Alan Somervell

Porrtland, Oregon USA

Level V Captain Rank Chief Sailing Instructor / Assessor

Rated 4.78/5 by 68 students
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.

Credentials

NauticEd Credentials

Student Star Rated Student Star Rated
American National Standards Instructor/Assessor American National Standards Instructor/Assessor
SLC Instructor/Assessor SLC Instructor/Assessor
  • 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 Certified Instructor

Associated practical schools

Training and assessment

Practical Training Courses

International License Training/Assessment

CONTACT WITH QUESTIONS OR TO SCHEDULE TRAINING

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alan@islandsailingclub.com
503 285-7765

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Feedback from previous students

Tom F., USA at 2018, Oct 16
Practical Competence of Skipper Rank
Lot of information perhaps another day would be helpful
Russell K., USA, OR, Troutdale at 2018, Aug 21
Practical Competence of Skipper Rank
The class was great. Alan did an amazing job getting us all to not just perform sailing tasks but think about why we were doing them. Learning about sailing is my first goal, not just getting a certificate. Alan made that happen.
Anita M., USA, WA, Camas at 2018, Aug 22
Practical Competence of Skipper Rank
Great instructor. Very patient and willing to help me learn at my pace
Jacob R., USA, OR, Portland at 2018, Aug 24
Practical Competence of Skipper Rank
Alan threw all kinds of interesting scenarios at us!
Christopher B., USA, OR, Portland at 2018, Aug 20
Practical Competence of Skipper Rank
Tammie K., USA, OR, Portland at 2018, Oct 01
Practical Competence of Skipper Rank
Alan is an excellent sailor. Great course.
Karen H., USA, OR, Bend at 2018, Jun 11
Practical Competence of Skipper (small keelboat) Rank
I have had many instructors of numerous topics, including various sports, over many years (50+). While I feel I learned a great deal in this 2 day course with the pre-course online instruction as well as during the course, I have to honestly say I don't think I have ever had such a poor instructor. He was unable to speak in full sentences. He was unable to clearly and briefly explain to the students what we were about to do and how it was to be executed. He was unable to call his 4 students by name even by the end of Day 2 when giving commands making it difficult to tell who was suppose to do what. While we had calm winds and were never in a threatening situation, each of us was yelled at by this instructor numerous times during the 2 day course. I have sailed and raced a single laser, years ago. I have sailed 2-person small keel boats with another crew member and know that when racing, the skipper may 'shout out' a command to the crew member to enhance the racing experience, but n
Mike L., USA, OR, Sublimity at 2018, Jun 24
Practical Competence of Skipper (small keelboat) Rank
We were fortunate in that the others in our group didn’t show up. Alan really gave us serious practical instruction/experience that I feel I can use successfully. Great teacher and I’d recommend him for anyone learning how to sail.
Kyle B., USA at 2018, May 03
Practical Competence of Skipper Rank
Mark N., USA, OR, Portland at 2018, May 04
Practical Competence of Skipper Rank
Showing 1 - 10 of last 68 reviews.