General
How do I book?
All information for each course can be found on the website. More information is found on the downloadable ‘Info packs’ under each course. After you have all the information pertaining to the course, click on the ‘book now’ link under the course and you will then be able to email us to find out availability and course procedure.
Once you are happy that this is the course for you, complete the booking forms we send you. Upon these documents arriving (via email) to our office, we will issue an invoice that will need to be paid as per the terms and conditions laid out within.
Once payment has been received, we then send you another document about your course (i.e. where to go, what to bring, etc). This is for you to have on your first day as well as the ‘proof of payment’ document we send you.
If you are ready, click here to proceed to book
What about Accommodation?
Certified Training does not offer accommodation for any of the courses displayed on this website. But in saying this we can refer you onto well established backpackers, hostels, B & B’s, guesthouses, or hotels if needed.
Do I need my own transport to the course?
Yes. Most of our courses are located in cities’ business hub but you will need your own transport to and from our locations and venues.
Are all your courses internationally certified or RYA?
No, but the majority are. These will either be certified through the RYA body or through the local regulatory body which is a member of the International group.
Where they aren’t you will generally get a certificate of attendance/ competence.
Yachting
Which season is better or more viable to go in, the Mediterranean Or Caribbean season?
There are many opinions, but the Med season is supposedly the most profitable.
I have also heard you just go and walk the docks until a job comes up. Is this advisable? Especially Financially?
As a first timer in the yachting industry, you will most probably, not to get a placement on a yacht until you have had a face to face meeting with an agency or a Captain. So be prepared to walk the docks at first.
Walking the docks means 2 things:
Looking for day work in order to make some cash (between €80 – €120 a day), before being employed on a full time basis. (This would involve odd jobs, cleaning etc)
Making contacts (whether it be at the place where you are doing your day work, or even just meeting Captains or people along the dock.)
The majority of people going over start out with day work and then get employed by either the yacht they are doing day work for, or get referred to another yacht by that particular yacht.
The industry is all about contacts, and if you make the right ones, you might be lucky enough to get a job in a short period of time, and possibly not even have to walk the docks! But as I said, be prepared to.
What is the earning potential?
You are looking at about €1800 – €2500pm + tips.
What kind of money would I have to leave the country with?
The amount of money you should leave the country with is hard to say, but I know people who have gone over with next to nothing and found day work straight away, which kept them going until they found a permanent job. I would say, go over with at least €/$ 60 per day for 1.5 months, just in case.
Is the Powerboat level 2 course worth getting?
The industry requirements have changed over the last year or so, and entry level crew now need to have a better understanding of Superyachts and Superyacht operations. This means entry level crew need to do a series of courses in order to meet Captains/ Owners standards of employment and give them themselves a better chance of being employed.
Captains would rather hire a deckhand who also has his/her Powerboat level 2 (driving tender) than someone who just has his/her STCW 95. The more skills you have (relevant to deckhand position), the better your chances of employment are. There are a lot of guys out there trying to get the same deckhand position, so anything to put you ahead of them in terms of skills is highly valuable and will give you a big competitive edge.
What other courses would you recommend doing before going over?
Super Deckhand Course (For deckhand position)
Stewardess Course (For stewardess position)
Competent crew (Good general knowledge)
Positives about working in the Superyacht Industry
· You live and work on the world’s most luxurious yachts
· You visit the planet’s most exotic locations
· You are paid well in Euro’s or US dollars
· Possible free medical care after a qualifying period
· Free lodging and food whilst on board
· Uniforms are provided free
· Possible return flight (if on 1 year contract)
· Some weeks of annual leave (if on 1 year contract)
· You work within a team of young, like – minded people
· Excellent opportunities for advancement in the industry
Negatives about working in the Superyacht industry
· This is a job like any other. You are expected to work efficiently and at times for long hours.
· Contracts can be for minimum of 1 year
· Superyachts are big but crew accommodation is small
· You share a small living space with other people
· There is no guarantee of a job
· You need to have sufficient funds to fly to The Med or Florida and pay for some weeks of accommodation
