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Starting a career in the yachting industry?

Discussion in 'Yacht Crews' started by AdrianT, Mar 3, 2008.

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  1. AdrianT, Mar 3, 2008
    #1
    AdrianT

    AdrianT Guest

    Good day,

    I would like to ask some advice and hope that this is the place to do it. If I'm the 50th person to post the same question then please don't crucify me..

    After obtaining a degree in mechanical engineering I worked for a while in the field and realised that it just isn't the place for me. I am seriously considering a career change and wanting to sail for a living. When I left school that's what I wanted to do originally but my folks convinced me otherwise.

    How do I go about getting into the whole sailing scene? Naturally some sort of course/courses need to be done but which ones? I don't want to spend an arm and a leg and I'd say my budget would be around 2500 US Dollars. At the moment, the idea of delivering yachts appeals to me. A mate of mine has done this and it seems like a good place to start to gain experience and what not.

    Any advice from someone with experience with my sort of 'problem' would be greatly appreciated or perhaps to point me in the right direction. I am almost 26 years old, male and will be based in Cape Town, South Africa, if that's any help.

    Thanks,
    Adrian :D
  2. vivariva, Mar 3, 2008
    #2
    vivariva

    vivariva Senior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 10, 2007
    Messages:
    187
    Location:
    Istanbul, Turkey
    Dear Adrian,



    I would recommend taking an intensive 'packaged' program which would endorse you with a RYA/MCA approved Yachtmaster Offshore qualification. A commercial endorsement, STCW95 and practical/ mile building part should be included so you do not lose time between intervals.

    The usual duration for this program is 17 weeks.

    You could enroll in these programs in your country, please try these web sites below for their contact information.

    http://www.yachtmaster.com/partners.asp
    http://www.ryatraining.org

    If you can travel abroad, I could recommend an alternative one:

    http://www.uksa.org/career/y_pro_yacht.asp

    Good luck and enjoy the sea
    VR
  3. ychtcptn, Mar 4, 2008
    #3
    ychtcptn

    ychtcptn Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 8, 2005
    Messages:
    517
    Location:
    Lighthouse Point, FL
    The first thing to do is get a US B1/B2 visa and possibley a Schengen visa. Then try for the courses, if you take the courses and cannot get the visa's you have wasted alot of time and money.
    I beleive that IYT has courses in SA now, my mate just completed his yachtmaster in Durban.
    Good luck
  4. Neil Rooney, Mar 4, 2008
    #4
    Neil Rooney

    Neil Rooney Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 28, 2006
    Messages:
    173
    Location:
    On D Road
    If you hold a SA Passport look to see where you'll need a visa and get them NOW.
  5. JAG1, Mar 23, 2008
    #5
    JAG1

    JAG1 New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 20, 2008
    Messages:
    18
    Location:
    Rendsburg
    Hi Adrian.

    The guys are absolutely right (my wife's from Pretoria - had lots of fun at the French embassy) get your B1/B2 and Schengen out of the way. There's some prejudice against Yarpies because of the trouble captains have had with immigration.

    My second point was that you're a mechanical engineer - the industry is crying out for engineers, all you need to do is get to Antibes etc with a Schengen and STCW to get a job as junior engineer on a large boat. Its a lot different as a seagoing engineer than stuck in an office. Just a thought.