Safety & Sea Survival Refresher Course Participant Information

The ORCV SSSC Refresher Course is provided in two parts.

Part 1 – Theory : Online Self-Paced Learning

Soon after booking your course with us, you will receive an email with a link to Part 1 – Theory online so you can commence your course. Your online learning is self-paced, however you must have completed and passed the exam before attending Part 2 – Practical.

An assessment paper must be passed to an 80% threshold and competencies demonstrated before the theoretical component of the course is considered complete.

Part 2 – Practical : Wet Drill, Flare Shoot and Incident Review

It is important that you carefully read the following information well in advance of attending the practical session.

We recommend that you prepare for this course as you would for an ocean voyage and have an early night the day before and avoid alcohol consumption.

A light lunch will be served on the day and tea/coffee will be available.

Group Discussion

• Please bring a notepad and pen and be prepared to contribute examples of your own past sailing experiences and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s). In the group session our instructors and participants share experiences and focus on important lessons learned from recent incidents.
• Please also bring your completed Refresher Incident Worksheet (part of the online theory component) for the group discussion.

Flare Shoot

• Closed shoes must be worn.
• Flares, gloves and protective eye wear will be provided.
• If you have long hair, please bring a hair tie and ensure it is secured for the flare shoot.

Pool Wet Drill

The Wet Drill takes place in a heated pool at Wesley College.

Please bring along the following items:

• Full ocean clothing comprising of inner thermal layer, mid layer and outer ocean wet weather gear layer.
• Sea boots. If you do not have sea boots or never wear them while ocean sailing, replicate the footwear you would normally wear when ocean sailing.
• Lifejacket compliant with current standards. If you do not have a Lifejacket and cannot borrow one from someone, ORCV have a limited supply that must be booked in advance via emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and advising us of your requirement.
• Crotch strap
• Towel

If inflating your lifejacket manually, please remove the gas bottle.

Wash all clothing including wet weather gear beforehand and empty all pockets.

It is recommended that you ensure all items are labelled with your name so you can be notified if you’ve left them on site.

Should you not have a life jacket, we do have a small number that can be hired.  Please note, there is a charge which is non refundable (should you not attend) which covers replacement of our loan gear.  Book and show your ticket at the course.  There is a limited number so reservations are required here https://www.trybooking.com/CHCMP  

Additional Course Information

• Wesley College Location, Registration and Classrooms

• Full Course Content

 

Wesley Location and What to Bring

What to Bring

Theory:

• Notebook and pens.
• Electronic Device and adequate battery/charging devices.
• 2021-2024 Special Regulations Part 1 keelboats please save the PDF on your phone, tablet or computer
• Examples of current Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) used on vessels you have set to sea on, as well as experiences to share with other attendees.

Pool Wet Drill :

• Full ocean clothing ideally comprising of three-layers (inner thermal layer, mid-layer and outer ocean wet weather gear layer) & sea boots, if you don't wear boots in the ocean bring what you wear instead
• Wash all clothing including wet weather gear beforehand and empty all pockets. Please do NOT bring Dye Marker.
• Lifejacket (PFD) is compliant with current standards, please consult the AS Special Regulations for currency and compliance. If you don’t have a PFD, we have limited numbers available for hire for a small non-refundable fee. Book your PFD before the course to ensure availability. Show your ticket at the course to collect your loan PFD.  Book via this link https://www.trybooking.com/CHCMP

If inflating your PFD manually, please remove the gas bottle and small plastic clip prior.

Life jackets MUST have a crotch strap attached.

Flare Drill Practical

From a safety aspect, it is highly recommended that you wear closed-toed shoes for the flare shoot and throughout the full course.

For those with long hair, please tie hair back during the flare drill.

Gloves and protective eyewear for the flare drill will be provided and must be worn.

Other Preparation

We recommend that you prepare for this course as you would for an ocean voyage, and suggest you have an early night the day before and avoid alcohol consumption.

A light lunch will be provided.

It is recommended that you ensure all items are labelled with your name so you can be notified if you have left them on site.

Wesley College Information

Wesley College, 577 St. Kilda Road, Melbourne. Click here for Google Maps location pin.

• Enter via the pedestrian gate situated on Moubray Street (gate 1 or 2)
• Make your way to the Middle School (near item 11 in the MENZIES wing on the map below) for registration
• The pool is located at the Senior School.
• The flare shoot is typically conducted on the front turf area.

See below map for Campus and entrance location.

Parking

There is no parking available at Wesley College and parking in the area is limited. Please allow enough time to find a car park. Moubray Street is a great starting point.

Public Transport

It is highly recommended that public transport is used. Tram stops are located on St. Kilda Road and Prahran station on the Sandringham line is close by. Visit https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/journey to plan your trip.

