Coastal Seamanship

with

Ben & Teresa Carey

Morse Alpha Expeditions

Sharpen your navigation and decision-making skills for coastal cruising, where preparation and awareness turn complexity into confidence.

90-Minute Live Session

On Demand Replay Available

Live Q&A

Coastal cruising combines the excitement of exploration with the challenge of ever-changing conditions. Sailing near land means dealing with tides, traffic, weather shifts, and hidden hazards—all while making quick, sound decisions. Understanding these factors is what separates a cautious sailor from a confident coastal cruiser.

FREE

Coastal Seamanship

Online class overview

In this online class, you’ll learn how to plan and execute safe and enjoyable coastal passages using practical seamanship skills and modern navigation tools. Through real-world examples and expert instruction, we’ll cover the essential techniques and decision-making habits that keep coastal cruising smooth, safe, and rewarding.

Who is this online class for?

This class is perfect for beginner to intermediate sailors who are ready to move beyond their local sailing grounds. Whether you’re planning your first multi-day coastal hop or looking to explore new anchorages with greater confidence, this course will give you the skills to navigate coastal waters safely and smartly.

What will I learn?

You’ll learn how to think like a coastal cruiser—balancing navigation, weather, and safety in real time. Expect practical tips, hands-on techniques, and decision-making strategies you can immediately apply on your next trip.

List of topics:

Making realistic passage plans
Identifying safe anchorages
Using tidal currents to your advantage
Recognizing and avoiding hazards
Performing pre-departure safety checks
Maintaining situational awareness
Managing encounters with large vessels
Using danger bearings and ranges
Communicating effectively and respectfully
Tactics for arriving at night

Essential Everyday Skills

From Uncertainty to Confidence

Coastal sailing is where skill meets instinct—where every decision counts, and awareness becomes your greatest tool. Changing weather, shifting tides, busy traffic lanes, and uncharted anchorages can turn a simple day sail into a complex challenge. This online class takes the uncertainty out of coastal cruising by teaching you how to plan, adapt, and make smart, confident decisions when it matters most. With structured lessons and expert guidance, you’ll learn how to stay calm, prepared, and in control as the conditions change around you.

Smart Seamanship for Real-World Sailing

This online class goes beyond theory to deliver techniques sailors can actually use every time they cast off. You’ll learn how to read conditions before they surprise you, turn tidal currents into allies, and approach coastal navigation with clarity and purpose. Through real-world examples, you’ll gain strategies for balancing safety, efficiency, and enjoyment—whether you’re managing watch schedules, setting a course for a new harbor, or threading through a crowded channel. Each lesson builds habits that transform good judgment into second nature.

A Must for Curious, Capable Cruisers

Perfect for sailors ready to expand their horizons, this online class bridges the gap between sheltered sailing and true coastal cruising. Whether you’re a recent ASA 103/104 graduate or an experienced sailor refining your skills, you’ll leave with the confidence to handle longer passages, varied conditions, and new destinations. If you’ve ever hesitated to explore beyond familiar waters, this is your opportunity to gain the knowledge, mindset, and seamanship that make every mile more rewarding.

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.

Get the class Bundle

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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
Course*
- Coastal Seamanship
ASA Certification
ASA Online Achievement Seal
- ASA Online Achievement Seal
  *recommended
  $19.00
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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