Yacht training is available for both individuals and professionals, with programs ranging from basic terminology and maintenance to advanced sailing techniques and professional certifications. Courses can be found at yacht clubs, boating centers, and independent companies, and certification agencies maintain lists of accredited courses.
Yacht training is commonly offered at a variety of venues, including boat clubs and nautical training institutes. Programs come in many varieties. Some are intended to help new yacht owners learn to operate their boats, while others are designed to train engineers and boat captains how to operate yachts for profit. Most yacht training programs for individuals are informational only, while most of those geared towards professionals end with some sort of certification or completion credential.
If you are a yacht owner and want to receive training in how to operate and care for your vessel, an individually guided yacht training course is probably best. Your yacht club or boathouse may offer this type of course, but if not, they will likely be able to direct you to different boat training programs in your area. Experienced yachtsmen sometimes offer consultancy-based training, and many community boating associations run regular courses in boat safety and boating basics.
Training programs vary somewhat in format and scope. Most often they are taught in groups. Participants will learn together about basic yacht terminology as well as the fundamentals of sailing, understanding yacht controls and routine maintenance. More advanced courses deal with wind speed, storm preparedness and sailing without modern sailing techniques. Some yacht clubs and boating centers also offer courses geared towards children or the avid yachtsman, so boating can be more of a family affair.
It is also sometimes possible to get individual yacht training on board your vessel. This type of training is usually provided by yacht specialists or sailing masters and is typically charged at an hourly rate. Sessions can be as in-depth or as basic as you like, and the curriculum is usually built around your questions.
Many of the world’s largest yachts are commercially operated or owned by individuals wealthy enough to employ full-time staff. The yacht training required for these employees is often very different from that offered to individuals. Professional-oriented programs are generally much more structured and many lead to professional certifications in most cases. Yacht owners often want evidence of a potential employee’s credentials and formal education before hiring them to live aboard.
Yacht training programs aimed at professionals are usually offered by independent companies or boating schools that specialize in preparing people for careers on boats. These courses are usually offered in academic classrooms and on board ships and usually involve a lot of practical and demonstrative work. Different courses are generally available for those wanting to become captains, deckhands, doctors, safety officers and more.
Virtually any yacht position has a corresponding training and certification course. Certification agencies – which are often government bodies – often maintain lists of all accredited yacht training courses offered in a given area. Contacting your local certification board is one of the best ways to locate training courses that may be available to you.
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