All courses will either start and finish at our base at Coral Sea Marina, Airlie Beach, or start or finish there.

A typical 5-day course will begin on a Sunday afternoon with a briefing and course familiarisation at the marina.

Basic buoyage and pilotage will be discussed prior to departure to ensure that the students recognise all markers.

Cars will be parked in a secure designated area near the marina. Parking information is sent to students with the joining instructions.

Day 1: (Monday)

On Monday morning we start with breakfast and some training in the marina pen. After a boat briefing we navigate up to Nara Inlet where we spend the first night at anchor.

Day 2: (Tuesday)

Nara inlet to butterfly bay, including a lunch stop at Hayman Island anchorage

Day 3:( Wednesday)

Butterfly Bay to Border island, anchoring in Cateran Bay or nearby Dumbbell Island mooring

Day 4: (Thursday)

Cruise to Whitehaven Beach in the morning, time out, and then night sailing to Shute Harbour for night entry / exit. Anchor at Happy Bay.

Day 5:(Friday)

From anchorage to Airlie beach.

Variations.

The schedule will be changed to suit the prevailing conditions and crew ability.

List of Ports and Marinas to be used:

Abel Point Marina

Port of Airlie Marina

Coral Sea Resort Marina

Shute Harbour

General public anchorages and moorings in Airlie Beach area

Hamilton Island Marina

Gloucester Passage and eco resort moorings

Bowen port and marina

Mackay Marina

Percy Island and all other islands within the area.

The entire area is well covered by Marine Rescue facilities and services. And we are a paid member of the Whitsunday Marine Rescue.

OPERATING OUTSIDE OF NORMAL OPERATING AREAS:

This would be in the case of some Coastal Skipper courses or mile builders.

When this happens, the course requires that a full passage plan is prepared, including ports of refuge, emergency contacts, full appraisal of the passage, and check-in points and schedules, which are monitored twice daily on shore by the “designated person ashore” or “DPA”

All charts for the East Coast are stored in the office and updated prior to the voyage (as part of the appraisal) We also have ENC charts for the areas.

We maintain current GBRMPA permits for the entire great barrier reef zone, allowing us to conduct training.

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Typical Area Of Operation for a 5 day course

Typical Area of Operation for a Northerly Coastal Skipper Course

Day 1   Airlie to Bowen (38 Nm) possible stops at Armit Island, Gloucester Island

Day 2 Bowen to Cape Bowling Green (75 Nm) Early start, possible stops Upstart Bay

Day 3 Cape Bowling Green to Magnetic Island (35Nm)

Day 4 Townsville (10Nm)

Day 5 Upstart Bay (74 Nm)

Day 6 Gloucester Island (50 Nm)

Day 7 Airlie Beach (30 Nm)

Typical Area of Operation for a Southerly Coastal Skipper Course

Day 1   Airlie to Goldsmith Island (35 Nm)

Day 2 Goldsmith Island to Scawfell (30 Nm) Early start

Day 3 Scawfell to Middle Percy (70Nm)

Day 4 Middle Percy to Mackay marina (70Nm)

Day 5 Mackay marina to Thomas Island (40 Nm)

Day 6 Thomas Island  to Airlie (35 Nm)