superyacht training australia

Superyacht Australia

Superyacht crew academy.

Superyacht Crew Academy (SCA) provides training and certification for people who wish to work on Superyachts anywhere in the world. SCA is an International Yacht Training (IYT) school, MCA, RMS and AMSA approved training provider and an Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) Registered Training Organisation 91462.

Based at Newport on Sydney’s Northern Beaches.

Listing by region

• Brisbane | Gold Coast
• Great Barrier Reef Region | Cairns
• New South Wales
• Northern Territory
• South Australia
• Western Australia

Listing by category

• Accommodation
• Anti Fouling Systems
• Business Consultants
• Charter / Yacht Brokerage / Sales
• Charter Vessels
• Classification Society
• Clothing & Accessories
• Crew Training & Placement
• Day Spa/Massage
• Distribution
• Electrical/Electronics
• Electronics Project Management
• Engine Servicing/Refits/Overhauls
• Freight Forwarders/Custom Brokers
• Fuel/Lubricant Suppliers
• Gearbox Servicing/Overhaul/Repairs
• General Marine Engineering
• Insurance/Finance/Legal
• Local/Port Authority/Services
• Marinas/Berthing/Resorts
• Marine Components / Fittings / Products
• Marine Consultants
• Marine Storage Solutions
• Marine Trimming
• Maritime Engineers
• Metal Fabrication
• Naval Architecture
• Paint Suppliers/Repaint & Refinishers
• Photography
• Industry Associations
• Project Management
• Provisions – Food & Beverage
• Refrigeration/ Air Conditioning
• Safety Equipment
• Sales and Services
• Shipwright and painter
• Shipyard – New builds/ refits
• Shipyards – Refits/Repair & Maintenance
• Stabilizers
• Superyacht Agent/Concierge
• Support Services
• Tender Sales and Charter
• Tourism Services
• Air Charters
• Water Purification
• Water Sports
• Web & Print Media
• Yacht AV/ IT and communication systems specialists
• Yacht Design
• Yacht Design – Exterior
• Yacht Interiors / Soft Furnishings
• Yacht Management / ISM
• Yacht Rigging
• Yacht Transport / Freight Forwarders / Superyacht Agent
• Yacht Transport / Superyacht Agent

Welcome to Crew Pacific Recruitment.

A Super Yacht Recruitment Agency that has been established since 2001 in Cairns, Australia. Crew Pacific specializes in providing a unique and high level of service to luxury Super Yachts within Australia and world-wide.

Crew Pacific provides crew that are either MCA or AMSA qualified, highly trained, and experienced crew that have worked on super yachts both motor or sail within Australia and world-wide.

Crew Pacific understands the unique needs of Owners & Captains when placing competent and experienced crew, whether it is for full time, seasonal or temporary positions.

Begin Here.

Welcome to Crew Pacific's Super Yacht Training.

A Super Yacht Recruitment Agency that has been established since 2001 in Cairns, Australia. Crew Pacific specializes in providing a unique and high level of service to luxury Super Yachts within Australia and world-wide. … Crew Pacific provides crew that are either MCA or AMSA qualified, highly trained, and experienced crew that have worked on super yachts both motor or sail within Australia and world-wide. Crew Pacific understands the unique needs of Owners & Captains when placing competent and experienced crew, whether it is for full time, seasonal or temporary positions.

begin Here.

Australia’s Leading Training provider for Super Yachts, which has been established since 2001 in Cairns QLD Australia … Crew Pacific specializes and delivers Professional Elementary Super Yacht Steward/ess, Deckhand Steward/ess/Deckhand courses, these courses are recognized both in Australia and Internationally. Crew Pacific’s Elementary Super Yacht courses provides you with the skills & tools and knowledge of what your daily duties are as a crewmember Onboard super yacht and how the MCA AMSA International and National super yacht industry works? Once you are fully super yacht trained & qualified Crew Pacific can then place you onto a Super Yacht world-wide within 1-3 months.

Terms & Conditions

POLICY ON STUDENTS PAYMENTS & REFUNDS FOR THE THEORY (MODULES)

• To obtain the theory training for the 2, 5, 8, & 10 Day super yacht elementary courses an individual fee is required to be paid in full. Once the student has obtained these course modules there is a Non-refundable policy, however if for unforeseen circumstances should occur such as
• A family member bereavement or family member should get hurt badly.
• Student should hurt themselves badly or become critically ill
• Notification must be given in writing, email or by advising a Crew Pacific staff member in the office where the Crew Pacific course is being held. Students should consider the following notification periods as to what sort of refund they can expect.

PRINCIPLES – CREW PACIFIC COURSE CANCELLATION & FEES PAYABLE

• If Crew Pacific has insufficient bookings (numbers) to economically run a scheduled course, we reserve the right to cancel the course by notifying all students that their course has been cancelled. In an event that, Crew Pacific cancels a course, students are eligible for a full refund, or they can transfer to another course.

POLICY ON STUDENTS PAYMENTS & REFUNDS FOR THE PRACTICAL LESSONS 

• On the first day of the practical lessons the outstanding amount for the course you are completing will be required to be paid in full, this fee is Non-refundable policy, however if for unforeseen circumstances should occur such as
• A family member bereavement or family member should get hurt badly and you need to return home immediately.
• Notification must be given in writing, email or by advising a Crew Pacific staff member in the office where the Crew Pacific course is being held. Students should consider the following notification periods as to what sort of refund they can expect
• If Crew Pacific receives notification (In writing, by e-mail or by phone call) from a student that they wish to withdraw from a practical course, the amount of refund to be provided will be as follows.
• Notification more than 5 business days before the date of course  – 100% refund of course fee or transfer to another course at no cost.
• Less than 5 business days before the date of the course – 75% refund of course fee or transfer to another course at no cost.
• Less than 3 business days before the date of the course NO REFUND payment will be made by Crew Pacific, however you can transfer to another course date at no cost.  
• If Crew Pacific has insufficient bookings (numbers) to economically run a scheduled Practical course, we reserve the right to cancel the course by notifying all students that their course has been cancelled. In an event that, Crew Pacific cancels a course, students are eligible for a full refund, or they can transfer to another course.

NON-ATTENDANCE & NO NOTIFICATION WITH BUSINESS HOURS.

• If a student fails to not turn up to a class, no refund will be payable. Students need to be aware that leaving a message on the Crew Pacific office answering service outside of business hours where the course is held on the day before the course is not accepted as a notification of cancellation.
• If a student is sick on the day of their course, and can support this with a medical certificate, they will receive either a full refund or be transferred to alternate date at no charge but must be available to complete the training within six months of the original course date.
• If the student has failed to attend due to any other reason NO REFUND will be payable however a course transfer may be granted at the discretion of the Crew Pacific office.

