Certifications

CERTIFICATION STUDY GUIDE

To qualify for chartering Aventura boats, it will be necessary for you to pass both written and on-the-water examinations. Aventura`s vessels are inboard auxiliaries with wheel steering and are berthed in slips with narrow channels. Check the slip maps and observe docking conditions personally if you have questions about what boat handling skills will be required of you.
The Standard Certification exams include information covered in Aventura’s Basic course and qualify you for chartering boats up to 31 feet in length.
Special Certification for vessels 32-36 feet requires additional exams covering areas of intermediate/advanced seamanship such as contained in Aventura`s Intermediate/Advanced Course and syllabus, Chapman’s classic “Sailing, Seamanship and Small Boat Handling”, and Colgate’s Basic and Cruising texts.
The most common method of certification is through Aventura’s regularly scheduled classes.
However:
1. If you believe that your boating experience adequately qualifies you to operate the specific vessels in the Aventura fleet without taking the class, you may challenge the class examinations and certify through private lessons.
2. If you have sailing knowledge and experience but your experience has not included the size or type of vessels in Aventura`s fleet, you must attend a “mini-class” consisting of the last two on-the-water sessions in the Basic Class [to 31'].
3. Candidates for certification are normally allowed to retake the written examination if they fail to receive the required 90% score for certification. However, failure to make an 80% score indicates a serious lack of boating knowledge and will require attending class to become certified.
To assist you in preparing for your exams, the “Basic Syllabus” offers specific guidelines for Aventura boat operation, a course outline and sample exams. You may also pay to attend any individual class sessions which you feel may benefit you.
At some point prior to your first charter, you must attend one of the regularly scheduled meetings with the Operations Manager or his staff. This meeting, referred to as “lab 5", covers the operational aspects of chartering from our fleet.
When you are ready to certify, come to the Aventura office at any time during normal working hours and take the written exam. Please allow ½ hour for the Standard and 1½ hours for the Special certification exams. At that time you may also schedule for the on-the-water examination.

Good Luck!!