Yachtmaster Offshore Fast Track Programmes
RYA YACHTMASTER OFFSHORE FAST TRACK PROGRAMMES
2nd January 2017 – 15th April 2017 and 4th September 2017 – 22nd December 2017
Ondeck’s Fast Track course is built to take sailing novices through to Yacht Master Offshore with STCW & Engineering Qualifications – ideal as a stepping-stone for a career in the sailing industry.
We are based in the Caribbean on the beautiful island of Antigua, a unique place to do our Fast Track programme, as it is a hub for super yachts looking for skilled & qualified crew. Antigua & Barbuda is one of the principal yachting & sailing centres in the Caribbean.
Our Ondeck Maritime Training Centre offers the complete STCW 2010 course curriculum, while the new engineering training centre offers engineering and yacht maintenance qualifications. Our programme also involves visits to other islands/countries so not only interesting but invaluable in terms of learning customs and immigration procedures for yachts
We have a flotilla of modern 40 ft yachts plus a 65 ft training vessel – ideal for training & building your experience before working on larger private yachts. Our crew house is available to rent for the shore base courses. We also offer dinghy sailing level 1 & 2 at Sailing Academy in Falmouth, which can be taken ahead of the Fast Track course to help develop basic sailing skills & wind awareness.
The course culminates in the Yachtmaster Offshore Exam by an independent RYA Yachtmaster Examiner. This is a 10 hour practical and oral examination on all aspects of sailing a yacht in difficult circumstances. With your hard working & our experienced instructors, you can be fully prepared and confident of passing the exam.
After the course we offer agency help in finding work in the sailing industry.
These courses are timed to finish at the end of the 2017 season in April which means that delivery jobs back to Europe or North America will be plentiful. The second courses starting in September 2017 will finish in time for candidates looking for work in the Caribbean at the beginning of the busy season there.
Pre-Requisites
Before arriving in Antigua, suggest you have the following:
> ENG 1 or equivalent Medical which is a requirement for working on many yachts
> B1/B2 Visa for the USA. This allows you to sail into the US and so opens up more work opportunities
> Dinghy course – if no previous sailing experience. This can be booked at the Sailing Academy in Antigua ahead of the start of the Fast Track Course.
Course Details
Module 1 – builds a strong foundation, introducing novices to the theoretical & practical side of sailing. Acquire the qualifications & licenses to run a yacht with confidence & pursue a profession in the sailing industry.
| Module 1 | Practical | Shorebased |
| Competent Crew | 5-days | |
| STCW | 5-days | |
| Weekend Off | ||
| Day Skipper Theory | 5-days | |
| Mile and Experience Builder | 7-days | |
| Weekend Off | ||
| Day Skipper Practical | 5-days | |
| SRC | 1-day | |
| Powerboat Level 2 | 2-days |
Module 2 – builds your experience & level of skills, continually broadening the conditions & circumstances in which you get to practice handling & running the boat.
| Module 2 | Practical | Shorebased |
| Coastal Skipper Theory | 5-days | |
| Weekend Off | ||
| Coastal Skipper Practical | 5-days | |
| Distance Sail | 7-days | |
| Weekend Off | ||
| Coastal Skipper Assessment Week | 5-days | |
| Yacht Maintenence | 7-days |
Module 3 – Focus is on completing the miles required for your exam & then honing you skills so you are as prepared as you can be for the exam.
| Module 3 | Practical | Shorebased |
| Distance Sail – 65 ft training vessel | 21-days | |
| Distance Sail | 7-days | |
| Weekend Off | ||
| Yachtmaster Prep | 12-days | |
| Yachtmaster Exam | 2-days |
