If you were to get your coxwains ticket you would most likely have the sea time to sit for your masterV ticket when you eventually get back to Aus. Not necessary but doable.