Intermediate (Offshore) Marine Weather

Forecasting and withstanding weather conditions are major aspects of cruising under sail and power, whether riding it out offshore, seeking safety in a protected anchorage, or avoiding being too close to a lee shore.

This two day workshop, taught by Scott Crawshaw, a renowned mariner, instructor and former BCA member, begins with the fundamentals of weather (see Basic Weather Forecasting) and shows how weather satellites and technology have transformed forecasting to show cruisers the best way to combine their own observations with technology. Participants will learn relevant information that will ensure their enjoyment and safety at sea in both foul and fair weather.

Scott’s delivery of this course in Victoria in 2016 received the highest rating by far of any past VI Education offering in the last five years in terms of content; relevance; instructor presentation, and an increased feeling of competence among participants. Over 95% of the participants rated Scott’s workshops 5 out of 5!

Course Topics

• Anti-Cyclones
•  Swell and Sea Waves
•  Surface Water Circulation
• Upper Air Charts and Satellite Imagery
• Gaps and Promontory Winds
• Tropical and Sub-Tropical Weather
• Tropical Cyclone Formation and Avoidance
• Voyage Planning

Bonus:  Intermediate weather also includes practical exercises, including a virtual Victoria to Maui transit where students will plot their positions, review weather products and determine the best tactics / weather routing.

Instructor

Scott Crawshaw has sailed for over 40 years and has over 50,000 miles of ocean water experience.  This includes skippering the Royal Canadian Navy’s Tall Ship, HMCS Oriole and four years of offshore sailing with his family aboard the sailing vessel Peregrinata.  His qualifications include a Transport Canada Master Mariner, unlimited tonnage; a Navy Surface Command Qualification, unlimited tonnage; an ISPA instructor qualification. Scott has a degree in Physics and Physical Oceanography from Royal Roads Military College, and is a recipient of the CYA Yachtmaster Ocean award. He currently resides in the UK with his wife Sonia, where he is filling an exchange position with the Royal Navy until summer 2018.