Wesley College Guidelines

We ask that you adhere to the guidelines required of us by Wesley College for use of their facility.

• No food is allowed in classrooms
• No alcohol is allowed on the premises
• Smoking is not permitted on the premises either within the buildings or on the grounds.
• Parking on the grass is strictly prohibited.

 

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Members in the Spotlight - Spring

Rain Forbes

ORCV chatted with our youngest member, Rain Forbes, about what kindled her passion for sailing, how she started ocean racing and what are her aspirations for the sailing journey ahead.

During our conversation, the seventeen-year-old sailor could not stop smiling! When asked about her first-ever ocean race, Rain’s eyes lit up immediately. “I’ve never seen such big waves”, “I loved it” and “It was awesome” were all phrases used by Rain, as she slipped back into the moment. Rain’s passion for sailing is absolutely evident.

In addition to sharing her inspiring spirit and incredibly friendly personality, Rain is also a very mature teenager who understand the importance of getting experience before she could pursue her dream of one day sailing around the world. She decided to look to build her working life around her passion – sailing. Rain started through teaching and has recently joined North Sails as an apprentice.

Please, join ORCV as we learn more about what keeps our youngest member ticking!

ORCV: Tell us how you’ve found inspiration? Who are the key people in the sailing world you’ve looked up to and are following?
RAIN: I’ve read widely including Kay Cottie, Jessie Martin and Pete Gos – all inspirational. During lockdown last year I read Jessica Watson’s book which has really inspired me to follow my sailing goal, grow my independence and one day sail around the world. As soon as I’m ready, it would be awesome to do it and provide inspiration for others like me!

Presently I’m focusing on gaining experience and meeting people. I used to not know a lot, but having completed my Safety and Sea Survival and recently joining the Vertigo crew, I got to gain keelboat experience and will continue to look to build from here.

ORCV: Rain, you grew up in Bendigo, a long way from the bay or oceans, how did you discover a passion for sailing? What is your current work and study path?
RAIN: After a “moment” at a garage sale, my dad and I headed to a local sailing school at Lake Eppalock. It wasn’t until I gained by Assistant Instructors qualification at 12 years old, however, that I really fell in love with sailing. Then, teaching led me toward gaining my full instructors' certification, which was the best decision I’ve made!
After finishing Year 10, I was too distracted with the thoughts of sailing. I applied and was offered a position as a dinghy instructor in Melbourne. At sixteen, I was still living at home in Bendigo and travelled back and forth by train to Melbourne to work as a sailing instructor. I had lots of time to learn and be inspired with, sometimes, 5 books on the go all at once!
When I look back at my friends, who have lowered their expectations on school subjects, aren’t attending school or engaged with it... I still feel that it was the right decision to pursue sailing. My new direction is providing me with that great level of independence and – wow! – I’ve met some amazing people in the sailing world. I couldn’t have done this without my parents’ support, they give me the freedom to carve my own path.

ORCV: What’s your dream?
RAIN: As a 17-year-old, I’ve got a lot to learn and want to learn everything there is about sailing with a dream that one day to sail around the world.

ORCV: Tell us about your first ocean experience sailing the Coastal Sprint on Vertigo.
RAIN: I was so seasick, but I loved every minute of it!

ORCV: Rain’s large brimming smile clearly demonstrated the excitement of it all. In addition to a strong passion, Rain is also a quick learner.
RAIN: I’m prepared now for my next race to Apollo Bay and will manage the seasickness, add to my kit some thermals and better-wet weather gear. Being cold is horrible but keeping warm and being inside isn’t what I’m doing this for. I want to see the waves and dolphins and be part of the team.

ORCV: Since we first interviewed Rain, she has taken on an apprenticeship with North Sails and is “soaking” it all up and is known to talk passionately about her learning with each day being an “awesome” experience. Rain recently shared with us an update on her experience.

ORCV: What experiences have you had since we last chatted?
RAIN: Between instructing and regular training to enter the AWKR (Australian Women’s Keelboat Regatta), I was fortunate enough to crew in the ORCV’S Apollo Bay and Blairgowrie races. Both were epic experiences and provided their own learning opportunities.
A tactical challenge and really getting to know my fellow crew members were great in the gentle run down to Apollo Bay, whilst the Blairgowrie race saw us sailing in some exciting conditions!
I’ve also recently taken on an apprenticeship trial with North Sails. I’m shocked at how much I’m enjoying it and alarmingly, it’s something I might stick with! Aaron and Victoria have been fantastic with all their support, in and out of the loft.
Huge news! I moved out of home on my 17th birthday, close to work in Sandringham. It’s very different to home, I’ve swapped the bush for the beach! It’s been tricky settling in with lockdown, but I’ve joined the Sandringham Yacht Club and have my dinghy there ready to go.

