The following is a sample of the expected content of the Tuition Guidance Sheets that accompany both 'Super Seven' and 'Top Twelve' DVD Packs / Box Sets. Of course the current and latest update sheets within the packs are the one's to use. The indication here under will be seen to be for 'Super Seven'. The information is likewise applicable for 'Top Twelve'

QUICK LINKS:
» Your DVD Player.
» The Equipment You Will Need (both for your tuition and 'on board').
» The First 'Super Seven' Video Run Through (The Light Run Through).
» The Second 'Super Seven' Video Run Through (The Heavier Run Through).
» Now Use The Questionnaires Fully.
»
The Charts.
» Chart Corrections + Free Admiralty Notices To Mariners.
» The Major Nautical Almanac (Reed's Macmillan).
» Global Positioning System GPS/Decca Navigator.
» VHF Radio (You Must Have a Ship Radio Licence For VHF Equipment On Board)
» Rule Of The Road/Collision Regulations/Steering & Sailing Rules.
» Knots – Mooring – Anchors & Anchoring.
» Your Type Of Boat?
» Boat Handling & Rigging.
» Know Where To Find The Information Fast.
» Your Comments And Suggestions.
» Other Tele-Pilot Pilotage Videos.
» Become Involved In As Much Practical Boating As You Can.
» Super Seven Major Objective.

Your DVD Player
Use your video remote control if you have one. There will frequently be times when you will want to pause and re-run the videos. When making notes ALWAYS add your DVD time log reference in order to find the information easily whenever required.

There is a time reference on the back of each video case, also at each question in the Questionnaires. Some of the videos have running time of up to 180 minutes, so the time coding is provided to make life much easier for you to find the information.

The Equipment You Will Need (both for your tuition and 'on board')
A soft pencil, A pencil sharpener, A rubber, A pair of dividers, Parallel Rulers or Roller Rulers, or a Breton Plotter. (Parallel Rulers are used in the videos but if you are already conversant with another method, that's fine remain with it).

The First 'Super Seven' Video Run Through (The Light Run Through)
With the view to acknowledging as much information as possible as early as possible, so as to have you safe on the water as fast as possible, it is strongly suggested that you simply watch all seven videos through first. Just sit back an enjoy them without making any special effort to learn from the videos at this time.

The videos should be studied in the following order: 1. Thames Three, 2. Thames Four, 3. Channel One, 4. Channel Four, 5. Channel Three, 6. Channel Islands One & 7. Channel Islands Two (note Channel Four BEFORE Channel Three).

At the end of each video, work through the included Questionnaire and see how many answers you can provide. Write each answer down on paper, or better still in a work note book that you can use throughout your video studies. Number your answers to match up with the question numbers (Q. No.) in the Questionnaires.

To check your answers 'fast forward' each video again, watching out and pausing for the answers as you arrive at the time code, indicated (Hr. M) on the Questionnaires. Though you were not making any special effort to learn at this time, you will be surprised at what you have already learned.

Check on the back of the Questionnaire to see how well you have scored.

Don't worry if you didn't do so well, it's early days… You have only just started. It is not necessary to labour too hard on the Questionnaire answer checking on the first run through. This can be done later when working through one video at a time during the intensive run through.

The most important point of the initial watch through, is to provide you with this (Via. TV) very important ingredient called 'Sea-Time' ... (Experience). This opening broad dose of general boating & navigation information will serve you well to overcome all sorts of problems that might arise in the early days of your boating. The initial faster run through will also provide you with an early overall picture of the tuition involved and what you really need to know to safely take a small craft to sea.

Move on now to the next video and repeat as you have done with the first, and so on until you have completed all seven videos. On this initial run through and as you probably may not have a Nautical Almanac at this stage, you will only be able to find the answers from the videos and the Skippers Handbook. However not to worry, this is all part of the plan.

After the seventh video, you have covered (via. TV), months of 'Sea-time' in a very short time. You will, even now, be much more experienced and safer on the water.