STUDENT COURSE TRANSFER

A student may request a course transfer without incurring any administration fee but must consider the following conditions.

• Participants will only be permitted to transfer courses once and must complete the training within six months on the original date of enrolment.
• If a student failed to turn up to the scheduled course and can provide evidence to support the reason, they may be awarded one additional transfer. Evidence accepted includes a medical certificate, or evidence of death in the family. Subsequent course transfers granted to the students may incur a 10% transfer fee charged at the discretion of the Crew Pacific office.
• Once a subsequent transfer is granted, no further transfers or refund will be granted.

Students who are more than 30 minutes late for their scheduled transfer course will forfeit all rights to any further transfers or refund.

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AN MCA AND AMSA ENDORSED COURSE:

AMSA ENDORSED COURSE:

AMSA course is recognized by “Offshore Super Yacht & Australian Flagged Super yacht. This ticket is recognized in the following countries England, Europe, America, New Zealand and Australia, which means you can obtain work on BOTH offshore super yachts and Australian flagged Super yachts.

MCA ENDORSED COURSE:

MCA courses are only recognized by  “Offshore flagged Super yachts” NOT Australian flagged yachts. This ticket is recognized in the following countries England, Europe, America, which means you would be unable to obtain a job on an Australian flagged super yacht because AMSA does not recognize the MCA training.

How Crew Pacific Started.

Crew Pacific’s Recruitment and Training division was originally established in 2001, however Crew Pacific’s Steward/ess Courses were developed by Joy Weston Owner/Operator of Crew Pacific in 2000.

My experience in the International Super Yacht Industry started in 1992 when I travelled to London to work as a professional Nanny. Looking after two spoilt kids for three months changed my career path radically! I returned to hospitality, working for a 5-star intercontinental hotel (The Forum) based in Earl’s Court. During my six months with the hotel the London Boat Show was running. A couple called Bob and Fiona Freeman were staying in the hotel and I served them several times at the bar and in the restaurant. One particular evening they were quite excited and I, being inquisitive, asked them why??? They told me they just been accepted for a job on a 90ft Super Yacht as Captain and Chief Stewardess. Basically, I had no idea what a Captain was or even a Chief Stewardess, so I asked them. They explained and then proceeded to show me a brochure of the yacht. Wow!!! I was amazed as I had never seen a yacht like this in my life. Coming from a country town in New Zealand and horse riding professionally most of my life, I had only ever been on the Whanganui River in New Zealand on jet boats and this yacht seemed enormous to me at the time. We got chatting and the next thing I know they offered me a position as 2nd Stewardess. I accepted the job and started to write down details of when I would start, where I was to meet the yacht and blah, blah. A month later I flew to the South of France. I was picked up at the airport by Captain Bob and taken to the yacht. Wow!!! When I arrived at the Marina, I realised that I was joining the smallest yacht in the Marina…. yet I was overwhelmed and excited all at the same time. I completed 3 months on board M.Y La Paradiso with Bob and Fiona during which we travelled to Marmaris, Turkey to charter. I resigned due to relationship issues between the captain and wife team.

I stayed on in Marmaris obtaining day-work and freelanced doing stew/deckhand/cook jobs for Sunsail and Moorings flotillas for about a month until I obtained a full-time stew/deckhand position on a sailing yacht called S.Y. Nuku II 72ft. I worked for two years (two seasons in a row) for the Welsh couple, Margaret and Rob, who chartered Nuku II throughout Turkey and Greece, gaining an immense amount of skills and knowledge about sailing yachts and how to become a professional crew-member. After finishing up the second season in Turkey with Rod and Margaret I decided to expand my horizons and sail to the Caribbean.

I organised an unpaid delivery as stew/cook on a 72ft sailing yacht called S.Y. Shonalonga. I would be living and working with 5 South African crew and it would take us up to 6 weeks to reach the Caribbean. During our travels we experienced some bad weather which caused our main sail to whip. We managed to make our way to Gibraltar where we provisioned and fixed the main sail (which I can say is quite an experience in itself), spent 5 days there and then set off into the sunset to the Canary Islands. We had a 2-day layover in the Canary Islands and then sailed to our final destination of Antigua in the Caribbean.

Upon arrival in Antigua I spent 2 weeks on the yacht before being offered a position on a large Super Yacht called S.Y. Snow Goose, 140ft sloop. I completed the season with Snow Goose although I will say I did not have a good experience on my first large yacht (you can find out why during Crew Pacific’s Training Courses!). The experience nearly put me off yachting for the rest of my life. I was very lucky to be rescued by an Irish Captain on a 65ft Swan who employed me as a stew/cook for delivery back to the Mediterranean, more precisely Palma de Mallorca, an island off Barcelona, Spain.

Once we arrived in Palma I stayed on board the yacht for a few days and then discovered a Crew House which I moved into whilst looking for permanent work on yachts. Living in a Crew House is a lot of fun as you get to mingle with many different characters and learn more about the Super Yacht Industry. During my travels at sea I had a lot of time to think about which direction I would like to follow. I decided that I wanted to work on larger vessels ranging from 40-60m as a stew/deckhand and wanted to be on motor yachts. Whilst I was in Palma de Mallorca, I registered with all the international Crewing Agencies (the major agencies which now recognise Crew Pacific’s Training). They assisted me with job opportunities, however I was fortunate enough to find a job myself by walking the docks. I was very lucky to find a good Captain and Owner and a good job all at the same time. A lot of crews were experiencing bad Captains and bad Owners and getting into the wrong job. This can still happen today and depends very much on the questions you ask and your knowledge of the International Yachting Industry. (There are ways you can avoid the pitfalls of the industry and this information is covered in the Crew Pacific Training Courses).

The position I obtained was a stew/deckhand position on a 43m motor yacht (private) working for an Arab owner. My Captain was Larry Barnett (Scottish) and his wife Manu was our Chief Stewardess (German).

This is when my Stewardess Manual started to come into being as I began to realise that the international standards of large yachts were extremely high, with an exceptional level of service which I had never experienced on smaller yachts or in the land hospitality jobs I had held over the years. I started to realise that I had entered into an industry that was “Unique” and “Elite” and that these high-profile people were extremely “Rich” and liked expensive items, fabrics, clothes and objects and so much more….and that they employed the everyday person to look after their yacht and toys so that when they chose to us their yacht it was ready to go and everything was shiny and beautiful for them.

During my six months on board M.Y. Ramses working with Manu the Chief Stewardess, I started to learn many different techniques from her on what a good stewardess ought to be doing on board a larger Super Yacht, such as folding fitted sheets neatly into sets, washing and ironing guest clothing and crew uniforms to a suitable standard, understanding the foreign stain removers, learning various napkin folds and so much more. After six months all the crew left the yacht due to owner issues. I continued the Mediterranean season, freelancing as a stew/cook and stew/deckhand.

