Sailing School: Ocean Masters Sailing Academy: Student booking confirmation sheet

Ocean Masters Sailing Academy
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Student Course Information
and general arrival information

Note: This is a copy of the three page information sheet that is sent to every student upon receipt of application and deposit.

Ft. Lauderdale's warm climate and gentle breezes call for light cool clothing year-around. During the winter months (Dec. to April) it is a good idea to bring a jacket or sweater for cool nights. Remember there is limited space on board each boat so try to bring no more than two duffel bags that can be folded and stowed on board.

items to bring all courses

Shorts

Hat

T-shirts

Jeans

One casual outfit

Boat shoes or white
soled tennis shoes

Swimsuit

Suntan ointment (SPF25 or higher)

Toiletries

Sailing gloves

One or two duffel bags

Rain or Foul Weather Gear *

Course 200 (Bahamas)

Passport OR

Birth certificate & Photo ID OR

Voters Registration & Photo ID

DO NOT BRING

Illegal drugs

High heals

Hard suit cases

Jewelry

We encourage our students to bring cameras, binoculars, personal navigation tools or any other applicable items having to do with the course. Our major concern is limited storage space. If you have any specific questions about items to bring please feel free to ask. There is a marine store at the marina where you may purchase any items that you desire.

If you plan to arrive the day before your school and need lodging, let us know. We have a list of hotels available; some offer discounts for our students.

Fort Lauderdale International Airport is a very modern facility that is less than fifteen minutes from our docks. Our vessels are normally berthed at Lauderdale Marina. Lauderdale Marina is located 1/2 mile north of the 17th Street Causeway on the ICW. The address for Lauderdale Marina is 1900 Southeast 15th Street. We may also berth our departing vessels from Bahia Mar and Pier 66. Be sure to contact the office before arriving at the dock so that you may be advised of any last minute scheduling changes or directions.

The best transport from the Airport is by our courtesy vehicle, when you arrive call us locally at 954-791-1199. We make every effort to be able to provide transportation for our students.

If you are arriving by automobile please inform our office beforehand so that we might make arrangements for parking. Cost of storage usually runs around $5 per day and is the responsibility of the student. Once in Fort Lauderdale call us locally for directions to the vessel.

All of our courses begin in Fort Lauderdale on Saturday. You should plan to arrive by 1100 hours. If this is not possible please inform us of planned arrival time. Students will be directed to the vessel upon arrival, introductions, gear rental, any outstanding paperwork, etc., will be attended to upon the vessel. Provisions will be delivered at 1200 hours on Saturday. Once the provisions for the week are stowed a buffet lunch will be served at approximately 1300 hours. After lunch, students will be given the opportunity to shop for any special dietary items and drinks. Ocean Masters provides milk, tea, coffee, fresh orange juice, some drink mixes and a complementary bottle of wine, any student wishing to purchase liquor, beer, wine or sodas may do so at this time.

The first night you will anchor out in Ft. Lauderdale. Sunday the boat will sail from Ft. Lauderdale to Miami off the Florida coast. Sunday night you will anchor in Biscayne Bay. Starting Monday the boat will depart for Key Largo, anchoring each night along the way. The boat is scheduled to stay at dockside on Tuesday night at Marina Del Mar in Key Largo. Key Largo has full facilities, shopping, dive boats, deep sea fishing and groceries. Your midcourse exam will be Tuesday night. Wednesday the trip back to Ft. Lauderdale will begin. You should anchor in Ft. Lauderdale Thursday night and return to our main docks about noon on Friday for your final exam and evaluation. Student should be ready for departure by 1500 on Friday.

All of our courses begin in Fort Lauderdale on Saturday. You should plan to arrive by 1100 hours. If this is not possible please inform us of planned arrival time. Students will be directed to the vessel upon arrival. Introductions, gear rental, any outstanding paperwork, etc., will be attended to upon the vessel. Provisions will be delivered at 1200 hours on Saturday. Once the provisions for the week are stowed a buffet lunch will be served at approximately 1300 hours. After lunch, students will be given the opportunity to shop for any special dietary items and drinks. Ocean Masters provides milk, tea, coffee, fresh orange juice, some drink mixes and a complementary bottle of wine, any student wishing to purchase liquor, beer, wine or sodas may do so at this time.

The first night you will anchor out in Ft. Lauderdale. Sunday the boat will sail from Ft. Lauderdale to Miami off the Florida coast. Sunday night you will anchor in Biscayne Bay. Monday you will make preparations for the crossing to the Bahamas. Monday night the boat will depart for Bimini, Bahamas. The boat is scheduled to arrive in Bimini Tuesday morning and stay at dockside on Tuesday night. Your midcourse exam will be Tuesday. You will also have time to sleep or explore Bimini on Tuesday. Wednesday the vessel will anchor at one of the local anchorage's. Thursday the trip back to Ft. Lauderdale will begin. You should anchor in Ft. Lauderdale Thursday night and return to our main docks about 1200 hours on Friday for your final exam and evaluation. Students should be ready for departure by 1500 hours on Friday.

It should be noted that weather can cause the itinerary to change and the Captain/instructor will have the final decision concerning the safety of the students and the vessel.

Our courses are intense and take almost the full day each day. If weather permits we attempt to give our students the opportunity to snorkel and swim. You may bring your personal snorkel gear. The vessel has a limited selection of fins and masks available for the students use free of charge. Due to insurance regulations no SCUBA diving is permitted from Academy vessels.

The text book for this course is Bob Bond's Handbook of Sailing. A text book is provided for students use during the course. These books must be returned after the course. If you would like to review the book before you arrive, many libraries have copies. There are many other basic sailing books on the market that are very good and contain the same general information, if you have a favorite you are invited to bring it along. The course will be referenced to Bob Bond's Handbook of Sailing. If you so desire you may purchase Bob Bond's Handbook of Sailing from us for the price of $25.00 + shipping.

Fort Lauderdale has one of the finest nautical book stores in the entire country and if time permits we try to give our students the opportunity to visit Blue Water Books before they leave the area on Friday.

Dear Student,

We are excited about the opportunity of having you onboard. Our staff, at Ocean Masters Sailing Academy, is dedicated to providing you with the best experience possible. If there is anything we can do to make your stay with us better please feel free to ask.

Sincerely yours,
The Staff
Ocean Masters Sailing Academy