ORCV: What have you learnt about Ocean Racing and its community?
RAIN: I’ve learnt a crazy amount being a bowman whilst ocean racing. Simple stuff to do with set-up and trimming of sails was a whole new world. Falling into the flow of how everything works have been so cool!
I’ve learnt that a person’s attitude aboard and on the dock is really important. Reliable, prepared, and positive people are valuable assets when ocean racing. I’ve found we become a more proactive crew and give back to the team when in an uplifting environment.
My mind has been blown away by the ocean racing community. Many accommodating and friendly people gave me a leg up and welcomed me with open arms. Sharing a passion for sailing has led to making some true friends that I look up to. Joining the ORCV has been life-changing.

ORCV: What are you looking forward to next?
RAIN: I’m itching to discover and make the most of the sailing in Melbourne once lockdown ends. I’m excited to see where North Sails will take me. I’m really looking forward to all the future ocean racing and meeting everyone who is a part of it!
Shout out to team Vertigo! Clare and Tim Olding, Olga Kostochka and the Dunoon’s! Y’all ROCK!!!

ORCV: If we could all take some attitude and inspiration from Rain, the world would be amazing. We wish her all the best and are excited to see her progress on an incredible journey ahead.

(below The conditions may not be ideal but you can always see Rain’s smile. Photo: Tim Olding)

 

 

Crew Compliance

With larger fleets and more crew, there will be greater reliance on skippers and crew co-ordinators to follow up on missing crew data.  We can all help by checking our own data.

The ORCV utilises three external databases during the course of our racing and/or training events. Please check and update your information and prepare for the upcoming races.

1. Top Yacht – for sailor profiles to check crew compliance for our races.
2. Australian Sailing Revolutionise Sport – for ORCV membership, Australian Sailing accredited Safety Sea and Survival Certification and checking Australian Sailing Numbers and that your crew are members.
3. Australian Maritime Safety Authority – for checking Personal Locator Beacon Registrations.

To update your Topyacht Sailors Profile - please click here 

 

Check your Top Yacht Information

ORCV encourage all our offshore category 2 and 3 race crew to keep their Top Yacht profiles up to date with current contact information, sailing experience and ensure all necessary information required for crew compliance is complete in your Top Yacht My Self profile. We’ve written a guide on how to access and update your Top Yacht profile for ORCV races. 

Check Your Australian Sailing Contact Information

When you become a member of an Australian Sailing Affiliated Club you are registered in the national system, are set up with an online profile and receive an Australian Sailing Number.

ORCV recommend all our members, crew and training participants, log in to your mySailor profile with Australian Sailing and check your details are correct.

Keeping this information up to date will assist when trying to register for an Australian Sailing Accredited course such as ORCV’s Safety & Sea Survival Course (SSS).  It is the crews responsibilty to update their SSS on their Topyacht profile.

When you land on the mySailor Login page you will find useful information to assist you to access your profile. If you are having difficulty logging in, click here to go through to Australian Sailing Number Help page.

If you are still unable to log in to check your details (often the case if you no longer have access to the email address in your profile), click here to email Australian Sailing for further assistance.Check

Your Australian Sailing Number

To check your Australian Sailing number, your number’s active status or if you have multiple Australian Sailing numbers, click here.

Fill in the First name and Last name fields only to see if you have multiple Australian Sailing numbers.

If you are a member of more than one club, you should see all your current organisations listed under your Australian Sailing number when you click the INFO button to the right of your name.

If you are a current member of a club and cannot find your Australian Sailing number, your number is listed as ‘inactive’, or you have more than one Australian Sailing number please either contact your club directly or message Australian Sailing here.

Check your PLB Registration Status

Each crew member is required to carry a registered Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) during a Category 2 race. Your PLB HEX ID must be included in your Top Yacht MY Sailor Profile for your boat to be compliant. ORCV does a currency check of all PLB’s as part of our crew compliance check.

Check your PLB registration status here

Register your beacon or update your beacon details here

 

ORCV Knowledge Webinars

We invite ORCV members to join our trainers for some informal tutorials and discussion webinars.  Each webinar will start at 8pm with a quick instructor led tutorial before opening the remainder of the session to questions and discussions and will run for no longer than 60mins.

Registration is required.

These sessions are open to only ORCV members and are complimentary.  Support the ORCV and Join as a member to immediately join us on these webinars to continue to learn. 

2022 NEW SESSIONS.....

In 2022, these will continue with a special series of Boat Owners’ Webinars being added to the program.

This series will cover a range of topics of interest to any boat owner from sail storage and maintenance, to plumbing matters, to electrical matters to name a few.

Monday 21st February 2022 8pm

We will kick off the series at the beginning… the boat purchase! The first Boat Owners’ Forum will host guest speakers Matt Fahey\ and Monica Jones. 

