All crew who want to work on a commercial vessel, including Superyachts, must hold an ENG1 Medical. We recommend you complete the ENG1 Medical before the start of your course, as it confirms you are fit to go to sea. However, it is not a booking condition, so you can book your course without it.

• STCW Basic Safety Training
• MCA Proficiency in Designated Security Duties (PDSD) course
• RYA Powerboat Level 2
• Two days aboard a functioning vessel covering: 
  • Motorboat Handling
  • Lines, fenders and mooring protocol
  • Digital navigation
  • Vessel management and crew skills
• RYA Personal Watercraft Course (PWC)
• RYA VHF Radio
• Ropework, essential knots, and splicing
• Maintenance day, teak work, repairs, washdowns, cleaning the stainless yacht maintenance
• Careers Support Package
  • CV Clinic, industry guidance, and mentoring with one of our experts
  • Industry preparation with one of our experts
  • Antibes career event
• Small student groups for a personal approach and one-to-one time

You must be 18 years old or older to train with Flying Fish.

The course is suitable for complete beginners or those with experience who are looking to work as a Deckhand on a commercial yacht.

To work on a Superyacht you will need to complete an ENG1 Medical and we recommend you complete this prior to the start of your course, though this is not essential.

The course comprises fun, action-packed practical and theory exercises that will gain you certificates required to work as a Deckhand onboard a Superyacht.

Here is an overview of the course structure:

Week 1 – STCW Basic Safety Training

STCW Basic Safety Training is a compulsory set of qualifications for ALL crew who work on Superyachts. This six-day course is made up of several elements.

Fire Fighting, Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities (PSSR), Sea Survival, Elementary First Aid, and Security Awareness.

Week 2 – The day job

The next week is spent learning new skills you will need as a Deckhand.

VHF Radio Operators Course – 1 day

RYA Radio VHF Short Range Certificate (GMDSS/DSC) teaches you marine radio techniques and emergency procedures.

Proficiency in Designated Security Duties (PDSD)

PDSD is for crew members required to perform a security-related duty onboard a yacht over 500 Gross Tonnes. The one-day, MCA-approved course provides the essential training to enable you to perform your role onboard.

Motorboat course – 1 day

You spend a day on our 40′ motorboat learning vital skills, from driving a twin-engine boat to all the knots, terminology, anchoring, picking up mooring buoys, navigation, and so much more.

Ropework course – 1 day

Here you will learn more advanced knots. We will show you how to splice braided and three-strand rope and tie a soft shackle!

RYA Diesel Engine Maintenance – 1 day

Many Superyacht tenders will have inboard diesel engines, so understanding the basics is a great idea. The course teaches you how an engine, fuel, water, and cooling system works. You will also learn how to keep the engine healthy, fault finding, and common problems.

Yacht maintenance – 1 day

We will be onboard one of our yachts, getting to know the products and cleaning techniques used on a Superyacht, how to clean the yacht, stainless steel, windows, and polishing. You will learn how to clean teak and how to maintain the yacht to a high standard.

RYA Powerboat Level 2 Course – 2 days

The crew will need RYA Powerboat level two to drive the yacht’s tenders. This is a great fun, practical course, awesome fun and

PWC (Jet Ski) course – 1 day

This practical, exciting course will teach you all there is to know about Jet Skis and how to use one safely. Jet Skis are often found on luxury yachts, and it’s the crew’s job to know how to use the toys!

Exclusive Career Support Service

Our Careers Support Service is exclusively for customers enrolled onto our Deck and Steward/ess course. We will guide you through all the details about working on a yacht, from paying tax to bank accounts, salary guides, your role onboard, and how to write a yachting CV.

We appreciate that taking the next step is a big decision, so we have partnered with Ideal4Finance to help you to train for your future career with ease. With no obligation and a quick and simple application process, what have you got to loose?

Flying Fish UK Ltd is an introducer appointed representative of Ideal Sales Solutions Ltd T/A Ideal4Finance. Ideal Sales Solutions is a credit broker and not a lender (FRN 703401). Finance available subject to status. The rate offered is always provisional and will depend upon your personal circumstances, the loan amount and term.