STCW & OTHER COURSES
PSA = Proficiency in Security Awareness
PDSD = Proficiency in Designated Security Duties
PDSD is an advanced version of PSA. Anyone working on board a vessel that has to adhere to the ISPS Code has to be aware of any security threats and how to deal with them, which is why – as a minimum – you need to have done the PSA course. In yachting, vessels having to adhere to the ISPS Code are those yachts that engage on international voyages, are commercially registered and over 500GT. This means that for many (private & smaller) yachts, you won’t actually need the PSA course – but how do you know what yacht you will end up on? If you get hired on a larger ISPS-coded yacht, you will generally be part of the watch-rota and have designated security duties, hence, you will need the PDSD Certificate instead. To keep your job options open, it’s recommended to skip the PSA course and obtain your PDSD certificate instead.
The absolute legal minimum is the STCW course – more details right here.
The other course that is often required for stews and chefs is Food Hygiene Level 2. Due to manning requirements, this is legally required on larger vessels so you might as well do it from the get-go.
The other course I highly recommend for any potential crew members would be the RYA Powerboat Level 2. By doing this course you will obtain a license to drive the yacht’s tender. You might wonder why you would need it if you are going to be working on the interior or in the galley. If you work on a smaller vessel with less crew, there might not be anyone available to drive you ashore to get the croissants in the morning or you might be at anchor, and as part of the watch-rota you will be responsible for driving the crew that’s off from and to the yacht. Imagine it’s like having a driver license ashore – much more freedom!
So what about those stew and deckhand courses? I mean, if you have the funds, by all means, but they are not a requirement to give yachting a go. I personally value a specific skill course more than a general stew/deckhand course as the major drawback with these courses is that they give you a taster session of everything but rarely is anything taught in depth.
Courses that will make you stand out from the crowd are skill specific courses; think floristry, cocktail-making, barrista, carpentry…
A course I can greatly recommend for stews and even chefs is the WSET Level 2 Wine course – you will learn so much!
For those aspiring deckhands and engineers, any apprenticeships are highly valued, ie. electricians, plumbers, carpenters…