Essential Knowledge
Here is a summary of the basic knowledge you should know - and will be expected that you know - when you come to your training day alongside.
You will get most out of this day, and following days as crew, if you come prepared.
Essential Knowledge - Masts and Rigging
Port, Starboard, Fore or Forward, Aft
Mast, Forestay, Backstay, Yard, Sail, Halyard, Sheet, Clew
Clew, Clewline, Bunt, Buntline, Brace
The higher the sail the further aft the lines
Halyards alternate sides
Course; lower topsail; upper topsail; topgallant; royal;
Of the square sails, only the upper topsails, topgallants and royals have halyards on James Craig
Essential Knowledge - Working Aloft
Check harness for damage and fit correctly
Always clip on when off the deck
Do not use running rigging for hand or foot holds
Secure all objects you take aloft
and
Instructions on harness use and care
(all of these can be downloaded from the "Assessment" page under "Working Aloft" on the training website)
Essential Knowledge - Line Handling
Belaying turns go clockwise around top of pin
Capsize coil the right way when removing from pin
Essential Knowledge - Knots
Reliably tie
* Round Turn and two Half hitches
"Essential Knowledge" for Special Duties
Stern Lookout
Keep lookout on ship & outboard;
Helming
Turn wheel to side you need to turn to
Look out (only use the compass as an occasional check)
Repeat all helm orders exactly
Fire Party
The three types of fire extinguisher on board
Where and when smoking is permitted on board
Forward Lookout
Know how to use radio - press to talk, release to listen
Know how to give information clearly - no. of points port or starboard
approx. distance, what it is, what it is doing
Report everything when in open water, even if you don't know what it might be
Seaboat
Know the terms davit, lifting tackle, painter, painter pennant, fore davit guy, aft davit guy, fore bowsing line, aft bowsing line and what each one does
Berthing / Shore party
Know the names of the lines:-
Head line, Fore breast, Fore spring, Aft spring, Aft breast, Stern line
and know what each line does.