The Deckhand Course is an all-in-one package to start your journey on the sea. If you are interested in working on a superyacht, then becoming a deckhand is the best possible way to enter into this industry. With the right knowledge, you will be able to work on a superyacht efficiently. And of course, there are promotions lined up if you have got what it takes. So, if you are planning to take a Deckhand Course in Cape Town, then this article is for you.
This career is not your typical 9 to 5 office job. It’s an exciting adventure where you have to work hard, but it is extremely rewarding. Did that catch your attention? Good! Then continue reading and know more about the deckhand course.
Who is a Deckhand?
A deckhand is a versatile and the most important part of a ship’s crew. They are generally expected to be all-rounders of a ship. The more knowledge and experience they have on the waters, the better. Commonly, a deckhand’s duties are to manage and maintain the ship, entertain the guests, clean and keep the ship hazard-free, and handle emergency situations effectively. Deckhands together make the deck crew of the ship.
Assigned duties for a deckhand may vary from ship to ship. This is why you have to be proficient with your boat handling skills, well-informed on yacht related jargon, first-aid knowledge, and survival skills.
Duties of a Deckhand
- Stand watch, assist the captain with navigations and identify and inform dangers on the sea.
- Maintaining onboard equipment.
- Operate onboard equipment.
- Assistance with berthing and unberthing.
- Maintaining the deck surface – keeping it clean, resurfacing, and restoring.
- Towing of cargo, securing cargo on deck.
- Assistance with loading and unloading the cargo.
- Following orders and assisting the senior crew.
- Assistance in operating the vessel.
- Quarter cleaning.
Note: Certain inland water ships do accept unqualified deckhands on their ship. However, we highly recommend taking the deckhand course from a qualified training institute. It will help you with advancing in your career.
The Deckhand Course in Cape Town
Our Deckhand Course in Cape Town consists of many modules that enable you to work on a commercial vessel. The purpose of this course is to introduce candidates to sailing related practices and prepare them for their sea career. Different academies offer different versions of this course. There is a high demand for crew having diverse skill sets. And this is why, at Sail and Power SA, we offer three different packages for the Deckhand Course in Cape Town.
Deckhand – Minimum
Are you a freshman who’s dreaming about working on a superyacht but not sure how or where to start? Then Deckhand Minimum is the right package for you. This package will include the following modules that will prepare you to work on a superyacht. These are the minimum requirements for anyone who wishes to work on a superyacht.
- Deckhand Course – focuses on developing practical skills and knowledge for general purposes (General Purpose Hand).
- SRC VHF/SRC Radio – training that focuses on operating Very High Frequency and Short Range radios.
- RYA Powerboat Level 2 – having the powerboat license not only enables you to work on a superyacht but also in other commercial ways.
- RYA Personal Watercraft Proficiency – this license is required as you may have to entertain guests with pleasure toys such as Jet Ski or Powerboats.
- STCW 10 – 5 Modules that cover all the basic safety regulations, first-aid course, survival, fire fighting and prevention, and designated security duties.
Deckhand – Pro
Deckhand Pro package is for those who wish to be more proficient when working on a superyacht, but are looking to work in the industry only for a short time. This course will include every module from the ‘Deckhand – Minimum’ course and you will also learn the following ones.
- Navigation and Safety course – A deckhand is expected to assist with sea navigation and obstacle/hazard warnings. This course enables you with navigation and safety-related knowledge (practical included).
- RYA Superyacht Tender Operator course – A special qualification that allows a deckhand to carry passengers between the yacht and shore.
Deckhand – Advanced
This course is for those who want to pursue a career in the marine industry. This advanced course gives you an edge in the competition and makes you competent to carry out a diverse range of tasks, giving you the highest level of qualification, knowledge, and experience to enter this market with confidence.
This course will cover all the modules from previous courses (except Navigation and Safety, which will be replaced by advanced courses such as RYA Day Skipper and RYA Radar) plus you will get to learn the following:
- RYA Day Skipper Theory – This covers theory about basic seamanship, navigation, and plotting courses on the sea. Crucial for practical knowledge.
- RYA Radar – Learn about radar equipment, types of radar display, plotting a course with radar, navigation, and more.
- RYA Diesel engine – Knowledge about the main systems of a marine diesel engine, how to prevent it from breaking down. This course will also prepare you for diesel engine related emergencies.
- RYA Advanced Powerboat Course – Advanced version of the Powerboat Level 2 course. Please note that there is an intermediate course which you will have to complete beforehand.
Bottom Line
If you are looking forward to enrolling in a deckhand course in Cape Town, then make sure the training school is SAMSA and RYA accredited. Sail and Power SA is an RYA and SAMSA accredited training school in Cape Town, South Africa with highly professional and experienced trainers.
Also, a note. You can complete all the modules mentioned in this course individually and at your pace. For more information, feel free to contact us with your questions and we would be glad to assist you.