At the end of the season I returned to Norfolk Island where my parents had resided and spent 6 months working on Norfolk Island. I then received a phone call from Captain Larry Barnett. He and Manu had obtained a Captain and Chief Stew position on a 43m motor yacht called M.Y. Legend of Tintagel. This yacht was both charter and private. Larry asked if I would like to the join the yacht in Palma de Mallorca, Spain as stew/deckhand. Obviously, I jumped at the opportunity and left on the next plane out of Norfolk Island for my new adventure. During my 2.5 years on M.Y Legend of Tintagel I learnt further skills which I added to the Stewardess Manual. Whilst I was on Legend of Tintagel, I experienced a personality clash with the First Mate. Unfortunately, due to rank, I had to professionally leave the yacht. I do not wish this experience upon anyone however I learnt a lot from it. Larry Barnett the captain found me another job as 2nd Stewardess on a 56m motor yacht called M.Y. Destiny Langkawi, on which I spent 3.5 months and during that period I was promoted to Chief Stewardess. I received a call from Larry Barnett informing me that the First Mate had been dismissed due a stupid incident on board. The owner and Larry asked if I would like to return back to M.Y Legend of Tintagel. I agreed I would return to Legend of Tintagel on the condition I was offered the 2nd stewardess position. I got my wish and spent the rest of the season on board before the yacht was sold to an American owner.

At the end of 1998 I returned again to my home base of Norfolk Island and started to research the Industry in the South Pacific. Things slowly started to fall into place for the Steward/ess Course. For the first part of 1999 I worked casually in Norfolk Island and during this time I started to develop the Stewardess Training Manual.  I began to research Crewing Agents and training organisations in New Zealand as the America’s Cup was to be held in New Zealand in 2000. Late 1999 I flew to Auckland, New Zealand for 2 weeks, held business discussions with International Crewing Agents and various training organisations, however nothing really came of it until I meet Ami Ari from Crew Unlimited, an International Crewing Agent from Ft Lauderdale which I used whilst working on Super Yachts overseas. Ami’s word of wisdom to me was to start my own business and become the first person in the South Pacific and Southeast Asia to develop a Super Yacht Steward/ess Course for the International Super Yacht Industry and to incorporate a recruitment agency into this venture so each would complement the other.

I flew back to Norfolk Island to get the wheels turning. I had just been back in Norfolk Island for a couple of weeks when I received a surprising call from out of the blue!!!  A yacht manager, Mr Tony Smith, asking if I would like a position as Sole Stew on a 35m motor yacht called Kokomo II. At first, I was not interested in the position at all, however I changed my mind very quickly as the yacht was travelling to Auckland, New Zealand for the America’s Cup and then heading to Sydney for the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. I had an interview, was offered the position and flown to Sydney at the end of 1999 to join the yacht. I spent 18 months on board M.Y. Kokomo II and during that time was given the opportunity to complete courses to assist me in the setting up of Crew Pacific. Eventually Kokomo II ended up in Cairns, Queensland, Australia for a refit. I assisted with the refit and eventually resigned in September 2001. This is when I registered Crew Pacific. At the beginning of 2002 Crew Pacific’s 8-Day Internationally Recognised Super Yacht Stewardess Course was launched.

In 2005 I purchased a two storey Queenslander which i turned into a Crew House (accommodation for yacht crew) office and training facilities, where i run our short 2 day super yacht induction course and the 5 and 8 Day Super yacht Steward/ess course. Late 2011 I sold the crew house/office and moved into a new premises. (22 Minnie Street, Cairns, Australia). Crew Pacific no longer has a crew house. Crew Pacific’s main focus these days is just Super yacht Training and Recruitment.

By the middle of 2012 Crew Pacific launched two new courses; a 5-day Super yacht Deckhand course and a 8 day Super yacht Steward/ess/Deckhand course. Then in 2017 we started up the Crew Pacific 10 Day Super Yacht Steward/ess/Deckhand course. These courses are specifically tailored to the International Super yacht industry and are the “First in the world” to be developed. These courses have been developed to provide the appropriate “Knowledge Skills & tools” required to be a Deckhand or Steward/ess/Deckhand on an International Super Yacht.  These courses wouldn’t have come about with the help of professional Yacht Captains and First mates that assisted me in the development of these courses. The Deckhand course criteria has been developed to the level and standard of a 50m-80m motor yacht. Students will learn the “Finesse and Skills” that are required for these types of vessels, both Motor and Sail. These skills will help to increase your chances of employment aboard yachts in Australia or overseas.

Crew Pacific’s aim is to train crew to the highest standard of the International Yachting Industry and be able to give them the opportunity to travel, be well paid, have exciting adventures and to meet some of the richest and most famous people in the world. This industry is awesome and if I could do it all over again i would!!!

Joy Weston Owner/Operator Crew Pacific

• +61 2 9969 8590
• [email protected]
• Mon - Sun 9:00 - 1700

Superyacht Crew Training

Get a headstart in the superyacht industry..

Over the last couple of decades, the superyacht industry has experienced remarkable growth.  This surge has resulted in increased regulation and created a burgeoning demand for  qualified and well-trained crew.

Working aboard a superyacht is often described as a dream job.  You can travel to some of the world’s most exotic and remote locations aboard a magnificent luxury yacht equipped with an array of fabulous toys (think Jet skis, powerboats, helicopters, and even submarines!). 

Along the way, you’ll meet amazing people from diverse backgrounds , and as if that weren’t enticing enough, you’ll also be rewarded with a generous, tax-free salary . Who wouldn’t want this?

Despite the allure of working on a superyacht and its many perks, it’s also important to acknowledge that this career path also comes with its challenges .

You must expect to spend extended periods away from home , and the nature of the job often involves long hours and irregular schedules, especially during peak seasons, which can sometimes lead to a lack of personal time or work-life balance.

To help you get the best possible start in the industry, Flying Fish offers industry-specific training courses to give you the  essential qualifications you need to secure your initial role on a superyacht and to provide you with a springboard to this exciting new career.

Superyacht crew courses

Professional Yachtmaster / Cruising Instructor Internship

This internship offers seasoned watersports instructors an unparalleled chance to embark on a comprehensive two-year work-study journey, culminating in certifications as a Yachtmaster Ocean and RYA Cruising Instructor. Set in an idyllic location, this program promises an enriching, career-enhancing experience in an inspiring environment. It is also a highly cost effective way of training.

Enquire for details

STCW Superyacht Deckhand

Our Superyacht Deckhand course at Flying Fish UK is packed full of the essential qualifications and skills required by the deck crew on a superyacht. It provides a superb springboard into your first job.