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The Second 'Super Seven' Video Run Through (The Heavier Run Through)
This is the time to make regular reference to the Skippers Handbook. You need your charts, the Nautical Almanac plus the basic equipment indicated for your chart-work. Now you return to the first video (Thames Three), but this time you should not move on beyond this video until you fully understand all within and until you have understood and have all the right answers to the Questionnaire.

Now Use The Questionnaires Fully
For Value For Money Tuition, you must make good use of the Questionnaires. Now you must also work with many sections of the videos, not simply watch them. On this run though it will be obvious that you can relax your attention to some of the more pilotage intensive information, such as some of the interviews and where local knowledge has no benefit to you in being applied to other locations.

The Charts
Thames Three and Thames Four videos cover much of the basic Chart-Work. No charts are required at first for 'The light run through'. Charts appear regularly within all of the videos and are sufficient for the start. During the series you will arrive at a number of points where it will be of obvious benefit to have the charts to work with. However to start you off, I suggest you visit your nearest Chandlery and get them to order for you, Imray Chart C1. Thames Estuary. This is a chart containing bags of relevant information and totally covers both Thames Three and Thames Four Video locations. This is then in hand and on it's way to you to keep your tuition running smoothly. There will be other charts required to work with in the Thames Three video. These charts and their numbers are included within the Thames Three video.

If you have no Yacht Chandlery or Chart Agent near to you… contact Kelvin Hughes, Southampton, Tel:(02380) 634911 or Marine Instruments Falmouth, Tel:(01326) 312414 They will be pleased to price and post the Almanac, charts & equipment to you.

Don't be concerned with regard to different makes of chart, in practice if you need to obtain charts on a passage, you may have to make do with what ever can be obtained. Get used to working with any make of chart. All charts are based upon Admiralty Charts. You will see in the videos and on chart C1, that some charts have much additional helpful information printed on them, often printed on the back of the chart. Many Mini Charts of ports and some approach locations will be found in the Almanac. These will be of some help, but you really need to become conversant with the assortment of real charts. Ideally for your studies, ask for a comprehensive almanac. When requiring charts used in the videos, you will see that chart numbers are provided.

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Chart Corrections + Free Admiralty Notices To Mariners
Log onto the Internet:
www.admiraltyleisure.co.uk and www.nmwebsearch.com.
It Is Important To Check Out These Sites.

The Major Nautical Almanac (Reed's Macmillan)
As you will see, the Almanac is quite a sizeable publication but don't worry, much of the information within is providing annual tidal and various port information covering many locations, information not required to be committed to memory.

Via the Included Skippers Handbook & the Almanac carefully study the following:

Ideally study in the order indicated

1. Man Overboardp. 148 - 151 
2. Weatherp. 119 - 1316. Steering and Sailing Rulesp. 93 - 97
3. Buoyagep. 109 - 1127. Port Traffic Signalsp. 113
4. Chart Symbolsp. 788. Safety and Distressp. 114 - 115
5. Lights & Day Marks in Vesselsp. 98 - 1069. Phonetic Alphabet & Flagsp. 116 - 118
Information under the above headings should have priority (especially if you already have a boat). Check out all the remaining information in the Handbook as it comes up in the videos, especially Tides, Tidal Streams, Compass and Position Fixing.

As the videos run, check out the buoys, colours, top marks, lights etc, match up the symbols on the charts, make a point of discovering (via the Handbook and Almanac) each & every item that you do not understand. You will be meeting much in the videos that will confirm your need for careful study of the Handbook and Almanac information.

Reed's Nautical Almanac Note:
You will see in most of the videos, many references are made to the Reed's Nautical Almanac and Companion. Reed's Nautical Almanac was taken over by Macmillan and incorporated into the Macmillan Almanac. Regrettably page numbers in the videos need to be disregarded (see information in the box above for the current Reed's Skipper's Handbook page No's).

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Global Positioning System GPS/Decca Navigator
Decca Navigator was used during the production of each of the 'Super Seven' videos. Where Decca is mentioned simply substitute GPS. Decca has since been discontinued. Decca was a system that received its positioning information from local shore stations, whereas GPS receives positioning signals from Satellite stations. Output and the use of GPS receivers is broadly similar to Decca therefore where Decca is indicated substitute GPS and the video information is normally otherwise unaffected.

