The Hatch

The Skipper

The skipper is the only professional sailor on board. Each of the ten Clipper skippers hold commercially-endorsed Ocean Yachtmaster certificates and an MCA Proficiency in Medical First Aid Aboard Ship Certificate.

They are in charge of everything on board, from deciding race tactics and interpreting weather to ensuring the safety of their crew and their boat at all times.

One of the skipper’s toughest jobs is man-management and it is up to him or her to delegate roles on board to their crew members, taking into account their skills and abilities, to produce a competitive racing team. They do not take part in the watch system themselves but are always on call to oversee the running of the boat and to discuss and decide tactics with the crew. Their principal point of contact is with the designated watch leaders who report to the skipper at every watch changeover.

Duty Skipper

Each week one of the ten skippers acts as lead skipper for the fleet. The main task of this role while the fleet is at sea is to coordinate the radio schedules every 12 hours when each skipper reports his or her boat’s position to Race Control.

On land the duty skipper acts as the link between the Race Director and the other race skippers, communicating information back and forth as required.

Watch Leaders

Each of the crews is split into two or more watches and they work in a system to ensure the boat is being sailed 24/7 for the duration of the race.

For most boats each watch works for four hours then rests for four hours, repeating that pattern through the day, although the exact watch system on each boat is different and working patterns will change in extremes of weather when it is too hot or too cold to be on deck for four hours at a time.

The watch leaders are responsible for leading and motivating the other members of their watch and ensuring the yacht is always being sailed safely. They make sure they are steering the correct course and that the helmsman and sail trimmers are reaching the target speed.

The watch leaders also get a set of standing orders, listing situations other than watch changeovers when they must report to the skipper. They can include changing weather conditions, a required change in sail configuration or another vessel within a certain distance of the boat.

It is the watch leader’s responsibility to appoint crew to different tasks according to their abilities. He or she must also brief their opposite number during watch changeovers so the new watch is fully aware of wind conditions, current and preferred course to steer, sail plan and, of course, any hazards or other vessels in the vicinity.

The majority of watch leaders are round the world crew, but there are situations where crew competing on one or more legs may take on the responsibility if they have the right qualities. A watch leader does not have to be the best sailor in the team but someone who is a good teacher and communicator and who will keep everyone racing even when the going gets tough.

Photographer

With the increased media attention the Clipper Race now attracts, the importance of recording life on board is becoming greater.

Two crew members from each yacht will take on responsibility as the photographer and video camera operator for their team to ensure all aspects of their adventure is pictured and filmed. The receive training from Clipper 07-08’s official photographer and host broadcaster before the race starts in order to allow them to learn how to get the best out of the equipment and how to process it using onboard software, before sending it back to the race office using the yacht’s communications systems.

Next Page Assistant watch leaders