Matt Fahey has been a competitive ocean sailor for 15 years. Matt will share his experience of purchasing his boat, Faster Forward, his first boat which he purchased 3 years ago. He will share his learnings from this process

Monica is a well known sailor and skipper, who has won many awards. She is an experienced boat owner and will share her experiences of these ventures.

So if your New Years’ Resolution is to fulfil on your dream of becoming a boat owner or upgrading to a new boat in line with your silting goals, this webinar is for you. 

This webinar will offer the following learning outcomes:

• A better understanding of important considerations before making a boat purchase;
• A better understanding of the process of purchasing a boat;
• A better understanding of the ongoing commitments and considerations for boat owners;

Please join us for this, and future webinars in this series. If you have a boat owner’s query that you would like to see discussed in this series, please email your question/issue to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Registration is open to ORCV Members complimentary and at a low cost for non members - with registration required.

 

 

PRIOR SESSIONS......

Monday 22nd November 2021 - 8pm Melb Time

Understanding Special Regulations

Safety has always been and continues to be a prime consideration in all of the ORCV sailing events. The Australian Sailing Special Regulations outline the requirements of the boat, its equipment and its crew that support safer sailing.

• What are the Special Regulations and how are they determined?
• What have been the key recent changes to the Special Regulations?
• What changes might we see in the future?

Speaker:   Ray Shaw has been sailing for over 40 years, mostly in keel boats, in Australia, Europe and North America. He is currently the Chairman of the Australian Sailing National Safety Committee, the body that oversees the Australia Sailing safety program including the Special Regulations.

 

Monday 29th November 2021 - 8pm Melb Time

Managing Sea sickness

• What is sea sickness
• What you should do in the lead up to the event
• When should you take medication
• Finding the right medication for you
• If you forget your medication and you are now sick what do you take
• What should you eat and drink when you are sick.
• Recognising the early signs of sea sickness.
• What items make managing sea sickness easier on a boat.

Speaker:  Dr Simon Bell

Tuesday 5th October 2021 at 8pm (AEST)

How to get the most of out of Predictwind 

Have you ever wondered why some boats are faster than you in the ocean?  Learn how Predictwind can help you put your boat in the right place.

This webinar will cover:

• How to setup routing planning
• Using boat polars
• Accuracy of the 8 weather models
• How to sail a route
• Using Predictwind during the race.

Speaker:  Simon Dryden has been ocean racing for 40 years and sailing smarter has been his passion. So if you have the fastest boat and the best crew and you are in the wrong place, you won't win.

2021 Webinars Predictwind Offer

2021 PredictWind knowledge seminar links

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Tuesday 12th October 2021 at 8pm (AEST)

Building a Winning Team

Martin will lead this webinar on the following ideas for crew selection and improving skills.

• Knowledge vs Competency/Skill (know something vs do something)
• “Why” before “How”
• Fast tracking learning the language (terminology and jargon)
• Learning pathway – hearing/reading it, seeing it, doing it, mastering it
  • Understanding individual differences
  • Aptitude (some people “get it” faster than others, some never “get it”)
  • Strength and agility
  • Balance and resistance to motion sickness
• Focus on role based skills, eg main trimmer vs jib/spinnaker trimmer vs bow vs pit (focus on subset of all the skills and knowledge)
• Realistic expectations and ability to make mistakes
• Consistency of approach (introducing the need for integrated, standardised procedures)

Speaker:   Martin Vaughan has been sailing for almost 30 years, half of them as skipper and many of them double handed. Professionally, he has a keen interest in adult training and skills development. Bringing together both of those passions, Martin will lead a focused discussion on crew training.

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Monday 18th October 2021 at 8pm (AEST)

Navionics the Basics

How can Navionics help you?  This is a fantastic product for route planning, come and learn how.

• Setting up Navionics for your boat
• Chart Layers
• Selecting the right overlay
• Advanced Map Options
• Adding waypoints
• Route planning using
• Dock-to-dock Autorouting 
• GPX export
• Plotter Sync
• Weather Tides and Currents
• How to use Navionics at sea
• Add your boats AIS to Navionics

Speaker:  Simon Dryden has been ocean racing for 40 years and sailing smarter has been his passion. So if you have the fastest boat and the best crew and you are in the wrong place, you won't win.

 

 

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Monday 25th October 2021 at 8pm (AEST)

Navigator Preparation

Navigation preparation for races and cruises.  We look at the Navigators role  where most of the hard work is done before the start

• Reviewing race documents
• Weather, tides, currents (Year Book)
• Passage planning: bolt holes and Positions of Interest along or near route
• Navigation Bible

Speaker:  Neville Rose is multi skilled including a Yachtmaster Offshore, Safety and Sea Survival Instructor certification, ORCV instructor and ORCV Life member and has sailed over 40,000nm in 10 different countries, often as the navigator.

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