Holiday itinerary
This 23 day learn to earn yacht sailing programme is ideal for those looking to get more from their holiday and gain a new skill whilst exploring the stunning Whitsunday Islands in Australia that could lead to a career in sailing.
Start with a 6 day commercial crew yacht sailing course and advance your skills to learn how to competently handle this modern 43ft yacht whilst living aboard and enjoying the sailing experience.
Once you are qualified, you’ll spend the rest of your course working as an extra crew member on a series of 2 and 3 day sailing course trips discovering the Great Barrier Reef and Islands.
Go learn to sail on this hands-on course, have fun and learn how to become a crew member – a change of career for a life on the high seas.
Suitability
- Suitable for all
- Minimum age 18
- For international travellers, it is necessary to obtain a Working Holiday Maker Visa before leaving home otherwise participation in the programme is not permitted
Course Start Dates and Schedule
- Learn to Earn sailing courses run every Monday
- You will start with a 6 day, 5 night commercial crew course
- You will meet at the marina at 9am ready for when the yacht sails at 9.30am in the morning and returns at 4.30pm
- After you have qualified, you’ll spend weeks 2 and 3 working on a series of 2 & 3 day sailing trips as a crew member
- At the end of your training, you’ll have the opportunity to apply for any available jobs as a crew member
Sailing Itinerary
- The crew will show you all the best sights of the Whitsunday’s based on guests interests, tide and weather conditions
- Some of the attractions and activities that may be included are:
• snorkelling fringing coral reefs
• beautiful island beaches such as Whitehaven Beach
• bush walks
• island visits
• Observations of marine life
What Will I Learn?
You will start with your 6 day commercial crew course which covers the following:
Essential boating information
- Rules, regulations, obligations and offences, state boating rules and regulations
- Other authorities and organisations, responsibility & authority
Planning and preparing for a safe boating trip
- Basic safety considerations, safe planning, weather and wind
- The boat, safety equipment compliance, the skipper, factors affecting skipper’s performance, guests on board, personal basic safety and survival strategies
- The craft, keel types and design features, materials, maintenance, craft selection factors
- Identification / boat terminology, stowage and securing of provisions, stores and equipment and fittings
- Safety issues, personal floating devices, fire extinguishers, fire prevention, trailable craft, launch and recovery, rigging and de-rigging
- Engines – daily routine checks
- Weather reports / forecasts, meteorological terminology, tidal information, direction indication terms
- Rope work, sails & spars
Safe operation
- Passage advice, regulations, water traffic regulations, inland waters regulations, international regulations for preventing collisions at sea, other regulations, boating offences
- Interpret forecasts and synoptic charts
- Introduction to sail handling, factors affecting handling under sail/power, maneuvers and boat handling
- Crew overboard under power / sail, points of sail, hoisting/lowering sails, sail trim
- Steering to suit conditions, navigation aids and techniques
- Charts and publications, compasses, navigation equipment, navigational techniques including chart work, pilotage, navigation markers, navigation at night, night sailing
- Anchors and anchoring, towing and being towed
Emergencies
- How to avoid and manage them
- Dealing with an emergency on board, assisting others in distress
- Reporting boating accidents, marine radios, distress, urgency, safety calls and messages
At the end of the course, each time you go out as a crew member, you’ll develop your sailing skills.
Qualifications
- After the first week, you’ll have completed the YACT Commercial Crew level and will receive certification
- Your practical work experience following your commercial crew programme will place you in a good position to apply for jobs as a crew member
Live-aboard Accommodation
- Accommodation is included for the first 5 nights onboard the yacht
- There will be up to 7 students for each crew member
- If you are travelling independently, you’ll stay in a shared cabin
- There is a double cabin if two people are travelling together and will be allocated subject to availability
- While you are working as a crew member, you’ll also live aboard the boat
- In between your shifts, you’ll stay in a dorm in a backpackers hostel in Airlie Beach
About The Boat
- With its modern fit out with all the comforts of a cruising yacht, open plan interior and 8 single bunks with 1 double this well equipped training yacht is a complete sailing yacht
- It has the latest navigation equipment, hot water and open plan living
- It is also a very fast yacht enabling you to see more of the Whitsunday's
What To Bring
- Sun hat, swimmers, towel & sunscreen
- Sneakers or deck shoes to wear onboard
- 2 Passport photographs
- You are welcome to bring your favourite CD’s and don’t forget your camera!
Weather Conditions
- Safety is of upmost importance and in the unlikely event that weather conditions mean that sailing is unsafe, you will be offered alternative dates for the course
RYA and Yachting Australia
- The Royal Yachting Association in the UK (RYA) and Yachting Australia each recognise the other’s certificates
- There are, however, additional briefings and testing required by both in order to cover local regulations and requirements
- Depending on the qualification you wish to transfer, there may also be additional requirements to be met, we recommend you check with both organisations for full details
Get more from your holiday, have fun, experience the thrill of yacht sailing and open up a world of possibilities for your future career on this learning holiday with a difference.