Yacht Crew Training in Winter

With now imminent arrival of the winter, the yachting scene in the Med slows down, but a lot of behind-the-scenes preparation happens to get ready for the next busy summer season. Some yachts migrate to warmer regions like the Caribbean to continue operations, others get hauled out of the water or kept docked with extra precautions. Shipyards get busy with maintenance, repairs, and refits, and crew either get some downtime or update and upgrade their qualifications.

To be well prepared for the new season, we often recommend crew that they check their current STCW certificates and see if they are about to expire or will expire right at the start of the season. In accordance with the amendments to the STCW Convention, seafarers are required to update their STCW basic certification every 5 years. To avoid any disappointment and rush, if your certificates expire, enroll on a 2-day Refresher (Updated Proficiency in Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting & Personal Survival Techniques) course and have your minimum qualifications up-to-date.

Upcoming STCW Refresher courses with Seascope France:

• 14-15 November 2024
• 12-13 December 2024
• 16-17 January 2025
• 30-31 January 2025

More dates are available in February, March, April & March.

For yacht deckhands and engineers aiming at OOW, Master and Engineer OOW (MEOL), winter break offers the time to spend on long courses like RYA Yachtmaster Offshore and STCW Advanced Fire Fighting. Yachtmaster course may last up to 12 days if you want to take it as a ‘theory + practical + exam’ package. It is possible to take the theory part online, but bear in mind that for OOW Certificate your exam must be be invigilated in formal classroom conditions at a recognized RYA Training Center. STCW Advanced Fire Fighting course takes 4 full days to complete with 2 days in the classroom and two days of practical activities in the fire ground. Seascope France has its fire ground next to Nice, within 30 mins drive from its classroom in Antibes, and provides transportation both ways and on both days.

STCW Advanced Fire Fighting schedule:

• 05-08 November 2024  (only 1 place left)
• 10-13 February 2025

Yachtmaster Offshore (Motor) schedule:

• 06-11 November – Shorebased Theory
• 12-15 November – YMO Practical & Exam

• 15-20 January 2025 – Shorebased Theory
• 21-24 January 2025 – YMO Practical & Exam

More dates for YMO are available from February through May.

All the way till the end of November, Seascope France will also run RYA Powerboat Level 2 course which can be coupled with PWC/Jet Ski at a package price.

RYA Powerboat Level 2 dates:

• 24-25 October – 1 place left
• 28-29 October
• 31 October -1 November
• 4-5 November
• 11-12 November
• 18-19 November
• 25-26 November

RYA Powerboat + PWC/Jet Ski pack:

• 23-25 October – 1 place left
• 4-6 November – 1 place left

All our courses and packages can be booked directly online or via email training@seascopefrance.com.