STCW Superyacht Steward or Stewardess

Our Superyacht Steward/ess course at Flying Fish UK provides the essential skills and qualifications needed to start working as a Superyacht Steward or Stewardess. It's the perfect springboard you need to enter the industry with confidence.

STCW Basic Safety Training

STCW Basic Safety Training is required by anyone wishing to work on a commercial vessel greater than 24 m in length. If your aim is to work on superyachts this course is an essential part of your training.

ACMA Marine Radio License (VHF, HF, GMDSS)

This one-day Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) approved course teaches you to use VHF (Short Range) as well as MF and HF (Long Range) radio for distress, urgency, safety, and general calls. The course includes GMDSS and DSC

RYA Powerboat Level 2

This course provides intensive training in the practical skills and theoretical knowledge the small boat driver needs. You will learn to drive our rigid inflatable rescue craft.

Basic Yacht Maintenance

This course provides a grounding in the essential maintenance tasks required to keep a modern cruising yacht on the water.

Essential Navigation and Seamanship - Online

This self-paced online course provides a beginner's introduction to the navigation theory and safety knowledge required to go boating safely at sea.

16 hours - self-paced

Yachtmaster Ocean Fast Track

The Yachtmaster Ocean Fast Track in Sydney first trains you for your RYA Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate. Then, you go on to learn celestial navigation and complete an ocean-qualifying passage in preparation for the RYA Yachtmaster Ocean oral exam.

Yachtmaster Ocean Shorebased Theory

The RYA Yachtmaster Ocean Shore-based week teaches you ocean passage planning and celestial navigation, including the use of a sextant. You will leave the course confident that you have the knowledge and skills required to navigate an ocean passage using traditional methods.

Yachtmaster Ocean Theory & Qualifying Passage

This course prepares experienced skippers for the prestigious RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Ocean Certificate of Competence. The programme combines the RYA Yachtmaster Ocean Theory course with an exhilarating Pacific ocean qualifying passage.

Yachtmaster Offshore Fast Track

The Flying Fish Yachtmaster Offshore Fast Track in Sydney takes you from novice sailor to the RYA Yachtmaster Certificate of Competence.

Yachtmaster Shorebased Theory

Upon completing this course, you will have a thorough knowledge of all the theory required for the RYA Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate of Competence.

Which course do I need?

Our STCW   Superyacht Deckhand  and  STCW Superyacht Steward/Stewardess courses include all the essential skills and qualifications you need to start your first job on a superyacht in one convenient package.

 These courses are run by our UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) approved partners at Flying Fish UK in the picturesque town of Cowes on the Isle of Wight, UK.

If you just want the bare essentials, all crew require  STCW   Basic Safety Training  to work on board. Deck crew also need  RYA Powerboat Level 2  and a  Marine Radio Operators certificate. If you don’t have a yachting background, we also strongly recommend an  RYA Competent Crew  course to put some salt in your veins and make sure you know your port from your starboard.

If you have career aspirations and want to one day take a command position on a superyacht, the  RYA Yachtmaster Offshore  is your essential first professional qualification.

As a qualified RYA Yachtmaster, you can also find work as a yacht instructor, charter skipper, or delivery crew . This way you can log valuable command time, before moving on to larger vessels where you will undertake further training for MCA Officer of the Watch, Master 500gt, and eventually Master 3000gt.

With  MCA Master of Yachts 3000gt,  you can apply for the best command jobs in the superyacht industrSTCW

Try Yachting

Discover yachting, how much will you earn on a superyacht.

There are worldwide job opportunities on yachts and superyachts, including roles for captains, deck officers and crew, chefs and steward/ess, bosuns and engineers. 

Deck crew who are dual qualified as jetski, diving, windsurfing or dinghy sailing instructors are also often in demand. As are interior crew who are qualified yoga instructors or massage therapists. 

There are also a range of shorebased indsutry support jobs in management, sales, administration, guest services etc.

Superyacht crew salaries are usually tax-free,   with virtually no living expenses to worry about. Generally, the bigger the boat, the better the pay. 

If your boat is doing charter work, the crew can also make large tips on top of their salary.

The salary guidelines below are based on the yachting market as of September 2023.  Actual salaries will always vary depending on a candidate’s specific experience, training, certification, additional skills, and a particular yacht’s needs.

Superyacht salaries by role

The Captain | €80,000 to  € 180,000 p/a

The Captain takes responsibility for navigation and passage-planning, leads the crew, manages the boat’s finances and looks after the owner’s family and guests.

First Officer   | €54000 to 84,000  p/a

First Mate assists the Captain as second-in-command.

Chief Engineer   | €80,000 to  €12 0,000 p/a

The Chief Engineer ensures that every piece of equipment on board is maintained in an operational state.

Security Officer | €40,000 to 60,000  p/a

The Security Officer designs the yacht’s safety and security plan, defends against threats to life and property.

Chef   | €65,000 to  €96 ,000 p/a

The Chef manages and runs the galley, prepares meals for guests and crew.

Cheif Stew | €36,000 to 48,000  p/a

The Chief Stew takes responsibility for housekeeping and guest entertainment, manages the steward/ess team.

Steward/ess   | €25,000 to  €30 ,000 p/a

Interior Crew ensure that guests have an enjoyable time on board, serve meals, look after guest accommodation and keep the interior spotlessly clean.

Deck Crew | €32,000 to 40,000  p/a

Deck Crew assist with all tasks on deck, maintain the gym and swimming pool, drive the yacht’s tenders.

Other opportunities for qualified Yachtmasters

Flotilla Skipper   | €180 to €300  p/w

Mediterranean flotilla work is less well paid but the lifestyle is great and it’s a fantastic way to build experience and command time.

Couples   | $55,000 to $95,000 p/a + Tips

A couple working together on a busy charter boat in the Caribbean can benefit from joint earnings. You can expect to add to this with tips, especially from American guests.

Delivery Skipper   | $6,000 to $10,000 p/m

Delivery skippers earnings vary but they usually benefit from travel costs to and from the delivery on top of their earnings.

Yacht Instructor   |  $60000 to $75,000 p/a

Casual seasonal instrcutors can work for charter companies or sailing schools, earning £90 to £150 / day in the UK or $300 to $400 / day in Australia.

A full-time RYA Yachting Instructor can expect £20,000 to  £ 30,000 annually in the UK or $60,000 to  $ 75,000 in Australia.

Find your next adventure

explore our full list of courses in the course catalogue.

try our course search to find what you're after.

Middle Harbour Yacht Club, Lower Parriwi Road, The Spit, Mosman, NSW 2088.

Official RYA training centre

Flying Fish Sail Academy teach the world recognised RYA methods.

Australian Sailing

We're partnered with Australian Sailing.

Flying Fish Sailing teach the world recognised RYA methods.

