University of California, Irvine Campus Recreation

UCISA – SHIELDS 1 RATING CHECKLIST

Shields 1 Skipper Rating allows UCISA member use of UCI Shields in main channels of Newport Harbor (day/evening), and to bell buoy at harbor entrance (daytime only). Failure to observe rules may result in suspended or lost rating!

Before taking the written exam, candidate must: 1. Have a UCISA Lido Skipper Rating. 2. Be a current paid UCISA Lido Skipper member. 3. Know and be willing to follow all UCI Program Rules and Policies.

Before taking the practical exam, candidate must: 1. Have passed and reviewed the written test. 2. "On the water" tutoring required before final practical rating test. 3. Questions/RSVP for practical test, email: [email protected].

Getting Started 1. Proper shoes and clothing for skipper and crew. 2. Know tide and weather conditions for that day. (Weather: 949-675-0503). Limit for UCI Shields is 18 knots. Shields should be reefed at 15 knots or gusty. 3. Carry knife, pliers, screwdriver, duct tape, horn/whistle, flashlight, running lights. Small first aid kit, water, hat, jacket, and sunscreen recommended. 4. Life Jackets: the Coast Guard requires "a life jacket for each person aboard". UCI highly recommends a wearable vest for all people aboard and have everyone wear while sailing. Children 11 years and under must wear lifejacket at all times. 5. Rules regarding sign out: i. Location of Log Book ii. How far in advance - 10 days iii. Shields can be reserved one day per weekend. iv. Length of grace period for reservations = 30 minutes v. Canceling reservations: not required, but recommended vi. available for personal use. "Mabry" can not be reserved ahead of time. 6. Check log for any repairs needed, sign-out , lock dock box and turn dials. 7. Know the schedules: sailing classes, and club events have priority over personal boat use. Check the bulletin board, dockmaster or instructor, and see: www.sailingclub.net

Terminology and Concepts 1. Wind: True vs apparent, shifts, lifts, headers, lulls and puffs. 2. Controls: function of , , , boomvang, , . 3. Steerageway, momentum, turning radius, response time to movement of the tiller. 4. Sailing by the lee, wing and wing, accidental . 5. Jury , breaking.

Navigation 1. Shoal areas in the bay - marked and unmarked. 2. Currents and tides, their effect on making way. 3. Buoy system. "Red - Right - Returning". 4. Small craft warning: where displayed, what it looks like and what it means. 5. Navigation lights on the West jetty, East jetty and bell buoy.

Must Know 1. UCISA rules - know thoroughly. 2. Sailing after dark. 3. Emergency procedures and jury rigging. 4. Proper towing lines to use. 5. Running aground. 6. Heavy weather - adjustments and sailing techniques, sailing with jib alone. 7. Knots: bowline, bend, square, figure-eight, clove, and half-hitch.

Accident Procedure/Breakage 1. First, check that everyone is OK. 2. What information to collect from the other party: CF#, name, address, phone numbers of boat operator and owner, location of boat's dock, name of boat. 3. What to do if over $250 or if anyone is injured. 4. Always call the UCI sailing office at Campus Recreation (949-824-7592). 5. Call Harbor Patrol if injury or large damage.

Right of Way Rules 1. Avoid a collision and proper lookout a must. 2. Sail vs. power and sail vs. sail. 3. Opposite tacks, windward/leeward, overtaking, hailing, keep clear, searoom. 4. Rules regarding boats towing, paddle and rowing craft, Federal Navigation Channel.

Attitude 1. Courtesy towards all other boaters, and the Newport Harbor Community. 2. Must be willing to care for boats and equipment in a safe and conscientious manner. 3. Volunteer participation and support for the program is encouraged!

Rigging the boat 1. Take off cover and stow below, check bilge and empty if needed. 2. Check condition of and look over boat in general. 3. Inspect safety equipment: lifejackets (1 per person and throwable in cockpit), bailer, anchor with line coiled, bilge pump, paddle and 3 visual distress signals (flares). 4. : clear & attach halyard, slugs into , proper furling, battens protected. 5. Jib: clear & secure , , attach jib, halyard, sheets, fairleads set.

