Duration
Duration
Bytown Brigantine's
LOG BOOK
OUR LOG BOOK
Our Log Book is made up of levels that correspond to ranks onboard our ships. Complete your Level II and be promoted from Leading Seaman to Petty Officer and would earn you an official 'CREW' jacket. The completion of level 3, leads to a promotion to Watch Officer and earns your own engraved Watch Officer rigging knife.
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Once you have achieved the rank of Petty Officer, you have the option to formally apply for a summer crew position aboard our ships. After gaining experience as a Junior Officer, you may be promoted to a Senior Officer which may entitle you to work as a paid crew member.
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The successful completion of Level III in the Log Book is designed to prepare participants to sit for professional certification with Transport Canada. Many of our program's alumni go on to lead successful careers with the Merchant Marine, Navy, or Coast Guard after achieving their Level III certification and some have even returned to assume command of our ships!
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Graduates from our programs acquire extensive life skills, robust resumes, and management experience not typical of their peers. Our youth learn how to communicate effectively in a variety of leadership roles and become adept at working in fast-paced, demanding environments. Many of our officers learn how to steer our ships and know their way around a diesel engine before they are able to get behind the wheel of a car for the first time!
THE LEVELS
DECKHAND
A Deckhand is the entry-level rank in Bytown Brigantine's rank structure. Deckhands learn basic ship operations, seamanship skills, safety procedures, and shipboard routines. They assist the Leading Seaman in tasks designated by the Petty Officer, including setting and dousing sails, helming, safety checks, and lookout duties while on watch.
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The Deckhand Certificate can be achieved after a 1-day sail aboard either SV Black Jack or SV Fair Jeanne.
ORDINARY SAILOR
An Ordinary Sailor is the 2nd rank in Bytown Brigantine's Rank Structure. Ordinary Sailors become familiar with basic ship operations, seamanship skills, safety procedures, and shipboard routines. They assist the Leading Sailors in tasks designated by the Petty Officer, including setting and dousing sail, helming, safety checks, and lookout duties while on watch.
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The Ordinary Sailor Certificate can be achieved after a 5-day sail aboard either the SV Black Jack or SV Fair Jeanne.
LEADING SAILOR (Level I)
A Leading Sailor is one rank above Ordinary Sailor and one rank below Petty Officer. Leading Sailors develop a solid foundation of the ship's routine and assist the Petty Officers in basic seamanship tasks, including log entries, setting and dousing sails, and assisting during emergency drills. The Leading Sailor is the Petty Officers' right-hand and is responsible for small tasks such as securing lines or setting particular sails. They will also learn how to operate small sailboats, workboats, and tenders under their Petty Officer's direction.
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The Leading Sailor Certificate can be achieved in a 10-day sail aboard either SV Black Jack or SV Fair Jeanne.
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PETTY OFFICER (Level II)
The Petty Officers (POs) are the backbone of the ship and are second-in-command of a watch. They have an intimate knowledge of the ship's routines, standard operating procedures, and actions to take in an emergency. One rank above Leading Sailor, Petty Officers are often tasked with teaching basic seamanship and navigation. They ensure that watch members are properly briefed before carrying-out sail handling or ship manoeuvres. They are exceptional at handling sails, small workboats and tenders and are primarily responsible for training junior crew aboard SV Black Jack and SV Fair Jeanne.
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The Petty Officer Certificate can be achieved during a summer aboard either SV Fair Jeanne or SV Black Jack and participation throughout Bytown Brigantine's Winter Programs.
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WATCH OFFICER (Level III)
A Watch Officer (WO) is one rank above Petty Officer and one rank below the Mate (XO). The Watch Officer leads a watch while on duty but is not considered the Officer of the Watch (OOW) designated by Transport Canada. They act as a manager and work with the Petty Officer to ensure the ship's safety, the quality of training, and may teach advanced concepts to junior crew from time to time. Watch Officers must ensure that the work carried out by the Petty Officer and crew are completed safely and correctly. They have a solid understanding of seamanship skills, coastal navigation, the Collision Regulations, and all on-board systems and equipment.
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The Watch Officer Certificate can be achieved after a couple of summers aboard either SV Black Jack or SV Fair Jeanne and participation in the Bytown Brigantine's Winter Program.
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