Having established that there was a need for a comprehensive and serious course, covering issues relating to open sea navigation and in general, to open sea yachting, we decided to set up a school to cater for such a need. The theoretical lessons take place at a purposely-built classroom at our association's premises, while the practical lessons are done aboard our club's yachts. In our effort to standardize the school's lessons, and to demonstrate our commitment to excellence, our school has been ISO9001:2000 certified (total quality system), the only school in Cyprus to have done this.

The structure of the course
There are 30 lessons totalling 77 hours of teaching, 52 of which are theory and 25 practical aboard our club's yachts.

At the end of the lessons the students have to go through written examinations, and if successful they are certified as “competent crew and apprentice open sea yacht master” and is also issued with a personal log book.

In order for an “apprentice open sea yacht master” to become eligible for a full fledged “Open sea yacht master” he/she has to record in his/her personal log book, 2500 nautical miles of active participation in at least 50 outings, 5 of which during the night, and this within 3 years from obtaining their certificate as apprentices. In case this period is done within 4 years, then the total number of miles to be covered become 3000. Once the above is completed, the candidate will have to pass a new written examination as well as a practical examination.

The cost of the course is Cy. Pounds 400,- , 200,- of which are payable on subscription, while the balance within two weeks from starting the course.

The syllabus is as follows:
 

1.	General knowledge of the yachts main parts and their names
	Yacht stability and centre of gravity. Theory and factors that affect behaviour and stability. Ways to maintain stability. Properties of different materials from which yachts are built. Repairs and maintenance.
2.	Mechanics – How do marine engines work Terminology used in engine-rooms, and engine parts.
3.	Mechanics – How do marine engines work Terminology used in engine-rooms, and engine parts. Preparation of the main and auxiliary engines. Fault identification and fault prevention.
4.	Manoeuvring under all conditions. Anchoring, side birthing, mooring end on to quay. Anchors, type of anchors, how to chose an appropriate anchorage, untangling anchors.
5.	Ropes, knots and splices. Types of ropes and rigging, use and maintenance.
6.	International regulations on collision avoidance. Passage and priorities. Day and night signals. Right of way between sailing yachts. Simulation with model yachts.
7.	Practical lesson (*) First contact with the yacht. Demonstration of major components as taught in class. Practice using the wheel / tiller, get to feel the vessel's inertia and how wind and waves affect vessel's behaviour. Engine room.
8.	Nomenclature and use of sails. Forces, and analysis of modern sail systems. Sailing. Sail trimming, maintenance and caring of sails.
9.	Aerodynamics and hydrodynamics. Theory of sailing.
10.	Practical lesson (*) Initiation to the sails, under course, tack, jibe, goose wing, reef.
11.	Meteorology and weather forecasting. Understanding weather maps. Barometer, thermometer, hygrometer. Sources of information.
12.	Meteorology – continuation-
13.	Practical lesson: Side-birthing, mooring end on to quay
14.	Meteorology – continuation-
15.	Navigation, waypoints, compass. Mercator projection. Longitude and Latitude. Geographic and magnetic North. Deviation, variation.
16.	Navigation -continuation
17.	Navigation -continuation
18.	Maritime law
19.	Practical: Course planning, waypoints, Man-Over-Board.
20.	Navigation -continuation
21.	Navigation lights, lighthouses, marks, buoyage, etc
22.	Practical: Course, waypoints, reefing, points of sail.
23.	Use of Radar Communication at sea
24.	Search and rescue, use of rescue equipment. Survival at sea. Use of life raft during bad sea.
25.	Practical: Course planning, waypoints, Man-Over-Board.
26.	First Aid: Injury, poisoning, burns, sunstroke, cuts and abrasions.
27.	Fire prevention and fire fighting. Means available.
28.	Practical: 2 – 3 day trip
29.	Exercises and problem solving
30.	Examination

Notes:
The duration of classroom lessons last two and a half hours and practical (on yacht) last three and a half hours.