© 2024 Flying Fish Sailing. All rights reserved. Flying Fish Australia est. 2001 | ABN 34 098 757 656

This site is crafted with ♥ by Livmore

Superyacht Crew Academy

4.8 Average rating: Read reviews

The Superyacht Crew Academy was established in 2002, and is Australia’s leading Superyacht and maritime education provider. Providing training in a number of different fields, they are accredited to provide MCA-approved IYT international certification, as well as the Australian AMSA certification, which is required to work in Australia. The Superyacht Crew Academy operate entry level courses, including the internationally mandatory STCW95+10 Basic Safety Training, and Deckhand and Stewardess courses, through to the more advanced Master of Yachts and Celestial Navigation courses. AMSA courses, including General Purpose Hand, Coxswain, Master <24m, MEDII & MEDIII, are also offered as part of their curriculum. Our Fastrack program is also held twice a year, training you from zero experience to the Superyacht Master of Yachts 200 ton Captain ticket in 11 weeks, for crew wanting to jump start their Superyacht careers.

It does not matter if you have years of boating experience behind you, or you have never set foot aboard a boat; the Superyacht Crew Academy can get you qualified, competent and job-ready to start your career in only a matter of weeks. The Academy will take you through all the relevant training and certification required to be totally capable, employable and a valuable crew member on board a Superyacht. All our courses are taught by highly experienced, certified trainers, who will provide you with the relevant skills and knowledge to excel in any role.

Obligation-free and cost-free Superyacht industry consultation is also available for anyone wishing to pursue a career onboard. Team members take you through all the details required to make an informed decision about your future one-on-one, and discuss the Superyacht industry, which career path would suit you best, and how to get started and settled in Australia or overseas.

With Superyacht and maritime training courses operating every 3 weeks throughout the year, the Superyacht Crew Academy is the best start in the Superyacht and maritime industries, wherever in the world that you choose.

STCW Training Centres

Superyacht Crew Academy have their training centre located in Warriewood, NSW, Australia.

Terms and Conditions

View the training school's Terms and Conditions .

Customer Reviews

Superyacht Crew Academy reviews as published on Google:

Billy Heath

Average rating: 2 months ago

Warning not AMSA recognised for STCW 95! Only place in Australia that isn’t, if your vessel requires it in Australia it is completely invalid. Really good courses apart form that

Average rating: 3 months ago

Done the STCW refresher. All training held by the team here was executed at a high level of professionalism and quality. Although the fire training a decent journey, the facilities out there were worth it .

Anastacia Buhagiar

i had a really great experience with the super yacht crew academy and would recommend it to anyone wanting to join the industry

Emily Hamilton

Average rating: in the last week

Awesome! Great content and even better staff!

Lia Alzamora Valdez

I did stcw with these guys and it wa Sam amazing experience 100% recommended. They were so helpful and kind

Chris Smith

Average rating: 2 March 2024

Great facility, informative training, passionate trainers.

Caine Linhart

Average rating: 15 December 2023

Lovely people, very inviting environment. Would highly recommend

Michelle Maricic

Average rating: 10 October 2023

I did the STCW95+10 with Superyacht Crew Academy. It was a great course, very thorough with the information, the practical days were very good, you will learn a lot from this course.

Lara Carpenter

Average rating: 25 July 2023

I did the IYT Interior course with Berna and it was so informative. Berna is still extremely passionate about the yachting industry and taught us absolutely everything we need to know. She really went above and beyond. Came out of the course feeling so much more confident. Would highly recommend doing this course to anyone starting out in yachting.

sarah woodger

Average rating: 1 April 2023

Great training, super friendly and helpful staff with a welcoming atmosphere. Best place to go to for super yacht training, if i ever need to do additional training in the future I wouldn’t go anywhere else.

Willow Lewis

Average rating: 3 February 2023

I recently completed my Master 24. All the staff were very professional & helpful. From Kristy being a great help with my course enrolment to, to Peter my Master 24 teacher with extensive knowledge and to Roberta & Greg with great professionalism & tips in the Superyacht industry! I throughly enjoyed my time here and I would highly recommend anyone to upskill or wanting to work overseas!

sam stevenson

Average rating: 20 February 2022

Great school to do your entry level Superyacht tickets at. I attended here 4 years ago, and it set me up for the future.

Average rating: 16 February 2022

Done my coxswain through super yacht crew academy and I first I thought this school was really great until it started getting towards the end of my course and I started to notice the teachers losing interest in our group as another group had started so they were juggling both. Eventually I was told that I had finished my course but then a few weeks later got called in to say I had more to complete, I went in and then got told again that was it and I was finished, few months went buy and I sent them an email asking when I was gunna receive my certificate and if I had actually fully finished the course as the way it ended seemed strange as I just got never contacted again. All that work and effort and money to just be not responded to is pretty disappointing!

Average rating: 16 June 2021

NOT AMSA APPROVED OR RECOGNISED!!! It is very important to note that the STCW training provided by Superyacht Crew Academy is NOT recognised in Australia by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority. Whilst it can help you with a career in some countries outside of Australia, it is not recognised within Australia, rendering it more or less useless if you want a career here. I have just lost a great position within a company in Australia because my STCW certification is not valid. I can't understand why a training organisation in Australia would offer certification that isn't valid within it's own borders. Please consider this before enrolling with this organisation. When I explained the situation to them, and with them having known full well that I've come from the construction industry with no prior knowledge of the maritime industry, I was offered no compensation, instead I was told that I knew what I was signing up for which clearly I did not. I feel in my personal opinion that I was taken advantage of and after speaking to some of my other classmates I have confirmed that they were not aware either. Now we need to pay for and sit this course again with an AMSA approved rto to get our certifications recognised. On a side note, when we questioned why we hadn't received our LONG RANGE OPERATOR CERTIFICATE OF PROFICIENCY (LROCP) 6 months down the track, we were informed that the exams hadn't even been submitted to the Australian Maritime College and I personally had to make my way back down to Sydney to sit the exam for the second time.

Gerhard Meiring

Average rating: 15 December 2020

SCA was excellent from registration through to wrapping up 2 and a half weeks of hands-on courses. The breadth of experience the instructors shared with the classes throughout the STCW, Deckhand and Powerboat courses was honest and realistically portrayed the industry and what to expect as a newcomer. Very much worth the cost for the practical experience gained from ex crew members themselves. Thanks team!

Tayla McIntyre

Average rating: 11 December 2020

Such an incredible experience with the most amazing and helpful instructors. Would highly recommend Superyacht Crew Academy to help you start your journey in this industry!

