The Cruise represents an opportunity for people with limited off-shore experience to gain such experience while travelling in company during relatively short coastal passages, although there will be at least one overnight passage.

Because the 2009 Van Diemens Land Circumnavigation Cruise is a coastal cruise conducted in company with other vessels, the requirements for off-shore experience amongst participating crew are arguably less than what would be required for more extended coastal passages, a blue-water passage, or a passage completed without accompanying vessels.

Although the Cruise has been scheduled to take advantage of Tasmania’s relatively mild late summer and autumn weather, all Tasmanian waters can and do experience gales at any time of the year. Places like the west and south coasts generally and specifically, locations such as Banks Strait, the Hunter Passage, and Hells Gates at the entrance to Macquarie Harbour can be quite hazardous.

Ports and bays on the west and south coast providing shelter from prevailing westerlies are quite limited. For example, a vessel that encounters strong north to north-westerly weather while travelling south from the Hunter Group may be unable to enter Macquarie Harbour, and will not reach sheltered waters until Port Davey, some 220 miles south of the Hunter Group.

General requirements:

Each vessel shall have aboard during each passage at least two adult crew members who collectively have the specific requirements detailed below.

A declaration of crew experience must be lodged with, and be accepted by, the Organising Committee before an entry is accepted.

Although sufficient time is available to complete the Cruise while avoiding inclement weather, there must be at least two adult crew members who are capable of completing overnight passages, and of independently navigating and helming their vessel safely through coastal waters dotted with islands, reefs and shoals and subject to strong tidal currents, in strong gales and rough water.

Specific requirements:

Within a crew, at least two adults must:

• have completed an overnight passage with a total length of at least 100 nautical miles and be capable of helming and operating their vessel in all conditions (although not mandatory, an offshore skipper’s certificate is prima facie evidence of this);
• be proficient in coastal navigation (although not mandatory, a certificate of proficiency in coastal navigation is prima facie evidence of this);
• be proficient in the use of both a VHF radio and a MF/HF radio (at least one crew member shall have a Restricted Operator’s Certificate of Proficiency or equivalent); and
• know where to locate and be able to use all safety equipment specified for the Cruise.