“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 practical, hands-on course prepares you for the unlikely but critical situation of abandoning ship and surviving at sea. You'll gain the skills and knowledge to respond effectively to offshore emergencies.

Key elements include a pool-based training session, during which you’ll practise launching and boarding a liferaft and develop essential in-water survival techniques.

The course also addresses the responsibilities of yacht owners, operators, and skippers in preventing emergencies, focusing on proactive safety management through risk assessments and crew training.

By the end of the course, you'll clearly understand the legal obligations of both skipper and crew in maintaining safety at sea.

Course Content

Day 1 – Flying Fish Classroom

• Course introduction, aims, and objectives
• Legal obligations and duty of care
• Personal safety equipment
• Distress situations and abandon ship procedures
• Liferafts: deployment and operation
• Heavy weather tactics (storm sails, drogues, crew routines)
• Man overboard prevention and recovery
• Distress flares and EPIRBs
• Fire safety and firefighting techniques

Day 2 – Classroom and Practical Pool Session

• Practical pool training with liferafts and lifejackets
• Search and Rescue (SAR) systems and procedures
• Communications equipment (VHF, GMDSS, SATCOM)
• Written assessment and course debrief

Instructors and Equipment

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

Course Location

Training is held in our dedicated classroom at Middle Harbour Yacht Club, with the live flare drill conducted on the marina.

The practical pool session will take place at the Wharinga Aquatic Centre in French Forest.

Equipment, publications and training.

Qualifications

• AS/ ISAF Offshore Safety and Survival certificate 

• The Sea Survival course is suitable for anyone who goes to sea—whether recreationally or commercially—and wants to practise essential emergency drills and procedures in case the unthinkable happens.
• The course is a mandatory requirement for candidates pursuing professional qualifications such as the RYA Yachtmaster Certificate of Competence and the AMSA Sailing Master certification.
• No previous sailing or safety training is required to participate.

• You must re-validate this certificate every five years. 
• Consider further safety training with Flying Fish Marine First Aid and Marine Radio Operator.