Tristan islander Norman Glass gains yacht skipper qualification after six month course

Norman Glass gains Yachtmaster Ocean qualification

Norman Glass obtains prestigious Royal Yacht Association qualification

Report and photos from James Glass

Photo shows Norman at the helm of a Sunsail Charter yacht during a trip across the English Channel.

Norman departed Tristan in May 2016 for a six-month course at the United Kingdom Sailing Academy (UKSA) in Cowes, Isle of Wight, UK. The purpose of his training was to upgrade his current certificate, and complete his Yachtmaster Ocean qualification.

'A person holding a Yachtmaster Ocean qualification is experienced and competent to skipper a yacht on passages of any length in all parts of the world' (RYA)

The completion the intensive Yachtmaster Ocean course provided Norman with a good knowledge of sailing in and around the Solent, as well as cross-channel voyages to France, Channel Islands, Gibraltar, Madeira, and the Azores.

To complete his Yachtmaster Ocean Practical course he spent time on board the UKSA yacht Whirlwind II, a Farr Millennium 65' Ocean Racing Yacht, in November 2016. The course, which consisted of three Ocean Voyage legs, took him between Gibraltar, Madeira and the Azores in the North Atlantic Ocean.
Photo shows Norman during training on between the Azores Islands and Madeira.

Captain Jonathan of the Whirlwind II reported "I found Norman to be of impeccable character and hard-working to a fault, and is ideally suited to deep-sea work. I would be very happy to recommend him for any role at sea and fully expect him to achieve command in the next few years".

Norman is now looking to get some work experience and sea time, which will enable him to get his (MCA Master 200grt/OOW 500grt qualification), with the long-term goal of supporting Tristan to generate extra revenue. He is very grateful to the TDCG for giving him this opportunity.

Need a skipper?

Norman would be interested in hearing from other mariners (normanglasstdc@yahoo.com) especially those doing transatlantic voyages or those in the charter business.