Industry GuidanceYachting Cadetship
Aim
A structured three-year apprenticeship to train for a long-term career.
Course overview
The Cadetship is designed to provide a simple progression beyond RYA/MCA Yachtmaster to MCA Officer of the Watch Certificate of Competence. This qualifies you to work on an unrestricted worldwide basis as Captain of yachts up to 200gt, Chief Mate up to 500gt and Officer of the Watch of the very largest superyachts up to 3000gt. Developed in close consultation with the MCA and their approved training guidelines, the programme provides structured training coupled with paid periods of work experience.
Pre-requisite experience:
Duration:
Qualify for:
Applicants should be between 18 – 25. To apply for the training, you will need to attend a 2 day Selection Event where you will be required to demonstrate a proven interest in a career in the superyacht industry, and pass a UKSA Cadetship interview. No formal qualifications are required. However, good communication skills – oral and written – and an ability with maths is necessary.
Delivered over 3 years with the option to take a foundation degree alongside the Yachting Cadetship.
Officer of the Watch aboard a vessel up to 3000gt.
Qualifications:
Successful candidates will gain the following qualifications:What's included:
Dates and price:
Includes all food and accommodation during training phases
Benefits
- Gain the qualifications needed to work on the world’s largest yachts
- Ideal for school leavers or newly-qualified university graduates seeking a lifetime of adventure and excitement in the marine industry
- Periods of practical employment, with up to two years paid work during the course, greatly offsetting the cost of training
- Develop your qualifications and skills while working in the industry on a clearly structured and supported programme
- Long-term career benefits of higher qualifications firmly establish your career prospects for work on the largest vessels
The Cadetship training programme in detail:
Phase 1
Essential Cadetship Training - 18 weeks (academic study)
This phase is designed to train cadets in seamanship, watch keeping, maintenance and industry knowledge; the qualifications necessary to obtain an entry level position of employment. With the correct application and the correct attitude, the cadet should be able to be considered for a junior watch keeping position by the end of Phase 2.
Phase 2
Industry Phase - 12-18 months (paid employment)
Cadets will work at sea, following the guidance of the MCA Training Record Book, with regular communication to the UKSA and reports from the cadet's Captain / Employer. The UKSA will expect monthly reports from the cadet reporting on their work, roles and responsibility. For those cadets on the Foundation Degree programme, Level One Modules will be completed by the end of this Phase.
Phase 3
Yacht Operations and Management - 10 weeks (academic study)
This is the link between a senior deckhand's role and that of a watch keeping officer's. The ocean training builds on the cadet's working experience in Phase 2, enabling competence and confidence to plan and execute an ocean passage. With the addition of the General Operators Certificate (GOC), the cadet is able and eligible to sit the Master 200 oral exam. The Ship Security Officer knowledge, together with the Master 200gt and the cadet's experience at sea, makes them attractive as junior watch keeping officers; the intended placement for Phase 4.
Phase 4
Industry Phase - 12-18 months (paid employment)
During this phase the cadet will gain watch keeping experience, in line with the MCA Training Record Book; applying and honing the practical techniques and practices learnt in Phase 3. Once again the UKSA will expect monthly reports from the cadet on their progress and development onboard. For those cadets on the Foundation Degree programme, this would be completed by the end of this Phase.
Phase 5
Cadetship Completion Training - 8 weeks (academic study)
This is the final stage of the Officer of the Watch 3000gt training. Building on training and experience gained over the period of the course, Cadets will study senior modules towards the final examination and qualification.
Syllabus
All theory and practical training to:
- RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Offshore (sail)
- RYA/MCA Coastal Skipper (power)*
- RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Ocean
- Commercial endorsements for all Yachtmaster certificates
All MCA modules to Officer of the Watch, including:
- Sea Survival for Yachtsmen
- Ships Security Officer
- GMDSS General Operators Certificate
- MCA Navigation and Radar
- MCA General Ship Knowledge
- MCA Oral Preparation and Examination
- Yacht Operations and Management
- MCA Master 200gt training
Maintenance training, including:
- Diagnostic fault finding
- Yacht electrical systems training
- Hotel services, hydraulics and water systems
- MCA ISPS ship stability and construction
- Propulsion systems, engine room equipment
- Rigging, splicing, sail repair and winch servicing
Notes
* Candidates with over 1,250 tidal miles, including three skippered passages over 60 miles of which 1 is skippered and 1 is overnight, logged in a power vessel plus 21 days onboard a power vessel in advance of the course can enter for the RYA/MCA Yachtmaster (Power) exam. Pre-requisites for the RYA Coastal Skipper (power) are 400 miles, 12 days at sea, 2 as skipper and 12 night hours. For those students without the pre-requisite experience you will be entered for the RYA Day Skipper (power) qualification.
**An optional qualification, requires academic pre-requisites Please budget for an extra £300 for accommodation in Falmouth if opting for the Foundation Degree.
***£25 + MCA ENG 1 medical examination.
****Free to RYA members, membership fee £34.With the practical nature of the two years paid work experience the course is ideally suited to students aged 17-25.
