Pursuing a career in sailing or simply an enthusiast? Our courses will equip you!
Pre-Sea Sailing Course - 6 months
Part 1: Pre-Sea
Learners begin their pre-sea journey with physical fitness and mental health activities. Selected Theoretical modules will be completed as part of your classroom time focusing on Teamwork, Communication and Mathematical Skills. Maritime Geography and Ship Design are included to widen your scope of employment.
Part 2: Competent Crew (Deck Hand and Day Skipper)
Deck Hand includes practical training - basic seamanship, rope-work, sail handling, keeping a lookout and day-to-day handling of a yacht. Bridge watchkeeping duties, cargo handling and stowing, assisting with shipboard operations - maintenance and repairs, mooring, towing, berthing, and anchoring, security duties and collision regulations, IALA buoyage system, including day shapes, sound signals and ships lights, and an introduction to navigation. You will learn how to steer a yacht, put up and operate the sails, become familiar with nautical terms, and learn how to live on a yacht.
You will assist in recovery of a sailor overboard, operate flares and use life jackets, harnesses, and life rafts. Includes Basic diesel engine checks, services and fault finding. Servicing of winches, polishing stainless steel, advanced knots, rope splicing.
On completion of the Competent Crew program, you will sail over 100 nautical miles, experience at least 4-night hours of sailing, visiting the harbours of the Durban and Richards Bay.
This will ensure that you can function as a confident and competent member of any sailing crew.
Part 3: STCW Safety at Sea Training
STCW Basic Safety Training course is the legal minimum requirement for anyone looking for commercial work aboard vessels, including working on Superyachts and Cruise ships. If you are planning to work on a Superyacht, it is required that you complete the STCW 10 course. For offshore work, such as working on oil rigs, you will also need to complete the STCW 10 course. The STCW 10 modules are valid for a period of 5 years.
Part 4: SRC/VHF License
The Marine Radio Short Range Certificate is a one-day course that caters for anyone who owns or operates a fixed/handheld marine VHF radio. This certificate is required by law if you operate a VHF radio fitted with Digital Selective Calling (DSC). The course can be completed before or after attending the Competent Crew: Day Skipper programme, however, we recommend completion as soon as possible, since this is a prerequisite to SA Sailing issuing your Skipper’s ticket.
The course includes:
The basics of radio operation
The correct frequencies (channels) are to be used.
Distress, emergency, and medical assistance procedures
Making ship-to-shore telephone calls.
Digital Service Calling (DSC) using simulators.
Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS)
Emergency Position including Radio Beacons (EPIRB)
Search and Rescue (SART)