BECOME PROFESSIONAL SKIPPER

PROFESSIONAL SKIPPER TRAINING COURSE

Master the Skills for a Career in Chartering

This Professional Skipper Program is specifically designed for individuals who aspire to work as professional skippers within the charter industry. Built on over 20 years of hands-on experience from our expert instructors, this course covers all the essential knowledge and skills needed to succeed as a professional skipper in the competitive charter market.

Program Overview:

The full course spans two weeks, providing a deep dive into both cruiser and performance sailing boats, as well as catamarans. Students will also experience sailing on a Farr 30 racing boat, introducing them to sailing sports and regattas—an invaluable skill set for any professional skipper.

What You'll Learn:

• Onboard Organization & Daily Duties: From day one, students will become familiar with the complete organization on the boat, including daily responsibilities such as cleaning, cooking, and managing the general upkeep of the vessel.

• Technical Boat Skills:

• Boat Familiarization: Get to know every part of the boat—essential for smooth operations on the water.

• Maneuvering: Learn to dock, undock, and handle the boat in various conditions.

• Anchor Handling: Master the proper use and storage of the anchor.

• Navigational Skills: VHF Radio Communication: Understand proper communication protocols for safety and coordination. Terrestrial Navigation: Read and interpret nautical charts for effective route planning.

• Sailing Laws & Meteorology: Learn the rules of sailing and understand weather patterns for better decision-making.

• Sail Trim & Handling: Jib, Main Sail, Spinnaker, and Gennaker trimming techniques for optimal performance.

• Rope Handling & Knot Tying: Learn how to handle lines and make essential knots for various sailing maneuvers.

• Marine Engine Basics: Gain fundamental knowledge of marine engines for troubleshooting and basic maintenance.

• Safety and Regulations: In-depth training in safety protocols on board. International regulations for preventing collisions at sea and managing man overboard situations.

• Charter Procedures: Learn how to manage check-in and check-out processes in the charter industry, including boat inspections and customer service essentials.

Why Choose This Program?

With over two decades of experience as professional skippers in the charter industry, our instructors bring unparalleled real-world knowledge to the classroom. Their expertise ensures that you receive hands-on, practical training that goes beyond theory, preparing you for the challenges of a professional skipper's role.

This course is designed to equip you with both the technical skills and practical experience you need to excel in the competitive charter industry. By the end of the program, you’ll not only have the confidence to handle a wide range of vessels, but also the insight into industry best practices, making you ready to launch or advance your career as a professional skipper.

Become a Professional Skipper: A Comprehensive Course

Our Become a Professional Skipper course is designed to provide a well-rounded education, combining both theoretical and practical elements to ensure that participants are fully prepared for a career as a professional skipper.

Course Structure:

The program is structured to ensure a seamless integration between theory and practice. The larger theoretical component runs parallel to the practical lessons, providing a solid foundation in topics such as:

History and Geography of the Adriatic Coast
Nautical Tourism in Croatia
Skipper License Exam Preparation: Everything you need to know to pass the exam and gain your skipper license for commercial boat operation.

A critical focus of the course is also on the service aspect of being a skipper. Participants will learn the importance of client relationships, along with the obligations and responsibilities expected from a professional skipper.

Key Highlights of the Program:

Safety on Board: The course places significant emphasis on safety, ensuring students are well-versed in best practices for handling any emergency situation at sea.
Practical Training: Students will spend as much time as possible at the helm, practicing critical maneuvers and boat handling techniques. Special attention is given to docking in various marina conditions, which is a vital skill for any professional skipper.
Digital Documentation: To enhance the learning experience, the practical sessions will be documented using GoPro cameras, drones, and digital cameras, so students can capture unforgettable moments and review their skills. This also ensures that every student receives personalized feedback on their performance.

The Final Exam & Certification:

The course culminates in a final exam, consisting of both a theoretical and practical portion. Upon successful completion, participants will receive:

Certificate of Completion from our program.
Membership in our Sailing Club.
Opportunities for Employment in the charter industry.
Special Discounts for boat rentals from our charter fleet.

Why is This Program Unique?

We believe our Become a Professional Skipper course stands out for several reasons:

Comprehensive curriculum that covers both technical and customer-service skills.
Hands-on experience with a focus on real-world practice.
Cutting-edge documentation through digital tools like drones and GoPro cameras to enhance learning and create lasting memories.
Support for career development, from receiving your skipper license to access to charter industry opportunities.

By the end of the course, you will not only have the knowledge and skills to operate boats for commercial purposes but also a unique set of experiences and certifications that will set you apart in the competitive world of maritime tourism.

Single boat docking at a marina with hills and town in the distance

DAILY SHEDULE

• 09:00 a.m. Breakfast on board
• 10:00 a.m. Theoretical lecture
• 11:00 a.m. Practical classes at sea
• 01:00 p.m. Lunch break
• 02:00 p.m. Practical classes at sea
• 06:00 p.m. Arrival in marina
• 08:00 p.m. Dinner

BASE: Marina Mandalina-Šibenik, World Yachting main office

CHECK IN: Saturday from 4 p.m.
CHECK OUT: Friday till 16 p.m.

SAILING BOAT : Elan GT, Hanse 50, Bali 4.1, FARR 30

DURATION: 14 days

ACCOMMODATION: During all 14 days the attendees will be situated on the boat - 20 overnight stays.

MEALS;

• Breakfast on board-team preparing breakfast
• Lunch on board - lunch package or team cooking - (simple food cooked on broad)
• Dinners are organized as follows -in the local taverns or on the boat-team cooking

MINIMUM NUMBER OF ATENDEES: 5

LANGUAGES: English, Croatian

PRICE

PER PERSON: 3300.00 €

PRICE INCLUDES:

• 14 Days course program, theory and practical
• Professional Instructor, Lectures
• Sailing Yacht age: 2018 - 2023, size: 44 - 50 ft (Monohull)
• 4 x Double Cabins Onboard
• Accomodation Onboard
• Bed Linen + Towels Included
• Gas for the Galley
• Safety Equipment
• Final Cleaning
• Course Materials
• Final Exam
• Fuel
• Marina Fee
• Toourist Tax
• VAT

PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE

• Food and Beverages
• 2 Passport size colored photographs
• Personal Insurance

NOTE

After successful completion of the course and examination at the Harbour Office, candidates will receive a international Boat Leader’s License Category C, a issued by the Ministry of the Sea, Transport and Infrastructure of Republic of Croatia.
*This licence is recognized worldwide.