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Pre-Academy Pathways

No matter your level of expertise, there is a clear pathway to help you reach your sailing goals and teach you the necessary skills required to attend Skipper Academy.

Contact us for advice if you have any uncertainties regarding qualifications or schemes.

Experienced Flotilla Skipper

Have you already worked as a Flotilla Skipper for more than 6 weeks and hold an EU passport? Then email conor.b@quarterdeck.co and we may be able to fasttrack your application.

Experienced with Licence

Could you sail before you could walk? If you are an experienced sailor who already holds one of our Preferred Skipper Licences (see below), then you are ready to Apply Now. Simply upload your Sailing CV, Cover Letter, passport and Licences. 

Experienced without Licence

Are you a salty sea dog? Is an official qualification the only thing stopping you from having the best job in the world? Usually, the transition from keelboats to yachts is easy for experienced keelboat sailors. If you have any experience sailing keelboats, it isn’t a big leap to yachting. If you have been sailing for a few years you may only need a week or two of practice to fine-tune your yacht handling and obtain the necessary licence. You'll want to find a school that runs short week-long courses that will prepare you for academy by getting familiar with handling yachts under power and obtaining a recognised licence. Email conor.b@quarterdeck.co with your sailing experience to see if you’d be eligible for this option. 

No Sailing Experience

It is possible to go from zero-to-hero in a short period of time but it will require a significant financial investment and 8+ weeks of intensive sailing and study. Please contact our partner schools below, they will find a suitable program to help you reach your goals. 

As a skipper you will be responsible for the safety and wellbeing of up to twelve guests. It is essential that you are both a confident sailor and able to handle a yacht under any weather conditions. It's not always sunshine, ocean breeze, and tan lines – storms can roll in quickly, yachts can break, emergencies can happen and you must be prepared. It's not easy starting with no experience. With the right drive and determination, not only can it be done but you're guaranteed to find it an incredibly rewarding journey. Some of our best skippers came from the corporate world, quit their jobs, and have since been sailing the world. It all started with a Yachtmaster fast-track program. More information on the RYA Yachtmaster

Experienced Flotilla Skipper

Have you already worked as a Flotilla Skipper for more than 6 weeks and hold an EU passport? Then email conor.b@quarterdeck.co and we may be able to fasttrack your application.

Experienced with Licence

Could you sail before you could walk? If you are an experienced sailor who already holds one of our Preferred Skipper Licences (see below), then you are ready to Apply Now. Simply upload your Sailing CV, Cover Letter, passport and Licences. 

Experienced without Licence

Are you a salty sea dog? Is an official qualification the only thing stopping you from having the best job in the world? Usually, the transition from keelboats to yachts is easy for experienced keelboat sailors. If you have any experience sailing keelboats, it isn’t a big leap to yachting. If you have been sailing for a few years you may only need a week or two of practice to fine-tune your yacht handling and obtain the necessary licence. You'll want to find a school that runs short week-long courses that will prepare you for academy by getting familiar with handling yachts under power and obtaining a recognised licence. Email conor.b@quarterdeck.co with your sailing experience to see if you’d be eligible for this option. 

No Sailing Experience

It is possible to go from zero-to-hero in a short period of time but it will require a significant financial investment and 8+ weeks of intensive sailing and study. Please contact our partner schools below, they will find a suitable program to help you reach your goals. 

As a skipper you will be responsible for the safety and wellbeing of up to twelve guests. It is essential that you are both a confident sailor and able to handle a yacht under any weather conditions. It's not always sunshine, ocean breeze, and tan lines – storms can roll in quickly, yachts can break, emergencies can happen and you must be prepared. It's not easy starting with no experience. With the right drive and determination, not only can it be done but you're guaranteed to find it an incredibly rewarding journey. Some of our best skippers came from the corporate world, quit their jobs, and have since been sailing the world. It all started with a Yachtmaster fast-track program. More information on the RYA Yachtmaster

Preferred Skipper Licences

Country

Authority

Qualification

UK

Royal Yachting Association

RYA Yachtmaster Coastal or Offshore

Italy

Uffici delle Capitanerie di porto

Patente per imbarcazione da diporto (unità di lunghezza superiore a 24 mt)

Germany

Deutscher SegelVerband

Internationales zertifikat für führer von sport und freizeitfahrzeugen in alle küstengewässern

Poland

Polski związek zeglarski

Kapitan jachtowy

Slovenia

Ministrstvo za promet, Uprava Republike Slovenije za pomorstvo

Poveljnik jahte z bruto tonažo do 500 BT

Norway

Sjøfartsdirektoratet

Fritidsbätskippersertifikat/Deck Officer Class 5 Pleasure (D5LA)

Sweden

Nämnden för Båtlivsutbildning (NFB)

Utsjöskeppar-Intyg or Seglarintyg 3

USA

American Sailing Association

ASA106 & ASA118

Spain

Dirección General de la Marina Mercante

Capitán de yate

New Zealand

Coastguard

Coastal Skipper or Ocean Yachtmaster

Portugal

Instituto Porutuário e dos Transportes Marítimos (IPTM)

A CARTA DE NAVEGADOR DE RECREIRO (Patrão de alto mar) Patrão de alto mar

Ireland

Irish Sailing Association

ISA Yachtmaster Coastal or Offshore

Denmark

Søfartsstyrelsen (Danish Maritime Authority)

YACHT MASTER 3rd CLASS of YACHT MASTER 1st CLASS

Worldwide

Recognised Licenses In Croatia

Recognised Skipper Licences (Click Here)