Cormac Brown

Average rating: 11 July 2019

Completed Master 200 Ocean with Superyacht worth every dollar spent. Cheers

Temperament Enterprise

Average rating: 12 October 2018

Did my MOY 200t limited here, excellent school, great instructors!

korhan ozakman

Average rating: 8 February 2018

Very grateful for the team at super yacht crew academy ! From day one the support and guidance start to get you ready for an epic journey of adventure and personal growth in the industry. And still 8 months on the team help me and support me in the journey ! Could not ask for a better academy to get the ball rolling . Much appreciated super yacht crew academy ! Ahoy legends !!!!!

Average rating: 4 April 2017

Really enjoyed the training, it was of the highest standard and very realistic! I recommend spending the extra money and doing the additional training ( deckhand and stew courses) as you learn so much more. Stuart and the entire team went above and beyond even allowing me and a few of the other deckhands to get some additional hours onboard the tenders after the course was completed. Within a day after the course I had day work and within a week had a job on board a yacht and had advice through the entire process.

Declan Verlin

Average rating: 28 March 2017

Amazing training facility! The guys and girls made me and the others in my group feel like we were part of a little family during our time at the academy. Stuart went above and beyond to help me with my CV, knowledge and even gave me a few connections to find work over in Antibes! I'll be back for my Master of Yachts for sure!!!

View more reviews Write a review

TRAINING FOR CREW IN AUSTRALIA

All crew members regardless of their role onboard are required to complete the STCW95+10 training modules. It must also be refreshed every 5 years. The 1995 STCW Convention, amended by the Manila Amendments 2010 establishes a baseline standard for the training and education of seafarers throughout the world.  STCW 95+10 stipulates the required competencies associated with different tasks, the knowledge and understanding required to perform them, methods for demonstrating competence and criteria for evaluating it.

As you now know STCW95+10 certificates expire after 5 years so you will need to complete Refresher Training before it can be renewed. STCW95+10 Refresher Basic Safety training is now mandatory.  This is a 2-day course of practical training for Personal Survival Techniques and Basic Fire Fighting.

So you'd like to work on Superyachts? Great, it's an amazing job where you get to see so much!  Becoming a Deckhand is your entry to working on Superyachts. This 6-day Superyacht Deckhand Training Course is an internationally recognised professional qualification. Your certificate will be accredited by International Yacht Training (IYT) Worldwide, who has recognition with 25 governments across the globe. This course has dual certification, which means that you will also qualify to receive an Australian Certificate I in Maritime Operations to apply for a General Purpose Hand (GPH) NC.

So you'd like to work on a Superyacht? Great, it's a fabulous career and you will need the right training for a good start and to be competitive for the best jobs!  The Superyacht Stewardess courses we offer are an entry level into the world of working on superyachts. Successful completion of this course will recommend you to work as interior crew yacht steward/ess on superyachts of any size anywhere in the world. We recommend training in our 10-day Advanced Professional Superyacht Hospitality Steward/ess course if you are new to the Superyacht Industry and wish to expand your knowledge and skills base required for superyacht hospitality.

Superyacht Crew International acts as your booking agent to the right training course for your needs. We can assist you to find the right Powerboat course in Sydney via our various training partners.  You may also need the Marine Radio operators’ certificate and again, we can steer you in the right direction. You’ll need intensive training in the practical skills and theory knowledge needed by the small power boat driver and/or radio operator, as the case may be. WHY USE US TO BOOK YOUR COURSE?  When you book through SCI you'll receive our professional opinion about the effectiveness of your CV.  This 30-min phone or Zoom session is worth $100 and it's yours FREE when you book a course with Superyacht Crew International. 

So, you would like to work on Superyachts!  It's a great idea to learn about the Superyacht industry so that you start off effectively.  Clue up about the professional Superyacht industry:  Learn a brief history, the different types of yachts and modes of operation, the roles of the people who make it happen and future trends in the industry. Most importantly, learn what it’s like working on a Superyacht! We tell you about chartering with guests, cruising with owners and the differences, the types of jobs you can get and the expected (high) standards of conduct, the skills and qualifications you will need and how you can get on a career path.

So you aspire to become a HoD? or you have reached this senior role and want to excel? It's time to Step Up! Superyacht Crew International has developed this course with the aim of addressing the obvious need for senior crew to be well-armed with the necessary skills that will assist them to progress their careers by developing more effective leadership ability through improved ‘people skills’.  This enables them to lead their team and to communicate effectively with other crew, owners and guests.  The catchphrase ‘people skills’ is often bandied around and mostly rather misunderstood!

So you are joining a build and want to know exactly what's going on?  Great, you'll be able to Step Up effectively with some highly useful information.  All crew aim to part of a superyacht new build at some point in their career. Maybe it’s the many elements of creativity about the process.  Maybe it’s the opportunity to be land-based for a while and a huge change from normal yachting daily operations.  Whatever the reason you are involved in a Superyacht new build you’ll want to be familiar with the expectations that the Build Captain will have of you.  Your aim is to build the best yacht for the Owner and all the crew that will subsequently work onboard that yacht!

Renew Your Certificate

Recreational courses, superyacht courses, choose your location.

There is an IYT school on six continents. Begin training in the Mediterranean and finish in the Caribbean. Wherever you choose to be! IYT’s unique modular approach to yacht training has allowed the successful establishment of global partner schools offering a broad range of recreational and professional courses.

North America

South America

Learn to Sail

Become A Partner School

• Upgrade Your School

Government & Organization Approvals

• Recreational
• Privacy Policy & Terms Of Use
• Become a Partner School
• Register with IYT
• Find a School
• IYT E-Learning
• Certificate Renewal & Replacement
• Get Certified
• Recreational Training Course Progression
• IYT Passport
• Crossover Opportunities
• Course Progression
• Course Progression Interior
• Dive Boat Training
• Forms And Docs
• Instructor Training
• Personal Watercraft Operator
• Dinghy Sailing Programme
• IYT Try Sailing
• IYT Introductory Sailing Skills
• IYT Day Skipper / Crew Sail
• International Crew
• International Flotilla Skipper
• International Bareboat Skipper
• International Flotilla Skipper Sail – Catamaran
• International Bareboat Skipper Sail – Catamaran
• International Certificate of Competency (ICC Certificate)
• Powerboat Skipper
• Yachtmaster Coastal (Power or Sail)
• Yachtmaster Coastal Sail – Catamaran
• Yachtmaster Offshore (Power or Sail)
• Yachtmaster Offshore Sail – Catamaran
• Yachtmaster Ocean
• Patron de Yates (Yachtmaster Coastal Spanish edition)
• Marine Communications (VHF-SRC)
• Small Powerboat and Rib Master (MCA Recognised)
• IYT Commercial Tender License Course
• Weather Master
• Navigation Master
• Master of Yachts Coastal/Mate 200 Tons (Power or Sail)
• Master of Yachts Limited (Power or Sail)
• Master of Yachts Unlimited
• Superyacht Chef
• Superyacht Deck Crew Course
• Introduction to Yacht Marine Engineering
• Superyacht Hospitality Training
• Boat Engineer Course (SCV Code for Vessels Operating in the Caribbean)
• IYT-MSWI BoatMaster Course
• Become An IYT School
• Find A School
• Course Levels
• Instructor Qualifications
• Vessel Requirements
• Vessel and Facility Requirements
• Unauthorised Schools and Other Entities
• Shipping & Delivery
• Government Approvals

All guides , STCW

Stcw training australia guide.

