Advanced Courses

Once you have sea time behind you, the next certificates decide how far you go. Most have entry requirements and some have timing rules, so the order you take them in matters.

Get the timing wrong and you can lose months waiting for a certificate you could have had sooner.

5 days, MCA approved

Ropework, mooring and anchoring, deck equipment, steering and watchkeeping, assessed by written exam and practical demonstration. It meets Merchant Navy standards for all vessel types, not just yachts.

Officer track

Trains you to take charge of a navigational watch, covering navigation, safety and operational procedures on the bridge. The core step for anyone moving onto the officer track.

3 days, MCA approved

For crew stepping into leadership roles. Learn to organise abandon-ship procedures, take command of survival craft and coordinate rescue operations at sea. Fast rescue boats aren’t covered.

5 days, IMO compliant

Hands-on training with the electronic chart systems now standard on most commercial vessels and larger yachts. You’ll need it to progress from OOW to Chief Mate and Master 500gt/3000gt.

Up to 200gt, coastal

A commercial qualification to command yachts up to 200 gross tons within coastal limits. Our Knysna centre currently offers the theory week only.

Up to 200gt, worldwide

Builds on the Limited certificate. It removes the coastal restriction, so you can command yachts up to 200 gross tons anywhere in the world.

500gt to 3000gt