A Deckhand Course in South Africa has no fixed price. Why? Because it is different modules that you can select, which will change the price. That makes a Deckhand Course package in South Africa flexible. Let’s understand what a deckhand course consists of and the average price you would pay.

What is a Deckhand Course?

It is better if we first understand what a Deckhand is, rather than the course itself. A deckhand has many skillsets, making the role fit for all kinds of small and big ships or yachts.

As a deckhand, you must be prepared to do anything at any time. This includes cleaning and maintaining the ships exterior and deck, operating PWCs, operating tenders, and much more. A deckhand’s duty may differ from yacht to yacht.

So, a deckhand course prepares you for challenges on the sea. Depending on where you stand with your skills, a flexible deckhand course cover your weak points, making you a competent deckhand.

What would I learn in a Deckhand Course in South Africa?

It all depends on what you already know and what you need to learn. But overall, you will be learning about the main deckhand course, where we focus on developing your general deckhand skills. These skills include practical and theoretical knowledge regarding general deckhand duties, yacht structures, the jargon used on yachts, and more.

Apart from that, every deckhand course has its own complementary courses, such as the VHF/SRC Radio course, PB2 course, PWC courses, and more. So depending on the modules, you will be signing up for, the prices will differ.

For more information, check out this article: Deckhand Course in Cape Town

But what are the estimated Deckhand Course Prices in South Africa?

As we said, it depends on the modules you will be taking for your course. Furthermore, it also depends on the institution you will be enrolling into.

A rough estimation: a deckhand course will set you back about ZAR10000 to ZAR20000. The more modules you need in your deckhand course, the more you will end up paying.

Compared to Europe, South African deckhand course prices are almost 50% cheaper. This makes South Africa an affordable destination for aspiring sea adventurers. 

We highly recommend taking the STCW, RYA Powerboat Level 2, and PWC operator courses. These are the main prerequisite courses to becoming a deckhand and are included in our deckhand course.

Courses like Radio Operator or Diesel Engine courses are optional. However, the more equipped you are with these skills, the better you stand your chance at being accepted into a deckhand position on a yacht. If you are looking for a consultation, feel free to connect with us today!

And remember, Attitude is everything!

Although it does matter to have experience in the field, what matters the most is your attitude towards being a deckhand. It is your willingness to be the yes-person, ability to tackle any task and your dedication towards servicing the guests.

This is something we extensively cover in our deckhand courses. Your attitude is the first impression on your employer and it will define you as a deckhand too.

Final Thoughts

A deckhand course in South Africa is definitely cheaper than in European countries. For an extensive deckhand course, the figure can easily be around ZAR15-20k. However, compared to how much a deckhand is paid a month (2000-3500 euros a month + tips if applicable), this investment is well worth it.

Through our deckhand course, not only do we enable our candidates to be excellent deckhands, but we also help them with finding the right job for them. 

If you think being a deckhand is the right career for you, contact us today. We will be happy to answer your questions and also provide you with an exact quote for the course.