The Super Yacht Deckhand Course
The course covers items such as daywork, dockwalking, visas, crew agents, placement, career development, guest interaction. Course completion certificates, Seaman’s discharge books, training record books for future training, first reference. Training on 35 meter yachts at the V&A Waterfront, Cape Town.
Duration: Every second week of every month for a total of three days.
Cost: R 4 500.00
The good news is: former industry experts are available to assist new crew getting into the industry. The jobs on board the yachts have been broken down put into practical training simulations. For any deck crew wanting the perfect start into the industry, this training is the logical starting point.
This Super Yacht Training Course is held on the 35 meter Super Yacht Kiara and various Princess Yachts in the V & A Waterfront. Crew receives their first induction on board a Motor Yacht, as well as their first reference for Day work into the industry. The course covers every aspect of a deckhand’s job on board, as well as interesting topics specific to Super Yachting – such as Daywork, dock walking, visas, crew agents, placement, career development, guest interaction, etc.
The course is made up of various sections – practical maintenance, theory – and the focus is to give entry level deck crew into the industry the practical experience needed to step on board their new vessel as professional, informed crew right from the start.
Crew will learn how to assess damaged super-structure and begin the repair process, starting with damage control and protection of surrounding areas, application of anti-corrosive primers and fillers, all the way to applying the polyurethane Topcoat on the super structure. Another major part of the maintenance section of the course focuses on woodwork and varnishing skills. Once again, it is enforced to the students that the Yachts are worth Millions of Dollars and they must apply themselves accordingly. Protection of surrounding areas, correct taping up, knowledge of sandpaper, sanding with the grain, staying inside taped up areas, are only but a few skills that are enhanced during this section of the course. An important factor to mention is that the students are under continuous supervision by the course instructors. They are also given constant advice and helpful tips throughout the course. Introduction to various products used on board.
The deckhand’s job description includes various cleaning duties – such as: Washing down the vessel, polishing stainless and cleaning the decks. Although they sound simple enough, there are very specific techniques involved in all of these tasks. Students are taught to complete these in a professional and correct manner. Anchoring procedures, line handling, lifting and dropping of tenders by means of hydraulic equipment, as well as handling water toys and Guest Interaction are discussed and practiced during the course.
Safe and correct principles of Tender (speed boat/rubber duck) driving is a huge part of a deckhand’s duty on board. Therefore we practice close-quarter manoeuvres, as well as other operations during the course. As seen above, the use of a spring line to bring the tender alongside the swimming platform (in any sort of sea conditions) are discussed and practiced in detail. Special attention is also paid to on-board communication and anticipating guest needs.
We also focus on safe Wakeboarding and waterskiing procedures and skills. Once again, emphasis is placed on all possible practical and theoretical information with regards to hand signalling, pulling guests out the water, safety and techniques.
We want to provide the industry with an all-rounded professional deckhand. For this reason, the final module of the SYT course is: line handling, anchoring procedures, the use of Capstans, stoppers and correct fendering of the vessel during manoeuvres.
The students are brought up to speed on board M/Y Kiara with regards to correct anchoring procedures. This includes: Hand signals and communication, engaging or disengaging of the clutch, the location of the chain locker and anchor wash, hoisting the anchor ball, as well as lifting and dropping the anchor at night with correct communication with regard to shackle markings, the tension and lead on the anchor chain.
Navigation and radar duties are also simulated on Board M/Y Foreplay in the V&A marina. Here the radar simulation and deckhands watch keeping duties are built upon so crew know exactly what is expected when it comes to doing a safe watch as a new Watch keeper. Main topics include …setting up bridge and equipment for day and night watch, radar orientation and settings, target acquiring and monitoring, guard zones, VRM, EBL and Chart plotting.
This course runs every second week of every month for a total of three days. Students receive a Refresher Manual, as well as course completion certificates, seaman’s discharge books (for SA Passport Holders only), Crew portfolio’s (including CV’s and Business cards), training record
books for future training, as well as their first Super Yacht reference from M/Y Kiara.
