Where to do the mandatory STCW starter course, whichever crew hub you are heading for.
STCW Basic Safety Training is the same certificate the world over — it's your legal ticket to work on a commercial yacht. Where you do it usually comes down to which crew hub you plan to job-hunt in: the UK and the Med (Antibes, Palma) for the European season, Fort Lauderdale for the Americas, or Cape Town, Phuket and Australia further afield. Below are strong, properly accredited centres in each of the main hubs, led by Flying Fish in Cowes.
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My own starting point — I trained with Flying Fish back in 2018. Purpose-built superyacht training base on the water in Cowes, RYA Training Centre and MCA-approved, with one of the widest course ranges in the UK: STCW, deckhand and interior packages right through to Yachtmaster. Book online and hold a place for 48 hours.
Major Fort Lauderdale training campus, MCA / USCG / RYA approved — the main US hub for crew training either side of the Atlantic.
Large charity-run academy in Cowes, MCA-approved and an RYA Training Centre, also running full cadetship pathways for crew who want the professional route.
Antibes-based, MCA and RYA approved, right in the heart of the French Riviera crew hub.
Phuket-based, MCA and IYT approved — the leading superyacht training hub in South-East Asia.
Sydney academy, IYT / MCA / AMSA approved — the established pathway for crew starting out in Australia.
Cape Town entry-level academy, MCA-approved, popular with green crew starting in South Africa.
Palma de Mallorca academy (formerly SOVREN), RYA and Marshall Islands approved, in the busiest Med yachting port.
This is our shortlist. See every accredited provider offering STCW Basic Safety Training in the full STCW Basic Safety Training directory →
STCW is an international standard, so an MCA-approved certificate is recognised worldwide. Always check the school is approved by the MCA or a recognised flag state.
The best hub is wherever you plan to look for work — doing STCW in the same place you job-hunt means you can start dock-walking straight after.
The core STCW Basic Safety Training elements are valid for five years, after which you complete a shorter refresher/updating course.
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