The Bluewater Cruising Association (BCA) and NauticEd [1] have forged a mutually beneficial partnership that offers substantial benefits to BCA members, particularly those embarking on offshore cruising for the first time. This collaboration aligns with the BCA’s mission of providing educational resources and fostering a community of responsible, well-prepared sailors. The partnership leverages NauticEd’s structured, online sailing education platform to complement the BCA’s practical, experiential approach to bluewater cruising.
Enhanced Sailing Education
The primary advantage of this partnership is the enhanced access to comprehensive sailing education for BCA members. NauticEd offers a diverse range of online courses, spanning from fundamental sailing theory to advanced celestial navigation and weather forecasting. These courses are meticulously structured and self-paced, enabling BCA members to establish a solid foundation of knowledge prior to attending BCA seminars or embarking on their voyages. This is particularly advantageous for those transitioning from coastal to offshore sailing as the curriculum addresses the unique challenges associated with extended voyages, such as managing a vessel offshore, long-distance communications, and emergency procedures.
For instance, a prospective bluewater cruiser could enroll in NauticEd’s Skipper Course to reinforce their theoretical understanding of topics such as sail trim, anchoring, and docking. Subsequently, they could supplement this with a specialized course, such as the Ocean Passagemaking Course, which covers subjects directly pertinent to the BCA’s focus, including passage planning, watchkeeping, and heavy weather management strategies. This integrated learning approach—combining NauticEd’s online theory with the BCA’s practical seminars and experienced mentorship—develops a robust educational framework.
Certification and Recognition
Another key benefit of this partnership is the opportunity for formal certification that is recognized globally. NauticEd’s sailing courses and certifications are based on internationally accepted standards, such as those from the International Sailing Schools Association (ISSA). This provides BCA members with a verifiable and recognized credential that can be useful for chartering a boat abroad or demonstrating competence to insurance companies and port authorities. While the BCA’s informal mentorship and seminars are invaluable, the formal certification from NauticEd adds a layer of professional legitimacy to a sailor’s skill set.
This certification can be particularly advantageous for couples or partners who are learning to sail together. Each individual can work towards their own certification, ensuring both are competent and prepared for the responsibilities of offshore cruising. This shared competence fosters a safer and more confident partnership at sea.
Cost Savings and Member Value
The partnership also delivers tangible financial benefits to the BCA. Through the collaboration, NauticEd offers two free courses for new students. BCA receives a commission on additional courses and is linked to the NauticEd site which will provide more click through traffic to the BCA site. We can also advertise our adventures such as VICE via their site. This makes high-quality sailing education more accessible and affordable, while raising BCA’s profile to hopefully attract more new members.
BCA enhances its value proposition to its members. It is not just a social club or a series of seminars; it is a resource hub that actively helps members acquire the necessary skills and credentials for fulfilling their cruising dreams cost-effectively. This strengthens the BCA community by attracting and retaining members who are serious about their cruising goals.
NOTE: it is important for BCA members to click through to the NauticEd site via the NauticEd ad that shows either in Currents or in the bottom right corner of the BCA home page [2]. By doing so, NauticEd registers courses taken as being via the BCA.
In conclusion, the Bluewater Cruising Association’s partnership with NauticEd is a strategic and mutually beneficial relationship. It provides BCA members with enhanced educational opportunities, formal and globally recognized certification, and significant cost savings. This collaboration strengthens the BCA’s commitment to creating knowledgeable and prepared sailors, ensuring their members are well-equipped to undertake the challenges and joys of bluewater cruising with confidence and competence.