Hello! My name is Nojan. I’m a United States Coast Guard (USGC) Licensed Captain, an American Sailing Association (ASA) certified instructor and I’ve been sailing for over 30 years. I’ve sailed all over the world and I’m passionate about teaching others to sail and to enjoy boating to the fullest.

Through the network of schools, organizations and independent providers I work with, a wide array of resources are available to help you learn and make the most of your time on the water.

My goal is simple: meet you where you are, help you get out on the water, and get the most out of your boating dreams.

I call the Pacific Northwest home and look forward to sharing it with everyone and as a licensed captain and certified ASA instructor, safety and skill are paramount to me.

Why do licensed captains matter?

In the United States, the USCG is the governing body for all things boating.

To get a USCG license candidates must pass a series of exams which asses knowledge of safety, rules of the waterways, and navigation. The USCG requires considerable on-the-water experience before being licensed. The requirements include:

• Sea service: Have at least 360 days of boating experience, with 90 of days being within the last 3 years,
• Physical and drug tests: Pass a physical exam and participate in on-going USCG-approved drug testing to make sure we are fit for duty.
• CPR and First Aid: Have a valid CPR and First Aid certification,
• TWIC card: Have a valid Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC),
• Coast Guard-approved course: Complete a USCG-approved Master-level course and exams,

If you are hiring an instructor or captain on the water, find out if they are licensed by the USCG. If they are not, they are not operating legally, you are putting yourself and others at risk.

What is the American Sailing Association and why do these certificates matter?

The American Sailing Association was founded in 1983 with a simply stated mission: to teach people to sail safely and confidently. To achieve that goal, the ASA set out to establish standards against which to measure a sailor’s level of knowledge and skill, the first such unified standards in the U.S. to apply to sailors in keelboats.

I hold the following ASA certifications for instruction, through an acredidted school I can help you achieve the 100-level certifications. For more information, see the Instruction Page.

• ASA 201 Basic Keelboat Sailing Instructor
• ASA 203 Basic Coastal Cruising Instructor
• ASA 204 Bareboat Cruising Instructor
• ASA 205 Coastal Navigation Instructor
• ASA 206 Advanced Coastal Cruising Instructor
• ASA 214 Cruising Catamaran Sailing Instructor
• ASA 218 Docking and Maneuvering Instructor
• ASA 119 Marine Weather

What is my philosophy on instruction?

Everyone should be treated with respect and dignity. Everyone should be given the opportunity to learn and grow. Everyone should be given the opportunity to succeed. Everyone should be given the opportunity to enjoy the water and boating.

People have different learning styles and should be given the opportunity to learn in a way that works for them. People should be given the opportunity to learn at their own pace. People should be given the opportunity to learn in a way that is fun and engaging. People should be given the opportunity to learn in a way that is safe and effective.

Learning a new skill is hard work. It takes time, dedication, and practice. Being out on the water can be taxing on the body and the mind, between the new sensations, the physical exertion, the mental focus, and the weather conditions. It will not always be easy, but it will always be worth it if we pace ourselves, take care of each other, and enjoy the journey.