You asked for it, and we heard you. We offer the Morse Alpha Certificate that will be very valuable when demonstrating skill level on boat insurance, maritime employment, or charter applications. Our students will understand and demonstrate specific skills to earn the certificate. While you don’t need a certificate to sail a boat, many people that are just getting into sailing appreciate the guidance a certification system provides. We offer ASA 103 and 104 to those following that track. But our program is far more robust than the usual ASA course material. Read on for more details about that.
When you finish the course you will be given:
- an official letter of sea service, and/or a certificate that indicates your training/experience
- a checklist that indicates specifically what skills you mastered and areas for improvement
Our certificate and evaluation will:
- Provide a checklist of skills as a goal and guide for learning.
- Verify your experience and skills for yourself and others to understand
- Serve as a sailing resume for maritime employers, insurance companies, or charter boat companies.
- Give you insight on what to work on next.
Why is this different from other certification programs?
I can’t attest to all programs and curriculums out there, but from my experience our curriculum is unique because it is flexible as opposed to highly structured. How can we possibly be highly structured while teaching in an environment that is so dynamic? We are not separating our course into different courses such as “basic sailing,” “navigation,” etc. To sail a boat from point A to point B safely, you need have an understanding in all areas of operation. Navigation doesn’t come after points of sail. In fact, if it is foggy and windless on the first day, it will come before points of sail! Additionally, this allows us meet our students where they are at and help them reach their individual goals. Our students are unique with varied backgrounds and talents. Not everyone fits a cookie cutter path to sailing independence. Have more questions about sailing certifications, contact us.
Why choosing Morse Alpha over other sailing schools is the right choice
If you’ve been researching sailing schools, looking for the right fit, you might have noticed that Morse Alpha just became an American Sailing (ASA) Affiliate School. You might wonder if this will change the way Morse Alpha conducts their expeditions. It will not. We are still offering the exact same courses we always have. We are still an independent educational sailing expedition-style operation. Offering upper level ASA certification is a service we can now provide our students who have already started down the American Sailing path.
Morse Alpha is more than just a sailing school
Morse Alpha is focused on creating knowledgeable sailors and cruisers through a curriculum backed by firsthand experience. Our new ASA affiliation supports students already on the ASA path without compromising our unique teaching methods.
When you sail with us, you’re not just gaining skills to pass a test—you’re gaining real skills and experience that will get you ready to embark on your own sailing journey. We offer Coastal Cruising Expeditions, Coastal Passage making, and Offshore Sailing Passages.
Do I need American Sailing (ASA) Certification?
ASA is a privately owned sailing school business. It is not a government entity like the USCG. ASA certification is not required to charter. Most charter companies need only a sailing resume that shows experience operating vessels similar in size to the vessel you plan to charter. They place more value on your experience, than on your certifications. Similarly, insurance companies focus on your relevant sailing experience and safety record when considering your application. An ASA certification is a point of reference, but because ASA schools vary widely in quality, it is not a standard that is transferable. Quite often there is a significant gap between passing an ASA exam and being truly prepared to cruise or charter. In reality, time and experience on the water are what you need. You can’t learn competence nor gain confidence in a “zero to hero”, five day accelerated course.
The Morse Alpha curriculum – real world experience
Our curriculum is based on extensive real-world sailing and commercial vessel experience, and we have refined our methods through feedback from students who have successfully cruised the world aboard their own boats. Our courses surpass the content covered by the traditional ASA certification classes.
While our expeditions are designed to cover more than the essential skills, we offer a flexible curriculum tailored to your specific goals. We can adapt our classes in real-time to align with your desires, and what we observe the team as a whole needs or would find most beneficial. We prioritize effective communication and crew management.
Morse Alpha instructors – professional sailors/mariners
Almost anyone can become an ASA instructor, the requirements are minimal. In contrast, our instructors all have years of sailing AND teaching experience. We require all our captains and mates to be USCG licensed appropriate for the expedition. We require all staff to have wilderness/offshore medical training. We require all our instructors to have worked aboard a variety of vessel types, not just as passengers/unpaid crew or aboard their own yacht, but actual employment. Our team is all professional sailors and educators.