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Get instant access to 2 free
online sailing courses
Credentials
NauticEd Credentials
- Level V Captain Rank Chief Instructor/Assessor
- American National Standards Instructor/Assessor
- SLC Instructor/Assessor
- ICC Preparatory Instructor
Other Credentials
NauticEd Bareboat Charter Master Qualified Instructor
USCG 50 Ton since 1998
My personal comment and commitment to you
Growing up in a “water family” on the Chesapeake Bay, his Dad, a Champion Snipe sailor, and his Grandfather, a waterman, instilled into Alan a love of the water and boats. He placed second in his first sailboat race at the age of 8. He has sailed extensively back East on the Bay and the Sounds of North Carolina. “The creeks and bays were my backyard, my playground … my teachers”.
Alan started working on our boats part time in 1993. He started teaching full time for ISC in 1997. He is a USCG licensed captain, a Certified Instructor, and is First Aid First Response Trained. He has trained hundreds of sailors some of whom have sailed the oceans, and a few who have gone on to become instructors. He is always willing to share his wit and wisdom with his fellow sailors and beams with pride when one of his pupils sets sails on their own.
Juice up your Sailing Certificate. Take an online sailing course from NauticEd and get professional practical sailing instruction from Alan Somervell.
Feedback from previous students
The motor on the sailboat died a couple times during the course, including during docking and maneuvering, which led to some tense moments on the boat that could have been handled more professionally, but may have led to some unintended teachable moments. There were some additional tense moments and at some point each of the students was treated a little unprofessionally for making learning mistakes that didn't jeopardize the safety of the crew (e.g., confusing the direction of the tiller handle, grabbing the wrong line, or adjusting the wrong sail). Finding alternative ways to describe a task when students are confused by new terminology would be helpful in these situations and may prevent escalating the situation. That being said, Alan's knowledge base is exceptional and after some of the more tense moments were stabilized he was very approachable for questions. His passion for sailing is also apparent and he is great at encouraging students to try things out of their comfort zone
He is a all around great guy. Really friendly and know a bunch about sail boats.
The training was intense and my fellow students were of little help in making the instruction easy. I feel I could take a sailboat out with anyone of any level of skill and operate it with one sail. Adding the jib sail, I would need another competent sailor to assist the voyage.
Alan did an excellent job teaching us all aspects of sailing a small sailboat. His knowledge and tips truly helped build our confidence and ability over the course.
Alan was awesome! Very thorough and helpful. Answered all my questions and made things make sense. He made a sailor out of me! Thanks Alan!