• May 7, 2024

You need to have the certificates and training to be able to work onboard a ship, whether it is national or international. To operate in the Australian maritime sector or international vessels in international waters, you must possess an STCW certificate of competency (CoC). Here is a complete STCW Training Australia guide for you!

What is the STCW Training Australia Guide Course?

STCW training courses are the outcomes of  IMO —the UN body—held back in the 1978 commission. It invites all shipping nations to establish a code of conventions for the overall security and other issues of global maritime trade and transportation. 

Today, the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW), 1978, as amended in 1995 ((STCW 95) and 2010 (STWC 2010), determines the standards of competence for seafarers worldwide.

List of STCW Courses For Seafarers

• STCW Deck and Engine Officer Courses
• STCW Basic Safety Training (BST) is required at all levels.
• STCW Basic Training (expires in 5 years as per 2010 regulations).
• Basic and advanced Firefighting courses
• Basic and advanced Maritime Safety courses 
• First aid and Medical Care courses
• GMDSS technical and general operators courses
• Radar, ARPA, ECDIS, IBS & INS courses and training under STCW for seafarers.
• Maritime Security courses and training under ISPS Code and STCW for seafarers and port Security personnel.
• Ship Simulator Courses
• Liquefied Gas, Oil, & Chemical Tanker and other Cargo operations training courses 
• Ship Survey, Port State Control & SAR Courses

Importance of STCW Training Certificate 

The STCW certificate accompanies all official documentation and includes certificates of competence, endorsements, proficiency, and any certificate or documentation certifying the fulfilment of the STCW convention’s requirements. 

Certificates come in handy because they are the written evidence you have on hand to show that your sea time, medical fitness, age, competence, and other factors are all according to STCW standards. All certificate-issuing authorities under the convention are required to ensure that seafarers meet STCW standards for certificate issuance in Australia.

How to Certify Recognition in Australia?

A certificate of recognition allows you to work in Australia without completing some or all of the required courses because it recognizes the skills you already have.

If you have STCW-valid overseas seafarer qualifications and are an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or hold any Australian work visa – you can apply for a certificate of recognition. 

To get recognition, you must:

• Come from an  eligible country
• Should meet medical, sea service, and course requirements. 
• Provide evidence that you have completed the following courses: 
• Proficiency in survival craft and rescue boats (optional)
• Advanced firefighting (optional)
• Security Awareness
• STCW basic safety courses
• Personal survival techniques
• Fire prevention and fire fighting
• Elementary first aid
• Personal safety and social responsibilities.

Open a new career path with our STCW basic training course !

Mandatory STCW Basic Safety Training Course To Work In Yacht Australia

STCW Basic Safety Training qualification comprises five modules completed in 5 training days. Among these modules are personal survival training, firefighting, first-aid and CPR, safety and social responsibility, and efficiency in security awareness.

1.       Personal Survival Techniques (STCW A-VI/1-1)

This module provides knowledge of vital safety and survival skills. Through a mixture of practical and theoretical classes, the course will examine causes of stress, the use of equipment, launching and autonomous life rafts, preparation for survival, and survival skills.

2.       Firefighting and Fire Prevention (STCW-A-VI/1–2)

This module imparts the essential precautions for limiting the risk of fires on board the ship, the origin of the fires, and the primary means of extinguishing them. The course content includes the practical use of firefighting equipment and the use of breathing apparatus for rescue.

Find more information about 10 days of STCW Yacht Stewardess training .

3.       Elementary First Aid (STCW A-VI/1-3).

This module consists of the theory and practice of basic first aid and life-saving techniques. It is designed for all the master, mates, chief, and able seafarers who can practice fundamental first aid on board the ship. It covers the First Aid knowledge typically applied per the STCW 95 and provides beginners with the principles. It provides defence or advice for the most common medical emergencies.

4.       Personal Safety and Social Responsibility (STCW A-VI/1-4).

The module teaches new seafarers safety protocols and ways to prevent accidents and provides them with an overview of the working conditions involving employment and life at sea. 

5.       Proficiency in Security Awareness (STCW A-VI/6-1)

All skilled mariners involved or anybody who works on vessels required to apply the ISPS code are obliged to complete the Proficiency in Security Awareness course. The curriculum is designed for maritime employees who want to perform their duties without any designated security roles.

How Can You Book The STCW Training Australia Course?

If you wish to engage with the program, you can start by selecting your training week at Yachtiecareers. You will get a 50% discount on the first payment at checkout, and the rest will be payable when you start the course. Promo code “paylater50” is valid at checkout.

After you make a successful booking, you will be allowed immediate access to the program and will receive log-in details to your dashboard for the job search. You will also be able to network with the other crew in the WhatsApp group.

Conclusion 

Just like any other maritime professional, you must be fully equipped with skills and knowledge to do your job. Almost all seafaring nations have ratified STCW due to its high-quality training and educational standards. Thus, it has been the sole requirement for procuring a license and is associated with the maritime industry, seafarers, and the ecosystem. 

Yacht Deckhand Premium STCW

Yacht Stewardess Premium STCW

Yacht Stewardess Full STCW

Superyacht Deckhand Full STCW

STCW Training in Holland- A Comprehensive Guide

Top 10 best places to find a Yacht job in the Med 2024?

Yacht Crew Courses for Holland: Food Hygiene Level 2

Best Yacht Deckhand Training in Florida: Advance your Sea Career

Find the Best Yacht Deckhand Training In Fort Lauderdale

All You Need to Know About Yacht Stewardess Training in United States

Yacht Stewardess Training in Florida: Launch Your Yachting Career

Superyacht crew training europe.

All Dates full.   Book Final  spot for October with code yachtie50  for free 50€.

Get free yacht cv and yacht job offers

The sinking of the Bayesian superyacht

• READ MORE:  'Britain's Bill Gates' and his daughter are among six feared dead 

What was an elaborate celebration to commemorate Mike Lynch's high stakes fraud acquittal turned into tragedy as his superyacht fell victim to a freak water spout. 

The luxury sailboat was docked off the coast of Porticello, near Palermo, when a 'whirlwind' hit the area just before 5am this morning, wrecking the boat and causing it to rapidly disappear beneath the waves. 

The yacht had been visible to surrounding ships before it suddenly vanished, claiming the life of one person while six remain missing. 

