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:

• the Segelwelt (http://www.segelwelt.at/) with Lead Instructor Christian Kargl
• Segelakademie des OeSV based in Neusiedl am See http://www.segelzentrum.at/ who's primary contact is Helmut Czasny.

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:

• Tecno Italia Safety and Survival. - Anzio - http://www.centroaddestramentoanzio.it/ - Contact: Stefano Ravasi
• Safety World - Lavagna (CE) - http://www.safetyworld.it/ - Contact: Umberto Verna
• Scuola di Mare "Beppe Croce" - Genova - http://www.yci.it/ - Contact: Paolo Vianson
• Accademia del Mare - http://www.accademiamare.it/ - Contact: Valerio Marchini

Ireland (IRL)

Specialist Contact: Tony Wright Training Manager
Course Title: ISA Offshore Safety Course - http://www.sailing.ie/Training/ShorebasedTrainingCourses/SeaSurvival.aspx

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