THE WHITSUNDAY MARINE  ACADEMY

CRUISING & LEARNING (Live-aboard)

All the fun of the Whitsundays on a crewed overnight sailing adventure plus a Y.A. (Yachting Australia)


Introductory Course -  (1 day or 3 day/2 night)
A fun pratical course to introduce participants to the overall running of a yacht and it's parts, with an appreciation of safety and regulations. The beginner will be active in all areas on the boat with attention on how to use the equipment during basic manoeuvres. 


Traditional Introductory Course - (3 day/2 night or 3 day/3 night )
Very similar to the Introductory course above but with focus on the old-world skills associated with the sailing of traditionally rigged timber Tallships. Learn to haul the peak halyard & belay that sheet on one of our three unique Australian timber tallships.


Competent Crew/International Crew Course  -  (3 day or 3 day/2 night or 6 day/5 night )
The Competent Crew Certificate  is a very comprehensive course that will give you the skills to become an active crew member of a yacht. The syllabus covers crew skills in the area of Terminology, Nautical knowledge, Seamanship, Boat handling, Engineering, Meteorology, Communication, Passage planning & navigation. The shorter 3 day or 3 day/2 night courses are designed for those who have completed the Introductory course or have similar practical experience. The 6 day/5 night course is for those who are very new to sailing or the more experienced who would like to spend more time practicing their new skills and/or you require an internationally recognised IYT certificate..


Inshore Skipper/ Flotilla Skipper Course
Includes Coastal Navigation and is a course of basic pilotage, boat handling, seamanship and the international rules for the prevention of collision at sea. It is intended to assist participants to skipper a small vessel in familiar waters. The theory and practical modules are aimed at increasing a student's nautical knowledge sufficiently to be a watchkeeper on boar4d a bareboat yacht, or a flotilla skipper in fair weather, in daylight hours within sight of land. Participants in this 6 day/5 night course should have completed the Competent/ International Crew Certificate and/or have approximately 6-11 days prior sailing experience on cruising yachts.

Bareboat Skipper
This is a certificate of excellence for those candidates who wish to take command of their own yachts confidently and safely or for those who wish to safely charter a small yacht for their family vacation. It is also an entry level certificate for those wishing to enter the international super yacht industry being recognised by the MCA as a deck rating certificate. Pre-requisite is Competent /International Crew and/or approx 12-18 days prior sailing experience on cruising yachts.


Yachtmaster Offshore
This is an advanced course in navigation, meteorology, passage planning and overall yacht management. It is intended that the participants will acquire the skills to be able to skipper a yacht on a coastal passage in safety. Please enquire for details of pre-requisites.


Yachtmaster Ocean
This Certificate is all about Celestial Navigation and it is the most senior certificate in the Yachting Australia's course structure.