Watchkeeping

with

Ben & Teresa Carey

Morse Alpha Expeditions

Offshore sailing is not just about steering the boat. It’s about managing people, systems, fatigue, and risk. Learn how professional watchstanding practices turn long passages into safe, efficient, and even enjoyable experiences.

90-Minute Live Session

On Demand Replay Available

Live Q&A

What really happens on a multi-day offshore passage? What do you actually do all day and night out there? This seminar on offshore watchkeeping gives you a clear, structured understanding of how experienced sailors manage watches, crew dynamics, systems, and safety during extended passages. Whether sailing double-handed or as part of a larger crew, strong watchstanding practices are what separate stressful trips from confident, capable passagemaking. Drawing from real-world experience on tall ships, tugboats, yacht deliveries, and sail training vessels, this session focuses on practical systems that work in real conditions.

FREE

Watchkeeping

Online class overview

Offshore sailing demands more than just boat handling skills. It requires preparation, routines, communication, and sound decision-making around the clock.In this online class you’ll learn how to design effective watch schedules, maintain situational awareness, manage fatigue, run drills, and handle real-time decisions with clarity. We will walk through the systems and frameworks professionals use to keep crew safe, rested, and focused over multiple days at sea.You will leave with checklists, practical routines, and a stronger understanding of what confident offshore watchkeeping actually looks like.

Who is this online class for?

This online class is designed for sailors preparing for their first multi-day passage, especially those who have never sailed overnight out of sight of land.It is also ideal for sailors who have completed an overnight passage but did not feel fully safe or confident. Coastal cruisers stepping up to offshore sailing, owners and crew of small yachts, delivery skippers, and anyone responsible for watch planning or onboard safety will benefit from this structured approach.If you want to reduce stress, increase safety, and make offshore sailing feel manageable instead of intimidating, this online class is for you.

What will I learn?

In this online class, sailors can expect to learn how professional watch-standing systems create safety and consistency offshore.You will gain a practical understanding of how to organize watches, manage crew endurance, maintain equipment, document critical information, and respond effectively to changing conditions. More importantly, you’ll learn how to build habits and routines that keep your boat running smoothly 24 hours a day.

List of topics:

Personal safety gear and best practices
Emergency equipment and response protocols
How to run effective onboard drills
Fatigue management and sleep strategies offshore
Passage planning fundamentals
Weather assessment and real-time route decisions
Sail handling at night and when shorthanded
Systems checks and preventative routines
Logbook procedures and record-keeping
Human factors and crew resource management
Practical daily routines that improve efficiency
Communication standards and smooth watch transfers

LEADING WITH CONFIDENCE AT SEA

From Long Nights to Clear Systems

Offshore passages are not just about steering the boat, they are about managing fatigue, communication, systems, and risk over multiple days at sea. This online class explains what truly happens during extended passages and shows how structured watch systems transform long nights into organized, manageable routines. You will learn how experienced sailors design watch schedules, maintain situational awareness, and create daily systems that keep the boat safe and efficient around the clock.

Turning Crew Into a Cohesive Offshore Team

Strong offshore performance depends on preparation and teamwork. In this online class, you will learn how to manage crew endurance, run effective drills, maintain equipment checks, and conduct smooth watch transfers that reduce confusion and mistakes. Drawing on real-world professional experience, this seminar provides practical frameworks that build confidence, accountability, and consistency during multi-day passages.

Confidence That Lasts Beyond the Horizon

Designed for sailors preparing for their first offshore passage or seeking to improve previous experiences, this online class replaces anxiety with clarity. You will leave with practical checklists, repeatable systems, and a clear understanding of what confident offshore watch-keeping actually looks like, allowing you to approach long passages with structure, composure, and control.

Your Host

Ben & Teresa Carey

Teresa Carey and Ben Eriksen Carey are seasoned maritime professionals and co-owners of Morse Alpha Expeditions, a renowned coastal and offshore sail-training program. Teresa is a US Coast Guard licensed captain, educator, and accomplished media producer. Her experience includes captaining diverse vessels—schooners, motor yachts, sailing yachts, and even a lobster boat—and teaching for sea programs like Outward Bound. Teresa’s solo offshore sailing and her work as a science journalist, and experience teaching high school, college, and on-the-water enrich her teaching with practical and scientific insights. Ben holds a 200 Ton US Coast Guard Master's License and a 500 Ton Mate of Towing credential. His extensive maritime career spans schooners, tugboats, sailing and motor yachts, with expertise as captain, mate, and beyond. A lifelong waterman and marine biology graduate, Ben brings a deep understanding of seamanship and safety to his instruction. Together, Ben and Teresa have sailed thousands of nautical miles, co-founded Morse Alpha Expeditions, and produced engaging sailing media including podcasts, like the Morning Muster Sailing Podcast, and documentaries. Their combined hands-on experience and passion for education make them exceptional instructors for this navigation rules online class.

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Online Class Registration

@ 4:30 PM PT / 7:30 PM ET (90 min)

Regular Price

ASA Member Price

On-Demand Access

All registrations include unlimited on-demand access to the recordings of the live online class. So if you are unable to attend live you can still register and watch at your leisure.

ASA MEMBER DISCOUNT

American Sailing Members can claim their discount in the Member Portal. If you’re not a current member then for only $59/year you can join or renew today!

Online Course
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- Watchkeeping
ASA Certification
ASA Online Achievement Seal
- ASA Online Achievement Seal
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By completing this entire course you can earn an ASA Online Achievement Seal - an official ASA seal that can be entered into your ASA Logbook!
Official ASA Logbook
- ASA Logbook
  $29.99
The ASA Logbook is a living document that chronicles your certifications and can also be used to keep a record of any and all sea-hours accrued along the way. If you chose to earn an ASA Online Achievement Seal and don't have an ASA Logbook then you *must* chose this option and purchase one.
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