About AB.Sailing Cruises

	Qualifications: CertEd. (A.P.U.) 94. BoT Yachtmaster. (London) 74. City and Guilds FAETC., (7307 Teaching qualification) 92. RYA recognition as a shorebased teaching school, title: AB. Sailing Cruises. 93 RYA Diesel Engine Instructors Certificate, 93. RYA Authority to test candidates for International Certificate of Competence, (I.C.C.) VHF Radio operators licence 80. GMDSS VHF DSC Short Range Certificate. Assessor's award 2001 Brian Thompson, Principal of ABSC. 54 years of practical sailing experience: Starting in 1951 using RNSA dinghies on the river Thames at Ravens Ait, Surbiton. (S.C.C.) After which continued with chartered sailing cruisers on the Norfolk Broads from 1959 to 69. Acquiring an offshore sailing cruiser in 1969, which the family based on the river Crouch, Essex. Elected Commodore of Hullbridge Y.C. from 1982 to 86. Left the Crouch in 1987, transferring to the Walton Backwaters. Elected to the finance Committee of Walton & Frinton Yacht Club 1989, designed and installed club's first computerised database, resigned from Committee Dec’ 94. Cruised continually from 1969 in a variety of boats, culminating in an award in 89 by the Cruising Association, (The C.A.) "the Dugon Cup" for best cruise in a boat up to 25ft LOA, "Walton Backwaters to Copenhagen & return". (A Wing Class sloop, named 'Kiebitz' (pictured left) designed by Colin Mudie & E.G.Van de Stadt) Brian and his wife have sailed to the Baltic on several occasions since 1989. Acquiring a new boat in 92 they sailed inside the German Ostfriesland Islands (The Wattfahrwasser) to Langeoog, via Baltram, Nordernéy and Borkum, (an area made famous in "The Riddle of the Sands" by Erskine Childers). 1994 around the Danish archipelago, via the Little Belt, Great Belt, Roskilda Fjord and the Sound. 1995 from Walton Backwaters to Sweden and return via the Göto Canal, (Mem, Slätbaken to Göteborg) logging approximately 2,250 Miles. 1997 Walton Backwaters to Norway's capital city Oslo, and back logging 2,090. Most recent Baltic cruises; 2001 & 2003 (the Danish archipelago) Since obtaining their current vessel a "Halmatic 30" (pictured right) in 1992, Brian and his wife Adela have cruised approximately 15,000nm. aboard her. Practical teaching experience 31 years. Starting in Sept' 1974 with the Inner London Education Authority (I.L.E.A. at The Lansbury Institute, Bow, London.) teaching basic navigation. Now, Tower Hamlets Adult Education, (Lifelong Learning) Teaching RYA Dayskipper and Yachtmaster Offshore Shorebased courses, and V.H.F (DSC) radio telephone and practical Diesel engine courses. Began teaching for Essex County Council at Frinton Adult Education Centre known now as the Tendring Adult Community College (TACC) from 1988 until the Government removed funding (via the L.S.C) from Adult Ed. Additionally RYA courses at Intensive level from 1993, as AB. Sailing Cruises, plus I.C.C's when required.