Crew Training
Aim
Gain the skills and experience needed to work as a deckhand on luxury sail or motor yachts
Duration
6 weeks
Course Overview
The ideal entry route, offering the simplest and most effective way to gain employment as deckhand or crew aboard yachts of all sizes, including the largest superyachts. This course provides a stepping stone into an industry which offers a wealth of travel opportunities and experiences.
The Academy’s Crew Training programme is designed to meet the growing demand for
well-trained professional crew on luxury yachts and superyachts.
Ideal for those who are:
- Looking to begin a career in the yachting industry
- Searching for an exciting gap year option
- Seeking work during university holidays
Pre-requisite experience
If you have no experience at sea we recommend you gain your sea legs on a Yachting Orientation or Motor Yacht Induction programme.
Benefits
- Gain the skills and qualifications demanded of crew in deckhand roles. Training includes sailing, seamanship, navigation, repairs, maintenance afloat, and safety training, including first aid, sea survival and short range radio
- Gain work as deck hand or crew onboard yachts and motor yachts around the world. Possible locations include the Mediterranean, Europe, UK, Caribbean, America, Asia, Canada, New Zealand and more
Syllabus
Practical sailing
Be confident and competent in all aspects of crewing large vessels – you will gain experience sailing, crewing, watch keeping and practising seamanship skills onboard our fleet of 36-45ft yachts. Training aboard one of our 67ft Challenge Yachts enhances your training experience and provides a valuable introduction to sailing larger yachts.
Seamanship skills training
- Deck work
- Look out duties and watch keeping
- Routine maintenance, including cleaning of vessel and preparation of vessel for sea
- Tender duties
- Muster and safety routines
- Crew work for mooring, anchoring and departure
Shore-based training
Principles of boat handling and coastal navigation, rules of the road and radio training.
Care of the vessel
- Care of glass fibre, paintwork and varnish, sail repair, winch servicing, rope work, rigging
- Diesel engine maintenance and basic repairs, outboard engine maintenance
Qualifications
Successful candidates will emerge with the following list of qualifications in addition to the core areas of training:
- RYA Day Skipper Practical
- RYA Day Skipper Theory
- RYA National Powerboat Level 2
- UKSA Crew Training Certificate
- STCW 95 Basic Training
- RYA / MCA Personal Survival Techniques
- MCA Personal Safety and Social Responsibility
- MCA Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting
- MCA Elementary First Aid
- RYA Diesel Engine Maintenance
- RYA Short Range Radio