VHF Radio (You Must Have a Ship Radio Licence For VHF Equipment On Board)
Contact: The Radio Communications Agency, London. Tel: 020 7211 0215/0217. When you have completed your 'Super Seven' Studies, you should consider going for your radio operators licence.

Listen carefully each time the VHF radio is used within the videos. You will begin to discover the format and style of radio contact with shore stations and other craft. New GMDSS VHF radios (Global Maritime Distress & Safety System) are now available. These will soon monitor distress and safety calls automatically on channel 70.

Further details on the GMDSS system can be obtained from the Marine Safety Agency, Spring Place, 105, Commercial Rd., Southampton, SO15 1EG. Tel: (02380) 321231.

Rule Of The Road/Collision Regulations/Steering & Sailing Rules
(See Steering and Sailing Rules in the Skippers Handbook). When you need a rest from 'The Voice' on the video, or your wife and children need to see if the lottery has been won, give them back the TV for a while and via the Skippers Handbook and/or Nautical Almanac, begin to get to grips with the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea.

Common sense will tell you what to commit to memory. Most of the major rules involving small craft when approaching one and other will be found in the Reed's Handbook (pages 93 to 95). If you are a motor boat person as opposed to a sail boat person, do check out the sailing rules, you must give way to sail and the sailing fraternity will respect you no end if they see you understanding their actions.

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Knots – Mooring – Anchors & Anchoring
All essential learning in the early days. Mooring a craft on a pontoon is really very easy as the pontoon is designed to float up and down on the tide along with the boat. Non pontoon mooring is usually a very different story and should be studied carefully.

Video Channel Four at Sandwich, Kent, includes an interesting sequence in a tight river, mooring outside of other craft without floating pontoons. The sequence indicates clearly the necessity of getting to grips with this more difficult type of non pontoon mooring.

Your Type Of Boat?
If you do not already have a boat, keep a good eye to the videos with regard to the types, sizes and locations where craft are being used. A safe and suitable boat must be sought depending on the passages and places you may intend to visit and locations you expect to be navigating.

If you already have a boat and doubt its capabilities due to design, age or lack of the required equipment, don't take chances now with your newly acquired knowledge. Soon, with your 'Super Seven' knowledge, your boat will have to keep up with you!

Boat Handling & Rigging
Boat handling varies considerably depending on the type of boat. Sail or power, twin or single engine, left or right hand propeller, inboard or out board engines. My advice is to get a thorough explanation from who ever offers you the craft, make it part of the deal. On this point don’t part with your money until you are convinced she handles well and that you can handle and rig her (free tuition at the point of sale).

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Know Where To Find The Information Fast
The professional mariner has to commit much more to memory than is expected of a Leisure Mariner.

The Professional has to commit to memory information such as Flags and the Morse Code. Even the Collision Regulations has to be almost entirely committed to memory by the Professional. Fortunately this is not the case for the leisure mariner.

There will be times however when action and response is needed fast. To this end specific information should have priority in being committed to memory.

For example two short blasts on the horn. 'I am directing my course to port'. This needs instant understanding & possible action (Skippers Handbook. Sound Signals, Page 107).

With common sense as a leisure mariner, I am sure you are able to decide for yourself what needs to be committed to memory and what needs to be stored very much to hand for quick access.

As you watch the videos, try to separate in your mind what needs to be held for instant action and also what needs to be kept at hand for quick reference. The included Skippers Handbook is ideal for a quick pocket reference.

TUITION HELP-LINE: Help is at hand for you if you ring (01273) 455100

email: help@yachttuition.co.uk

Your Comments And Suggestions
Your questions and comments are appreciated as they provide the producer with knowledge to assist in how the series and tuition might be improved.

