The Briefing Process:

Once the paperwork, provisioning and other formalities are completed the briefing process is usually in 3 parts.

Apart from ensuring your familiarisation with the vessel, it ensures you have a great experience on your holiday.  Many Operators arrange to post the bareboater a DVD to get you prepared and excited!

The briefing is undertaken with a fully qualified briefing skipper.

1.  Navigation and Area Brief – The Briefing Room - 1 hour

• DVD from the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority – Information and Conservation
• Weather brief – upcoming forecast and conditions
• Navigation – Navigation Check and test – to make sure you don’t get lost!  But also to make sure you don’t miss the best sights of the Whitsundays.  You will also be encouraged to make a loose plan for your adventure – but tailored to your cruising preference – ie snorkelling/diving, fishing, island hopping, resort and restaurants, boat watching

2.  Vessel Brief – Onboard Your Vessel - 1 hour

Each Vessel is different and will cover at least:

• Navigation Systems
• Power Systems
• Toilet and Shower Systems
• Anchoring System
• Galley, BBQ (kitchen) systems and gas operation
• Entertainment, DVD, CD systems
• VHF Radio system and ‘Scheds’
• Safety Systems, First Aid and Fire safety
• Vessel Handbook including troubleshooting
• 100 Magic Miles reference guide overview (Whitsundays only)

3. Vessel Handling – or Sailtest – up to 1 hr

• Your skipper will taxi you out of the marina and ensure you have the skills that have been confirmed on the charter agreement.  Exercises usually include:
• Motors on and off
• Turn Left, Right and a figure of 8
• Anchor down and up
• Sailtest (where the vessel has sails!) Pull, set, and reef the main, headsail (and furl).  Tack and a Gybe.

Once the briefing skipper is satisfied, they then disembark onto their own motorised tender and head back to harbour!  You are on your way!  Remember that you are asked to radio in each morning and evening (radio ‘scheds’) with your anchor location and intended destination for the following day and evening.

Please note that each vessel and Operator is different - please refer to your charter agreement for the process for your Operator.