Whether you're looking for a gap year, a lifestyle change or a career, this is the course for you. You can make good money (some of PYT's pupils have saved $18 000 in their first year) while travelling to exotic locations as long as you are prepared to work hard, enjoy being with people and can conduct yourself in a professional manner.

The course is made up of four week-long modules that mix classroom theory with open sea sailing and living on board with your fellow pupils for the duration of the course.

Run in parallel with the four week International Career Crew Training course, it provides basic sail training with formalised training for both stewardesses in the super and mega yacht industry and hostesses in the small yacht charter market. The course includes the important and mandatory STCW.95 Basic Safety Training components.

In the third week of the course you break away for a week to specialize for the position of hostess or stewardess instead of a week of the serious physical and practical sailing stuff.

Week 1 - Learn the basic skills to safely crew a yacht.We fully prepare you for a life on board with the STCW95 Basic Safety Training. Safety is paramount in our industry and we make sure you know your obligations with:

First Aid - 2 days. Basic first Aid and casualty management

Fire Fighting - 3 days. Learn to use hoses, fire extinguishers and breathing apparatus to ensure you become an efficient and valuable crew member.

PSSR (Personal Safety and Social Responsibility) & Sea Survival - 2 days. Know your rights, conditions of service and basic employment rules in the industry and then, most importantly for life at sea, how to survive an incident. Use a life raft, immersion suit, life jacket and other safety equipment to increase your confidence at sea as well as being able to brief and assist your guests on board.

Week 2 - Learn the ropes, the language and the methods of being a useful crew member as well as the routine of life aboard an ocean going vessel. There is lots to absorb and lots of fun to be had amongst peers in this exciting introduction to your chosen gap year or career.

The routine is lectures at the academy until 11h00 then off to the yacht for offshore sailing until 16h30, followed by debrief, clean up the boat and chilling out with well earned refreshments at the yacht club as the sun sets. The week ends with a theory exam with instructors on hand and a free day Sunday.

Week 3 - You're now becoming a tightly knit team and useful on board. It's time for the hostesses to split up from the deck hands (usually the guys) for specialised training in the art of hosting guests on board a superyacht, from the secrets of how to clean effectively, manage basic finances, host spectacular evenings, wine appreciation and tasting, flower arranging and more. The week ends with a theory exam and boat cleaning followed by a free day Sunday, unless the weather requires that you leave on that day.

Week 4 - is the big test, as it's time to enjoy the sailing without the academic pressure. You put your skills into action as you plan and victual the boat for the entire crew for a trip to Richards Bay, a four day excursion to sea for a taste of the real thing. Cater for the crew and stand watch with your crew members.Back in Durban, a full day is devoted to job finding techniques. Then it's a final practical exam and shipshape followed by a presentation function of certificates.

The time has come to say goodbye to your new found friends, but not for long, as you'll probably meet up soon out there. Now, get ready for the adventure, glamour and travel where hard work and dedication will see you succeed in the exciting world of the megayachts.

Where will it start for you - the Caribbean or the Med?Accommodation is included on board our training yachts free as part of the course. Please bring your own sleeping bag/pillow/bed linen. Alternatively we have comfortable dormitory accommodation at reasonable rates in the academy which is literally 100meters from the yacht marina.

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