Training Requirements of the ISAF Offshore Special Regulations
In 2003 ISAF introduced a standard basic syllabus for the training of safety courses in order to establish an International recognized qualification. The training requirements form part of the ISAF Offshore Special Regulations. These course are run and established by ISAF Member National Authorities (MNAs) and conform to ISAF minimum standards. The following is a list of courses that are recognized:
STCW95 Courses
A frequently asked question is whether an STCW 95 sea survival training is a permitted alternative. Ultimately what is acceptable is up to the race organizer however ISAF standard advice is NOT to accept STCW courses (however first aid course are accepted). The reason for this is that the STCW course is a commercial ship qualification and therefore does not contain sailing related items and recreational safety equipment.
Argentina (ARG)
Contact -
Federacion Argentina de Yachting
Austria (AUT)
Contact - Erich Gerhart Michel - Vice-President
Austrian Sailing Federation General Information
The MNA currently has two approved centres:
Australia (AUS)
Yachting Australia Safety and Sea Survival Course Yachting Australia have run a training course for many years and have been running ISAF course since its introduction. The
Yachting Australia website includes a list of sailors with valid certifcates, course content, approved training centres etc.
Contact - Lyndal O'Keeffe - (02) 8424 7412 - Yachting Australia Training - Yachting Australia
Canada (CAN)
Contact Paddy Boyd -
Canadian Yachting Association
Czech Republic (CZE)
The Czech Sailing Association recognises the following centre to run courses on it behalf
NYS (National Yachting School)
Antonina Prochazky 8
62300 Brno
Czech Republic
Website http://www.skolajachtingu.cz/
Phone: +420 737 243 001
Phone: +420 543 232 034
Fax: +420 543 232 036
Email
France (FRA)
Stage de survie ISAF (ISAF Survival Course)
General Information
The FFVoile have been running sea survival training courses for a number of years, mainly for the larger Offshore events. However since 2003, as adopted by the ISAF, the FFVoile is running sea survival courses under the Offshore Special Regulations Appendix G, via various centres appointed by FFVoile to deliver appropriate training, with regular review as required by Appendix G.7.1.
Contact: Jean-Bertrand Mothes-Masse - Tel: + 33 (0) 660 048 107 - Fédération Française de Voile
Training Centre Location: http://www.ffvoile.net/ffv/web/services/securite/documents/centres_habilites.pdf
Finland (FIN)
Contact: Patrick Lindqvist - Finnish Sailing Federation
Germany (GER)
Contact: Boris Hepp - Head of the Technical Department - Deutscher Segler Verband
Great Britain (GBR)
RYA/ISAF Offshore Safety Course General Information
The RYA have been running training course for a number of years at present they run two courses the one day 'RYA Basic Sea Survival Course' and 2 day (mimimum) 'RYA/ISAF Offshore Safety Course' only the latter course meets the requirements of the ISAF offshore special regualtions as a stand alone course.
Course Details
Specialist Contact Details
RYA Training Department Email: RYA Training
Couse Information
Training Centre Locations
Royal Yachting Association
Hong Kong (HKG)
General Information
Course Details: http://www.sailing.org.hk/
Primary Contact: Cora
Hong Kong Sailing Federation
Italy (ITA)
Contact: Alfonso De Lucia - Italian Sailing Federation
General Information
The F.I.V at present has at present three centre approved:
Ireland (IRL)
Specialist Contact: Tony Wright Training Manager
Course Title: ISA Offshore Safety Course
Irish Sailing Association
Latvia (LAT)
Yachting Union of Latvia
Malta (MLT)
General Information
The Malta Sailing Federation has joined up with the (Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology - Maritime Section) to offer training courses
Malta Sailing Federation
Netherlands (NED)
General Information
The Royal Netherlands Yachting Union has joined up with the Zeezeilschool Scheveningen and Zeezeilers van Marken to offer training courses in accordance with OSR Appendix G.
Contact: Bart van Breemen (Manager Racing)
Email: click here
Royal Netherlands Yachting Union
Norway (NOR)
General Information
The Norwegian Sailing Federation
Email: click here
Website: http://www.seiling.no/
Norwegian Sailing Federation
Portugal (POR)
General Information
Federacao Portuguesa De Vela
Switzerland (SUI)
General Information
Swiss Sailing has delegated the organisation of Sea Survival courses to its member organisation the "Cruising Club of Switzerland (CCS)" More information on course are available on there website http://cruisingclub.ch/
Swiss Sailing
Sweden (SWE)
Course Details
Scandinavian Safety Training Centre (http://www.sstcab.se/) runs courses regularly in Karingoen and Stockholm and as a mobile solution. All courses are approved by Swedish MNA, the Swedish Sailing Federation. Available approved courses: ISAF Offshore personal survival course (and refresher courses) together with first aid training. The courses are normaly held in Swedish however training can also be held in English. SSTCAB also runs STCW courses for seafarers including HUET training that can simulate a capzing sailing boat.
Contact: Stefan Nilsson - Swedish Sailing Federation
A database of valid certificate holders can be found at the following link (http://www.ssf.se/tk/sakerhet/ISAF_Cert.asp)
USA (USA)
General Information
The USA provides its 'safety at sea' seminars in several modules. In order to meet the ISAF Offshore Special Regulations Section 6 requirements one must take the "Classroom Presentations" (one day) module and the "Practical, Hands-On Training Seminar" (one day). An ISAF APPROVED OFFSHORE PERSONAL SURVIVAL COURSE CERTIFICATE (which is valid for five years) will be issued to all who attend both Safety at Sea and Hands-On Training Seminars and pass the final written exam, all in the same calendar year. This certificate is required by some US races and most Category 1 and 2 races that start outside the US. Some other US races require only the first day "Classroom presentations". A full list of course can be found at the following link http://offshore.ussailing.org/SAS/Seminars/SAS_Calendar.htm
Contacts: Dan Nowlan (Offshore Director) & Janine Ahmed Connelly (Training Director) -
US SAILING