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Level 4 - Quartermaster (Offshore)

Level 4 - Chef de Quart (Offshore) enables you to achieve autonomy at sea, and to learn to navigate “like a good father of the family” on a larger boat or to new destinations.

Navigation area

Approximately 100 miles of coastal sailing between St Tropez and the Calanques, with the islands of Hyères, Porquerolles, Port Cros and the Presqu'île de Giens a must. Nights are spent at anchor, depending on the weather, and a stopover in port may be considered during the course, depending on weather conditions. On this level, it is possible to cross to Corsica, weather permitting.

School boat

Our Lagoon 380 is fast, easy to handle and safe, making it an excellent catamaran for learning. All safety and comfort equipment is on board.

Content of your level

Choose the right equipment for your level and conditions

Equip yourself with the appropriate equipment for the weather conditions (foulies, boots, sun protection, armbands, sails)

Organize safety on board, define and enforce safety rules

Prepare the boat for MTO conditions

Knowledge of catamaran equipment (VHF, fire extinguishers, liferaft, FAR, crown buoy, lifeline, seawater valves, etc.)

Choose a navigation zone based on the hazards and MTO information available for an easy return.

Take and analyse MTO (VHF, harbour master's office, internet) Plot course, waypoints, ports of retreat and arrival, identify hazards

Beprepared to reduce or return sail

Anticipate future sailing conditions

Be familiar with alert and reporting procedures

Know how to use the VHF DSC (Pan Pan, Mayday, Security),

Know the roles of CROSS, SNSM, semaphores, and the Navy.

Know where you are on the water


Know where you are at all times on the chart/plotter and on the water

Know and apply coastal positioning techniques: Visual Positioning, Surveying, GPS, Estimating

Assert your course on charts and with electronic instruments

Know and apply coastal navigation techniques (bearings, transferring landmarks, keeping dead reckoning, tidal calculations)

Knowing how to organize equipment and berthing

Be able to coordinate the crew and carry out departure/arrival maneuvers at dockside, at anchor, in the locker, in safety for the crew and the boat.

Coordinate helm and sheet actions to balance the boat without changing speed

Adapt settings according to wind and sea conditions to facilitate piloting

Knowing how to manage gusts of wind, knowing how to follow the wind in upwind or downwind conditions.

Know how to trim and adjust the sail plan, manage hollowing and twisting (sheets, carts, halyards, leech nerves, boomvang, backstay, tack) to keep the boat as maneuverable as possible.

Turn and gybe while controlling the exit angle




Reach a point on the water without increasing the distance (frame concept)

Know how to turn from close-hauled to close-hauled while maintaining speed and fast recovery

Know how to gybe from GL to GL while maintaining speed and fast recovery

Know the tacking and gybing markers to limit course and maneuvers.

Work each shift in coordination with the crew


Carry out engine maneuvers

Be able to manage all positions: Headsail, mainsail, piano, helmsman, number 1 and Know the chronology of maneuvers and the reference points for each position.

Be able to perform and coordinate all motor maneuvers

Knowing the rules of access and prevention on natural sites

Know how to refer to nautical documents and apply the legislation in force for each site. Limit your impact on the environment

Participate in group tasks

Provisioning, cooking, cleaning, tidying up

Monitoring boat condition

Check engine levels, belt tension, climb mast safely

Identify critical points and ensure follow-up and maintenance.

How much does it cost?

  • Skipper certification
  • 1295
    per pers / excluding service pack at €380
  • Duration 7 days

- 10% for the second person in a shared cabin
- 10% on your second course in the calendar year
- 10 % for your first rental following a week-long course

ACM has chosen to take care of the entire organization of your cruising course, based on the principle of a service package.

We take care of everything, so that we can concentrate 100% on training.

Our service package

Service pack information

  • PACK SERVICES ACM
  • 380
    per person
    to be added to the cost of your training
  • New for 2020! 1 month of online theoretical training in the form of videos with commentary, graphic diagrams and summary sheets.
  • Partnership with Ocean Skill
  • Private cabin
  • Safety equipment - Individual self-inflating vest and additional safety equipment for offshore courses.
  • Provisioning - Breakfast, lunch and dinner and little extras we deliver in the morning. Arrange for storage, so you know what to bring.
  • On-board consumption:Gas, batteries
  • Bedding (complete kit) - Top and bottom sheets, pillow and pillowcase, blanket and comforter.
  • Catamaran cleaning package: No need to clean the catamaran when you return.
  • FFV MMA insurance: You are insured for the course via the Fédération Française de Voile.
  • Your ACM / FFV passport: We validate your level and number of miles sailed. Equivalence validation according to your experience.
  • Navigation software: Introduction to navigation software on the iPad (INAVX and Weather 4D Pro) From course 3 offshore.
  • Welcome and early night on board the day before: restaurant (not included in the service pack) with the crew and your instructor.
  • Parking space and amenities : You can leave your car and motorcycle in an enclosed space just a few steps from your catamaran. Showers and toilets on site.
  • Supplement to be arranged by crew
  • According to consumption
    per crew
  • Diesel + dinghy fuel: According to consumption on your return (approx. €20/person, depending on destination)
  • Provisioning : Provisioning (if necessary) *On 7-day courses, allow for a supplement
  • Stopover: According to weather conditions or crew wishes (otherwise anchored)

Our upcoming Level 4 courses

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See our other levels

Level 1: Initiation

Level 2: Advanced

Level 3: Semi Offshore

Skipper Yachting

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