STARTING OUT COURSES
Enquiry
RECREATIONAL SAILING
South African Sailing (SAS) courses are provided for sailing in local South African waters.
SAS is the only body that the South African Maritime Authority (SAMSA) has authorised to issue Certificates of Competence for sailing boats over 7 metres.
PYT provides shore based training for coastal skipper, yachtmaster offshore and yachtmaster ocean with examinations conducted by SAS.
Qualifications required:
Candidates for these courses must be 16 years or older in order to hold Certificates of Competency for both the theory and practical elements of the course chosen.
Appropriate radio operator's licence.
Candidates for day skipper and above require a Restricted Radiotelephone Operator's Certificate (Marine).
Visual Acuity & Ishihara Colour Test.
All candidates require a basic eye test. Colour blind candidates cannot go further than Day Skipper.
First Aid Certificate
Candidates for Coastal Skipper and above must hold a Level 1 First Aid Certificate.
There are various levels of practical experience required. Refer to the SAS website. See useful links.
DAY SKIPPER COURSE
Holders of this certificate are qualified to skipper a sailboat at sea from sunrise to sunset. Local waters are defined as 15 nautical miles from the skippers' home port, or 25 nautical miles from their home port provided they are no more than 15 nautical miles from an approved safe haven.
COASTAL SKIPPER
Holders of this certificate are qualified to skipper a sailboat on any coastal passage within 40 nautical miles of the coast by day or night.
YACHTMASTER OFFSHORE
Holders of this certificate are qualified to skipper a sailboat on any extended or ocean passage.
YACHTMASTER OCEAN
This qualification is a badge of honour that indicates the holder has mastered celestial navigation.
