Eligibility and Priority Criteria.

Serving personnel, reserve forces on duty and UOTC students on duty who are medically fit are eligible to use JSASTC facilities in accordance with single service regulations. The following criteria will be applied when allocating places on courses and expeditions and for the allocation of STVs to Units or Commands:

In all cases, priority will be given in the following order:
Regular Services Personnel
Reserve Forces Personnel
University and other Units.

The following rank criteria is also used:

Leading Rates/Corporals

Junior Officers

Corporals/Junior Technicians

Petty Officers/Sergeants

Further details may be found in JSP419

Those with less than 2 years of military service remaining will receive the lowest priority.

Priority for places on courses for Coastal Skipper and above will be given to candidates who show a proven record of participation in service adventure sail training.

Subject to single service regulations, MOD Civilians, and exceptionally non MOD Civilians, may also participate in adventurous sail training courses and exercises. All applications for civilians are to be forwarded for approval to the appropriate single service AT authority, copy to JSASTC. Non MOD civilians who are authorised must also comply with the conditions laid down in DCI(JS) 7/97. Civilians must have a standard of medical fitness which is at least as good as that of members of the Armed Forces.

Costs:

STVs on Course

There are no charges imposed for the use of JSASTC STV. All marina and mooring fees incurred during courses are funded by JSASTC. Crews may be expected to contribute to a fund for "messing extras".

STVs Operating Locally.

There are no charges imposed for the use of JSASTC STV. However, all marina and mooring fees incurred during expeditions must be met in full by trainees. Crews may also be expected to contribute to a fund for "messing extras". The estimated average cost per person per week for STV based at JSASTC is £15.

Overseas Expeditions.

Crews are normally required to meet all mooring charges, and incidental extra messing whenever possible individual charges should not exceed £15 per head per week for this purpose.

Travel:

The cost of travel is payable in accordance with BR 4024 Art 0263 for RN, RAAC para 0401 for Army and QR(RAF) Chap 37 for RAF personnel. However, crew members are usually expected to contribute towards the costs of air fares to and from the UK.

Skippers:

JSASTC can provide skippers for expeditions, if suitably qualified service personnel are not available. However, expedition sponsors will be required to meet some costs. Early liaison with JSASTC is advised.

Rations.

Authorities arranging expeditions are required to provide rations or CILOR for all crew members.

References:

Service instructions and guidance on Adventurous Sail Training (Offshore) are contained in the following publications and must be read in conjunction with these instructions:

Royal Navy BR 4024 Chap 6 (RN)
AGAI VOL 1 Chap 11(ARMY)
AP3342 PART 6 (RAF)
All three services 2009DIN01-050 (all more recent update) -Insurance for Adventurous Training Activities


Administrative Instructions for Courses
Return of Service.

Yachtmaster Cruising Instructor. Having gained this qualification, individuals are expected to assist JSASTC by volunteering to teach CC/DS courses.

Yachtmaster Instructors. Subsequent to their national qualification course, all instructors must teach successfully on two courses at a recognised teaching establishment before obtaining the RYA instructor endorsement on their yachtmaster certificate.

Examiners. Examiners qualified at JSASTC are required to undertake 3 examinations for JSASTV or any recognised Service teaching establishment before receiving the formal RYA endorsement.

Nic 55/CH67 Skippers. On qualifying, skippers are required to do one week adventurous sail training in command of a Nic 55/CH67 every 3 years. If a period of more than 3 years elapses between trips, the qualification lapses, and refamiliarisation/reassessment will be required.

Candidates for Coastal Skipper courses and Yachtmaster Offshore assessments must be able to produce a passport size photograph for presentation to their Examiner. Photographs must be signed with the persons name in block capitals on the reverse. A passport photograph is also required by those taking the SRC test, subsequently it will be affixed to the certificate.

Applications for Courses
Applications for courses are to be made through Units direct to JSASTC.
All bids for courses will be acknowledged by JSASTC. Allocation of places on courses will normally be made six weeks prior to the start of the course, and units will be informed whether or not their applicants have been successful. Bids for courses received after the closing date will be considered if places remain available.

Joining and Leaving
Joining Instructions will be sent to the applicants line manager with detailed instructions for each trainee.

All qualification courses end on the last day of the dates specified and trainee can normally expect to be released by about midday on that day.

Instructors and Examiners at JSASTC
The Requirement. There is a often a need for Service Instructors and Examiners to assist JSASTC to conduct qualification training. In addition to helping JSASTC, instructing is rewarding and invaluable to the yachtmaster in consolidating his/hers own skills.

JSASTC organises RYA Examiner, Instructor & Cruising Instructor courses in conjunction with the RYA as required throughout the year. These qualifications are required to be updated every five years.

Examiner candidates should have ten years experience as yachtmasters and have an Instructor endorsement. Instructor candidates must be Yachtmaster Offshore Cruising Instructors with five years experience. There are normally two examiner courses each year and four Instructor courses.

Individuals with the required credentials, who are regular Adventure Sail Trainers and who actively support JSASTC should apply direct to the training department.

Cruising Instructor Candidates must be Yachtmasters Offshore with a Commercial Endorsement and proof of first aid training.

Administrative Instructions for Expeditions
Planning
The planning of Adventurous Sail Training exercises is the responsibility of the Command or unit bidding for the STV, although JSASTC staff will always be pleased to advise and assist. Charts and pilot books from the JSASTC library can be made available to Project Officers for planning purposes but they may not be taken away from the establishment. Project Officers should start planning well in advance and establish an early liaison with JSASTC - 2 years ahead is not too early for the planning of a major expedition.

Application for an STV.
JSASTC will be pleased to receive bids for STV at any time during the year. To avoid disappointment, and to facilitate planning, applications should, where possible, be forwarded to reach JSASTC at least three months in advance.

Applications must be countersigned by the Officer Commanding the bidding Unit, confirming that, if an STV is made available, the Unit will not cancel the proposed expedition other than for unforeseen operational commitments.

PLEASE NOTE:

JSASTC staff cannot book accommodation at Fort Blockhouse for personnel on courses.  To book you must contact the accommodation office with your Rank, Service number and dates required on 9380 65807 or 02392 765807.  You may be required to fax a copy of your joining instructions to confirm course allocation. If you have a yacht booked and require accommodation, it is the skippers responsibility to arrange accommodation.