Raising (not in slip) 1. Proper boat vs. wind direction/placement: consider and discuss all wind conditions and dock locations and how to adjust to these conditions. Also consider location of larger boats blocking and overhanging docks. There may even be a situation where it is not safe to get the Shields out of the dock due to congestion at the docks. 2. Explain how to get boats to end of dock including across for southerly conditions. 3. Raising the main: release downhaul, reefing lines, boomvang, and mainsheet. 4. No handle on main. One wrap initial hoist, halyard fills drum no overlaps. 5. Check main hoisted all the way, lift to assist. Halyard secure, coil, and stow. 6. Backstay tension and explanation of use. 7. Mainsail adjustments: downhaul, outhaul, boomvang and explanation of their use. 8. Jib hoisting, using winch, proper tension, cleat and stow halyard.

Leaving the Dock 1. Check traffic clear and wind direction is still the same. 2. Correct departure: a. Mainsheet eased and sail out all the way, backwind main if required. b. Jib backwinded if needed. c. Stern clear as boat turns to leave docking area. d. Give forward push and out as needed. e. Tiller centered. f. Once initially launched, start sailing and adjust sails for new . 3. Steerage way and using sails to steer (windward and leeward helm). 4. No collisions with dock or other boats leaving or returning to slips. 5. Proper stowing of docklines and fenders once you are out and clear in the channel. 6. Proper lookout at all times.

Sailing: The most important part of the test. Candidate must demonstrate competence in handling boat in all situations. Must be efficient and aware of boat, sail trim, wind and traffic at all times as well as proper concern for safety of crew. Must be able to give clear instructions to novice crew. 1. Sailing on a short course include windward/leeward and jibing. Repeat several times with close mark rounding, quick reactions to course changes with proper sail trim. 2. Sailing to weather should be consistently "on the wind". Feather up on puffs, easing main sheet as required to prevent excessive heeling. 3. Sailing off the wind. Know where wind is. Not "by the lee." Proper controlled jibes. 4. Sphere of awareness: avoiding traffic, not too close to obstructions and general ability to sail safely. Handling jib sheets/, undoing overrides, cleating. 5. Stopping at the mark and man overboard. Head-to-wind approach with S-turns, main backwinded if needed; luffing approach at close reach, and quick stop method. 6. Sailing without using sails only, including tacking. 7. Knowledge of mooring areas and how to sail through if necessary.

Reefing 1. Demonstration of quick reef method - able to reef and shake out the reef under way. 2. Knowledge of when to reef. Shields should be reefed at 15 knots or gusty.

Anchoring 1. Anchor check before departure and have ready to be used. 2. Anchor in cockpit, line lead outside shrouds, bowline around mast, cleated at bow. 3. Choosing proper anchoring location allowing for ample room for swing. 4. Boat luffed, mainsail lowered, anchor lowered at proper time. 5. Know scope, proper drop of anchor in relation to wind and obstructions. 6. Anchor secured, check that anchor is holding properly. 7. Anchor raised and making way under sail. 8. Proper storage and clean up while underway and after returning to dock.

Docking 1. Preparation of docklines and fenders. 2. Never dock Shields with sails up or come into Sailbase docking area with sails up. 3. Location for sail drop with differing wind directions. 4. Lowering sails, main first. Proper furling of main sail, boom secured. 5. Turning boat with jib alone (ie keeping boat toward center of channel). 6. Speed control - lower jib in proper time. 7. When and where to abort if docking area is congested. 8. Stopping boat that has too much speed, S-turns, control with shrouds in slip.

Putting The Boat Away 1. Securing boat, proper placement in slip, docklines adjusted, spring lines attached. 2. Backstay eased, snug but not tight. 3. Stow halyards off mast: main end of boom, jib, , topping lift to fitting. 4. Folding sails - main flaked, battens parallel, jib folded, placed in dockbox in jib bag. 5. Coiling mainsheet and tiller tied off. 6. Thoroughly scrubbed and washed, bilge pumped and boat covered. 7. All trash removed. 8. Sign boat back in log book and note any problems with boat or sails. 9. Contact UCI Boating Director if serious problem, damage to boat or lost equipment. 10. Lock up dock boxes.

** Remember: use of UCI Shields requires a responsible attitude and a total command of the boat and complete competence in handling all basic sailing situations **

** Current class schedule at www.campusrec.uci.edu (see Outdoor Adventure, Sailing) **