Ocean Skipper (Patrão de Alto Mar)

Programme

• General review of the “Patrão de Costa” course, with special focus on safety, navigation, and communications topics.

• Time: Earth's movement and apparent diurnal motion; conversion between arc and time; mean solar time and legal time; time zones and chronometers.

• Introduction to celestial navigation: stars, planets, and the solar system; celestial sphere and coordinates; position triangle.

• Nautical almanac: description and usage.

• Observed and true altitude; correction of observed altitudes for the Sun, stars, planets, and Moon.

• Sextant: observation of celestial bodies to determine altitudes; daytime and nighttime observations; standards for meridian altitudes. Index error correction.

• Noon position (meridian altitude of the Sun).

• Latitude determination using Polaris.

• Lines of position; transfer and intercept point; plotting, transfer, and errors in a line of position.

• Use of tables, calculators, and dedicated software in celestial navigation.

• Position determination using extra-meridian solar observations.

• Planning of twilight observations.

• Position fixing using stars, planets, and Moon.

• Verification of compass deviations at sunrise and sunset.

• Orthodromic, loxodromic, and mixed routes.

• GPS navigation. Radar: operation, ARPA system; basics of kinematics; motion components and graphical representation; absolute and relative motion; velocity triangle; manoeuvring compass rose. Dead reckoning navigation.

• Electronic charts.

• Radio communications: knowledge required for Class A Radiotelephone Operator exam.

• First aid.

• Safety: firefighting and damage control; lifesaving equipment; man overboard; emergency procedures; ship abandonment and survival at sea. International Code of Signals; Collision Regulations; life-saving at sea; environmental protection.

• Meteorology: atmosphere; temperature; air pressure and barometers; clouds; visibility; fog; precipitation; wind; wind systems; air masses; fronts; storms and anticyclones; tropical and extratropical cyclones; manoeuvring semicircles and hazards; weather reports and forecasts.

• Oceanography: seawater; maritime currents; Portuguese coastal currents; waves; floating ice; monthly routing charts; Weatherfax and Navtex.

• Publications and voyage planning.

Price

^€1115

•  VAT included
• 76 hours theoretical and 24 hours practical
• Includes access to online platform
•  Exam fee included (€240)

Requirements

Holding the “Patrão de Costa” certificate and being at least 18 years old is mandatory.

Check our combined courses “Patrão Local” + “Marinheiro” + “Patrão de Alto Mar” for a full training package.

Documentation:

• Registration Form
• 1 Passport-size photograph (digital)
• Non-Portuguese citizens: residence certificate
• Copy of the “Patrão de Costa” Licence
• Medical certificate for practicing nautical sports

To enroll, only the registration form and photograph are required. Other documents must be submitted at least 1 week before the exam.

Duration

Total duration: 100 hours (76 hours theoretical, 24 hours practical) over 3 months.

• Theoretical classes – Weeknights from 19:30 to 22:30, and one full Saturday every two weeks from 09:30 to 17:00
• Practical classes – Saturdays or Sundays, morning or afternoon starting at 09:00
• Exam: Saturdays or Sundays at 09:00

Boats

Practical sessions include 2 days on a cruising yacht (1 night).

We also organize a firefighting practice session at a training park with a specialist instructor, as well as a pool session for lifeboat drills.

We are the only school in Lisbon to have a true “Blue Water Cruiser”, a fantastic RM1350, fully equipped for training.

Locations

Oeiras Marina provides quick access to a high-quality water area. It has modern facilities for nautical sports, including restaurants, shops, changing rooms, security, and parking.

Nearby are several beaches, an ocean pool, and a seafront promenade. Its location at the entrance of the Tejo estuary allows for open sea sailing in clear waters or sheltered navigation in the Tejo River.

Theoretical classes take place in a DGRM-approved classroom at Oeiras Marina. Practical sessions also start from Oeiras Marina, using certified vessels.