The coastal package of the Rousseau code consists of two booklets and a double-sided summary cardboard sheet. Visually qualitative, these two booklets can be recognized by their photo at the top of the page and their white background at the bottom of the page (half and half). Here is the composition of the pack:
- Coastal" option code
- Coastal" option test
- Visual summary sheet, double-sided cardboard
The Rousseau Code"Coastal" option
The Rousseau Code Coastal Option is a 214-page booklet that covers all the topics of the coastal permit review in a very comprehensive and detailed manner. Here, the learning is divided into 8 chapters: beaconing + nautical charts and symbols, lights and ship's day marks, helm and course rules, signals, weather and tide service, navigation, safety, miscellaneous and VHF right of use.
Learning the Rousseau coastal code begins with a glossary which lists the main vocabulary to know in navigation (shelter, mooring, helm, course, drift, flow, deposit, tidal range, bearing, draught...).
The first chapter deals with tagging where each tag is clearly detailed with a drawing, a short explanation, a table, examples and many colors. Yellow boxes emphasize what to remember or provide mnemonic means to learn the lesson. The theme of nautical charts is then addressed with many drawings, tables and different font sizes and shapes for easy reading. At the end of the first chapter, an 8-question test is used to test the knowledge acquired on the first chapter.
Chapter 2 deals with daytime running lights and marks and here too different font shapes and sizes are used (bold and blue, bold black, italic, red and bold...). The sentences are very short, the page airy with the use of bullets and drawings. As in the first chapter, 8 questions test knowledge at the end of the chapter.
Chapter 3 deals with the helm and course rules, how to manoeuvre against other vessels and which vessels have priority. Chapter 4 deals with signals, weather and tide. You will learn how to signal your manoeuvres by sound or in case of fog, to know the appropriate means of distress or to recognize port or weather signals. The weather is explained at length to know when to sail or when to stay in port.
Chapter 5 deals with navigation and the notions of speed (in a port, a restricted zone... A large double image illustrates very clearly the speeds to be respected. Chapter 6 deals with safety and defines the different navigation areas and design categories of a boat. The mandatory arming and safety equipment is clearly indicated in a yellow insert with illustrative photos for each equipment. Chapter 7 deals with the various documents, but serves a little as a"miscellaneous" chapter with the documents necessary for navigation, the role of the skipper, the organization of rescue or the environment. Finally, Chapter 8 concerns the right to use VHF.
As with the other chapters, 8 questions test the knowledge acquired throughout the chapters.
A 10-page summary allows you to group all the important information seen throughout the code. This essential is useful for revising your code, but it is a pity that it is included in the booklet. It would have been more convenient to have a separate booklet with these 10 pages of essentials, easier to handle and transport.
A last part of various information[outside the program] brings additional information for his personal culture. Finally, the practical training[at the end of the booklet] covers the 5 main themes[which will be developed on the day of the practical examination]: boater safety, the boater's essentials, boater's responsibilities, boat operation or boat manoeuvres.
Our opinion
The Rousseau code gathers all the elements to know to pass his boat licence[and even some elements out of program]. It is written in a very synthetic and clear way, with many clear colors, well done drawings, diagrams, photos, tables. The pages are aired thanks to this mix of colors and layout[bold, italic, blue, black, green, uppercase, lowercase...]. You don't find long paragraphs, the layout prefers bullets. A"To Know" or"Memo" box allows you to find important information at a glance. The only downside to the summary found in the book[even if it is easily found thanks to its pages framed in blue]. It would have been better to have it in a book next door so you didn't have to carry the whole code.
The Rousseau Test"Coastal" option
The Rousseau test booklet consists of 14 30-question tests covering the entire code. Each series deals with a variety of issues, not a single theme.
The visual summary allowed boat"coastal option"
In addition to the summary found inside the Rousseau code, the publisher has created a small double-sided cardboard sheet that lists the main elements to know in order to pass his code. It's a very good idea, because you can have it at hand all the time and it's made in a clear and colourful way for fun learning. However, due to its double-sided format, it is not complete.
Code Rousseau coastal option available on Amazon : 14,80 €
Test Code Rousseau coastal option available on Amazon : 12,73 €
