“The evidence from survivors of the yacht Winston Churchill and testing conducted by the NSW Water Police makes it indisputable: crew members with safety training are significantly more likely to survive than those without.”

– Coroner Abernathy, inquest into the 1998 Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race

This blended learning course combines self-paced online learning with a practical hands-on training day designed to prepare sailors for offshore emergencies and survival situations at sea.

The course focuses on prevention, preparation, emergency response, and the effective use of modern safety equipment. During the practical day you will take part in pool-based liferaft exercises, flare drills, and in-water survival training using real safety equipment and procedures.

Online learning topics

• Responsibility and duty of care
• Weather forecasting and heavy weather sailing
• Communications and distress procedures
• Personal safety and survival techniques
• Fire precautions and firefighting
• Damage control and repair
• MOB prevention and recovery
• Liferafts and abandoning ship
• Search and rescue (SAR)
• Final online assessment

Practical training day

• Liferaft deployment and pool exercises
• Righting and boarding an upturned liferaft
• Lifejacket inflation and in-water survival drills
• Recovery techniques using throwing lines and drogues
• Hands-on familiarisation with EPIRBs, PLBs, Life Cells, immersion suits, and other modern safety equipment
• Live hand-held flare drill

Instructors and equipment

This course is delivered by experienced instructors accredited by Australian Sailing and World Sailing. All necessary safety equipment is provided.

Course location

The practical training day is conducted from Middle Harbour Yacht Club, with pool exercises held at the Warringah Aquatic Centre in Frenchs Forest.

Self-paced online learning, practical pool and flare training, safety equipment use, publications, and instruction.

Qualifications

• Australian Sailing / World Sailing Offshore Safety and Survival certificate

• This course is suitable for anyone going to sea recreationally or commercially who wants practical training in emergency procedures, survival techniques, and offshore safety.
• The qualification satisfies the sea survival requirements for most Category 0, 1, and 2 offshore races.
• It is also a mandatory requirement for many professional qualifications including the RYA Yachtmaster Certificate of Competence and AMSA Sailing Master certification.
• No previous sailing or safety training is required.

• You can revalidate this certificate after five years by completing a one-day revalidation course with Flying Fish. Sea Survival Revalidation
• Consider further safety training with Flying Fish Marine First Aid and Marine Radio Operator.