offshore sailing academy

Zero to Hero - Coastal Skipper

Upcoming Courses
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Overview

  • Duration: 28 days – 08:30 to 15:30/16:00 daily.
    • 8 days Yacht Hand Course & Day Skipper Course
    • 10 Days sailing sessions and night approaches
    • 4 days Coastal Skipper exams Preparation + 2 days exams
    • 1 day SRC radio course
    • 3 – 4 days Off / study days
  • Price: R 46 000.00
  • Other costs outside Offshore Sailing Academy: R 3 200.00 SA Sailing exam fees. Approximately R 3 200.00 for the SRC radio course depending on where you do this.
  • Required Experience: None
  • Age: 16 and older
  • Note: In order to qualify for our Coastal Skipper course you will need to pass the Ishihara colour vision examination and have a first aid level 1 certificate.

Course Curriculum

We have put this course together for the more serious sailor – someone that would like to add a sailing qualifications to their CV before heading overseas to look for employment onboard vessels. This course is also popular with boat owners that have the time to do it all in one go. The coastal course is also great for people looking at entering the charter or vessel delivery industry. Even if you have never sailed before the Zero to Hero course is a 28/29-day course covering all the theory and navigation from the beginning (yacht crew) up to coastal skipper level.

In short it is an all-inclusive course taking you from a novice sailor to a competent coastal skipper. Below a rough outline of what we need to achieve during the course and to make sure we meet the SA Sailing requirements for coastal skipper which is as follows:

  • Minimum of 800nm logged.
  • 24 night hrs on watch.
  • 3 coastal passages of more than 60nm each.
  • 3 night entries into a port.

The below is just an idea of what need to be covered in no particular order as this will only be decided closer to the time and we are a little flexible to change plans as the weather changes and weather windows open up especially for the mileage passages – usually to Richards bay and back to Durban. Last day usually finishes by 13:00. A few off/study days will be allocated during the period depending on weather windows and progress.

  • Yacht hand and day skipper course =  8 days
  • 4 x Coastal passage of at least 90 to 100nm each = 8 days (might be less days depending on weather)
  • SRC radio course = 1 day
  • Overnight sail 120nm = 2 days
  • Coastal exam prep and mileage building sails (theory and navigation) = 4 days
  • Coastal skipper exams = 2 Days
  • 3 to 4 days Off/study days
  • Total days = 28/29

Total cost including course fees, SRC radio and exam fees: R 46 000.00

  • Price: R 35 000.00 per person – excludes accommodation, meals, and costs outside Offshore Sailing Academy.
  • Cost including meals and accommodation onboard the yacht: R 39 500.00 – 2 Meals per day for 15 days from Royal Natal Yacht Club or Point Yacht Club – drinks to own account. All food for the passages are excluded as we usually do this together and split the bill between the crew. (usually around R 500.00 per person per passage)
  • Other costs outside Offshore Sailing Academy: R 3 200.00 SA Sailing exam fees. Approximately R 3 200.00 for the SRC radio course depending on where you do this.

Certification

On successful completion you will get your:

  • SA Sailing Coastal skippers ticket – allowing you to sail by day and night up to 40nm from shore on coastal passages as the skipper of the vessel. (you can also apply for the ICC ticket at the same time if you wish.)
Upcoming Courses
Day Skipper-A group of friends with beaming smiles enjoys a sunny day sailing off the coast of Durban, South Africa. The sparkling ocean and clear blue sky provide a picturesque backdrop as they share laughter.

Intro to sailing

Sailing Academy Durban a close up of ropes and the ocean a black and white photo

Yacht Crew Course

Sailing Academy Durban- the view of a Sail and a yacht and in the background blue ocean and blue sky a stunning day on the Indian ocean

Day Skipper Course

Sailing Academy Durban- a stunning light blue to pink Durban Sunset on the Indian ocean

Combo Course

Yacht Hand and Day Skipper: A divers group of Students engaged in intensive training, mastering the skills required for both yacht hand and skipper roles. The image reflects the structured and comprehensive nature of offshore sailing academy's course curriculum.

Coastal Skipper Course

Sailing Academy Durban- a stunning light blue to pink Durban Sunset on the Indian ocean

Coastal Skipper – Zero to Hero