Think this could be the best job in the world but don’t have the necessary experience or qualifications to attend Skipper Academy?
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 professional Skipper for more than 6 weeks and hold an EU passport? Then email Info@quarterdeck.co and we may be able to fast track 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.
Apply Now
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. Apply to academy and upload a document showing when you will complete your course. We will assess your experience. Please fill out your “work experience” section thoroughly so that we understand your background!
No Sailing Experience
It is possible to go from zero-to-hero in a short period of time but it will require both talent and hard work. Please apply to the Sailing Academy first, followed up by a skipper academy the week after. Note: Even with 2 weeks of intensive training it’s not guaranteed that we will approve you as a professional skipper. Please train as much sailing and yacht handing as possible before you commence our academies.
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. Many of them started with a Yachtmaster fast-track program. More information on the RYA Yachtmaster (you will need a skipper license before being accepted to our Sailing Academy)
Read more about Sailing Academy
Preferred Skipper Licences
UK
Royal Yachting Association
RYA Yachtmaster (Sail) 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)
Sjöbefäl klass 8 i kombination med mycket god seglingvana och goda båtkunskaper.
USA
American Sailing AssociationAmerican 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)