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Other Tele-Pilot Pilotage Videos
Tele-Pilot Pilotage videos generally will of course, also provide much more visual information on many further navigation and boating situations. The variety of contrasting locations will continue to provide you with large and fast doses of via TV 'SEA-TIME'.

You probably may know that there are currently almost 30 Tele-Pilot videos, containing approximately 60 hours of Pilotage and safe boating information. These include locations and passages in and near to the English Channel, including ports and passages West and out to The Isles Of Scilly. Much further advice to have you SAFER ON THE WATER… FASTER.

Become Involved In As Much Practical Boating As You Can
Do become involved, when ever & where ever possible, In as much REALITY boating as you can!

While working with Tele-Pilot tuition do get as much time as you can on the water, to put your learning into practice as you go. Obviously reality boating instruction is the best but very few will have the time, or perhaps the money, to receive all the reality instruction needed to be quickly safe on the water. As indicated in Tele-Pilot promotions, for the Leisure Mariner, the speed of reality is mostly far too slow. The best answer, is this mix of fast via T. V. tuition and as much reality as is possible. There is no better combination than Reality, the 'Super Seven' and Tele-Pilot Pilotage Videos generally, for a truly fast, effective and comprehensive Motor Boat or Yacht Tuition.

Super Seven Major Objective
REMEMBER The Tele-Pilot 'Super Seven' MAJOR OBJECTIVE is to have those new to boating (and those remaining apprehensive) safer and more confident on the water FASTER.

Both Tele-Pilot and the RYA have the same objective - safety and efficiency on the seas, rivers and in the tideways (Tele-Pilot Safety Almost Immediately -- RYA Safety Growing As You Progress).

When you have completed your 'Super Seven' Tuition, you can of course contact your nearest RYA school and go for your RYA instruction. It is always nice to read your newly acquired skills on an impressive document.

What will have been learned via 'Super Seven' has covered much of the ground needed to achieve RYA certification (Day Skipper, Completed Crew and Yacht Master, etc).

When you have completed 'Super Seven' as directed, with caution & sensible approach You Can Challenge All Aspects Of Coastal & Off-Shore Passage Making.

It needs little debate to agree who will be making those SAFE off-shore passages first.

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May I wish you a very pleasant learning and even more exciting times aboard, putting your newly acquired knowledge and confidence into practise.

Do remember to consider the capabilities and seaworthiness of your craft, as indicated, your boat will now have to keep up with your new knowledge and freedom.

Congratulations and thank you for choosing my option of up front and faster tuition.

Best Regards

Captain Gary Williams
Series Originator, Producer/Master Mariner

 

Every effort has been made to ensure that information both in the videos and within all information sheets, is correct. Commercial & Leisure Video Productions, the Producer of Tele-Pilot and The 'Super Seven', take no responsibility for any inaccuracies within the series or associated information. Should you use any of the videos in conjunction with your navigation, your attention is drawn particularly to the opening warning roller caption within each Tele-Pilot/Super Seven Video. As clearly stated in the videos, when navigating, you must possess up to date charts and almanacs. The most recent Admiralty Notices To Mariners should always be sought from www.admiraltyleisure.co.uk or from Admiralty Chart Agents.

SERIES COPYRIGHT AND USAGE NOTICE: All Commercial or Industrial users, including Yacht Clubs, Schools and Colleges etc., please be aware that Copyright of the whole series is owned by Commercial and Leisure Video Productions. The Series is sold on the understanding that both 'Super Seven' / Pilotage videos are sold for private home use only. When requiring use for Commercial (non domestic) purposes, it is necessary that you register your use of any Tele-Pilot DVD Titles. Your intended use must be outlined in writing, prior to any commercial use of any of the series. NO non domestic use is permitted without first obtaining written permission from the producers. This registration information includes Yacht Clubs and other organisations intending to loan or hire, any of the Tele-Pilot Series to their members or customers. Please Register Your Intentions For Our Agreement Prior To Placing Any Orders. If in doubt, e-mail: enquiries@yachttuition.co.uk or Tel: (01273) 455100.

Buy securely online now or ask for Tele-Pilot at your local dealer