Experience required prior training: None
Certification required prior training: None
Who can run the training: ISSA Instructor or minimum Offshore Skipper
Who can do the examination: ISSA Instructor or minimum Offshore Skipper
How to submit the application: Only through authorized ISSA school
Skills and knowledge required for a Keelboat Level 1
1. Can sail a keelboat under instruction, in light winds, respecting the collision regulations, and paying attention to balance and trim.
2. Wears appropriate clothing and buoyancy.
3. Can rig and reef a keelboat.
4. Can identify reaching, can turn, and slalom back to departure point.
5. Can use a winch and trim sails on all points of sailing.
6. Can sail close hauled, and tack.
7. Can run, and gybe.
8. Can stop the boat on a reach, close-hauled, and from a run.
9. Can pick up a mooring.
10. Can sail alongside a jetty.
11. Can anchor.
12. Can prepare for towing.
13. Can tie a figure of eight knot and a bowline.
14. Knows; sources of weather forecasts, and sail aerodynamics.
15. Understands the importance of the crew working as a team.
16. Knows the procedure for man overboard.
Skills and knowledge required for a Keelboat Level 2
1. Can sail a keelboat in moderate winds.
2. Knows about keelboat rigs and equipment.
3. Can sail a compass course.
4. Knows the Collision Regulations
5. Knows about sources of pilotage information, and how to use them.
6. Can gybe reach to reach with spinnaker (optional)
7. Can beat within a corridor.
8. Can tie a bowline and heat seal rope ends.
9. Can reef afloat.
10. Can interpret weather forecasts.
11. Knows about, points of sailing, buoyage, lee shores, overhead power lines, anchors, boat maintenance.
12. Knows about tides, sources of information and how to calculate local tides.
13. Is aware of emergency procedures and First Aid afloat
14. Plus level 1 criteria
Skills and knowledge required for a Keelboat Level 3
1.Can sail a keelboat in strong winds.
2.Competent at man overboard procedure.
3.Can demonstrate crew organisation, to perfect manoeuvres.
4.Can detect wind shifts.
5.Can equip and maintain a keelboat.
6.Knows what to do in the event of a stranding.
7.Can plan a passage.
8.Can demonstrate an alternative means of propulsion.
9.Can mark round accurately
10.Is able to start at the correct end of the line
11.Can cover and lee bow another keelboat
12.Can determine local weather patterns and wind strategy
13.Knows Sailing Instructions and the Racing Rules of Sailing.
14.Plus levels 1 & 2 criteria
NOTE: The ISSA standards are written in the form of competences, they are generic, and for guidance only. They exist in order to provide a simple method by which sailing certificates can be compared, to give guidance to organisations developing new certification schemes, and to establish standards for teaching and safety in sailing schools.