Fifteen of the 22 people onboard were rescued by Sir Robert BP, a Dutch  sailing ship, which was in front of the yacht. 

British tech tycoon Lynch had reportedly invited his family and friends on the sailboat to celebrate charges of fraud and conspiracy for allegedly scheming to inflate a company's value before it was sold being dropped. 

'At around 4:30 in the morning it was gone. A beautiful vessel where there had been a party. A normal holiday day spent happily at sea turned into a tragedy,' a witness told Italian news agency ANSA. 

As a desperate search effort is underway to find the missing six - including British and American tourists - MailOnline takes a look at how the tragedy unfolded.   

The storm hitting  

The superyacht was lit up and illuminating the water when a water spout suddenly occured in close proximity to the boat. 

Just before 5am in the morning, the yacht became caught up in the spout and then suddenly disappeared, according to witnesses. 

The yacht going down 

Witnesses have described the moment the yacht went down as very sudden, claiming it was as if it just disappeared. 

One person said: 'The boat was all lit up. Around 4.30 am, it was no longer there.

'A beautiful boat where there was a party. A normal joyous vacation day at sea turned into tragedy.' 

Meanwhile, the captain of the Dutch ship which saved 15 of the 22 people onboard the yacht also claimed the boat disappeared. 

Captain Karsten Borner told the BBC: 'After the storm was over, we noticed that the ship behind us was gone.'

He added: 'With a light we saw that the ship was inside [the water], and then we saw a triangle. So I think she went back. Terrible. Terrible moment.' 

Passengers rescued

Fifteen of the 22 passengers - including British and American tourists - were saved by Captain Borner's Dutch ship. 

Once the storm subsided, Borner said he and his friend noticed a flare in the water, and made their way towards it.

There they found the lifeboat with those who had escaped inside, including a one-year-old baby and mother Charlotte Golunski.

Among the six still missing are British billionaire tech tycoon Mike Lynch and his 18-year-old daughter. 

Search rescue 

A massive search operation to find the six still missing continues today. 

Tragically, the body of a man - believed to be a Canadian national who was working as the boat's chef - was found floating alongside the vessel earlier today.

There are fears that those who are still missing became trapped in their cabins, with divers earlier reporting that they saw 'bodies through the portholes' of the yacht, according to Italian media.

• Breaking News

UK tech tycoon among missing after superyacht sinks off Sicily

Harris hails Biden in surprise Democratic convention appearance

Another Tiger premiership hero is done

Update on William Tyrrell mystery

UK tech tycoon Mike Lynch was among six people lost at sea Monday after a superyacht sank off the Italian island of Sicily during a sudden storm.

The 56-metre (180-foot) long luxury yacht had been moored off Porticello, east of Palermo, when violent winds and rains swept suddenly up the coast before dawn.

Lynch's wife Angela Bacares was among 15 people rescued but the businessman and his daughter Hannah Lynch were missing, Salvo Cocina, head of the Civil Protection Agency in Sicily, told AFP.

Bacares suffered light injuries and was spotted by AFP being wheeled into a hospital in Termini Imerese.

Lynch, 59, is a celebrated technology sector entrepreneur and investor, sometimes referred to as the UK's answer to Bill Gates.

Divers who recovered a first body in the area earlier on Monday had seen one of the missing six trapped inside the sunken vessel, according to a source close to the recovery operation.

"It was terrible. The boat was hit by really strong wind and shortly after it went down," a British survivor named as Charlotte Golunski told ANSA news agency.

The Bayesian, flying the British flag, had 22 people aboard, including 10 crew members, the coast guard said.

Most of those aboard were British, and the passengers were guests of Lynch, according to Italian media.

- 'Screaming' -

Golunski said her one-year-old daughter, named by media as Sophia, had nearly drowned.

"For two seconds I lost her in the sea, then I grabbed her again. I held her tightly to me, while the sea raged. Lots of people were screaming," she was quoted as saying.

She managed to climb aboard a life raft, she said.

The yacht was anchored some 700 metres from the Porticello port when it was struck by a waterspout, which roughly resembles a mini tornado over a body of water.

Karsten Borner, the captain of another yacht anchored nearby at the time of the storm, said there was a "very strong hurricane gust" and he had to battle to keep his vessel steady.

All of a sudden "we noticed that the ship behind us was gone", he told journalists in Porticello.

"We found this life raft... with a little baby, and the wife of the owner," he said.

Fisherman Fabio Cefalu said he and other fishermen rushed to help after seeing a distress flare go up.

"But we didn't find anyone in the sea, we only found cushions and the remains of the boat," he told AFP.

A waterspout is a column that descends from a cloud to form a rotating mixture of wind and water over a body of water, often during severe thunderstorms, according to National Geographic.

Just a few hours later, the seas were calm as emergency services carried a body bag to shore.

Survivors included two people with joint French and British nationalities, a Sri Lankan, a New Zealander and an Irish national, according to media reports.

- 'No longer there' -

Camper & Nicholsons, the managers of the yacht, said in a statement that they were "assisting with the ongoing search" for the missing people.

Italian authorities have opened a probe into the incident.

The incident comes after Mike Lynch was acquitted on all charges in a San Francisco court in early June after he was accused of the massive fraud linked to the sale of his software firm Autonomy to Hewlett-Packard. 

The Bayesian was a luxury superyacht built by the Italian shipbuilding firm Perini Navi in 2008.

It had an 11.51-metre mast and could reach speeds of up to 15.5 knots, according to the Boat International website.

"The boat was all lit up. Around 4:30 am, it was no longer there," said one witness cited by ANSA.

"A beautiful boat where there was a party. A normal joyous vacation day at sea turned into tragedy".

With players seeking trades and others in contract limbo at Richmond, a premiership defender has added his name to the list of exits at Punt Road.

William Tyrrell’s loved ones are a step closer to receiving answers to one of Australia’s most notorious missing persons cases.

Sicily yacht sinking: What we know so far as search for missing continues

A luxury superyacht, the 56-metre bayesian, capsized and sank off the coast of sicily during severe weather, leaving one person dead, six missing, and 15 rescued. among the missing is british tech magnate mike lynch..

The Bayesian sailing boat, in Palermo, Sicily, Italy. Source: AAP / Perini Nasvi Press Office

• A luxury yacht capsized off Sicily, leaving one dead and six missing, including UK tech magnate Mike Lynch.
• Fifteen people have been rescued and eight were hospitalised after storm hit the 56m yacht.
• The Bayesian, notable for its tall mast, was moored near Porticello when a waterspout struck.

From birthday celebrations to a 'terrifying night at sea': Australians' tale of survival

'Catastrophic implosion': All five people onboard missing Titanic sub confirmed dead

Who is Mike Lynch — the British 'Bill Gates'?

Share this with family and friends

Recommended for you

Boxer Imane Khelif addresses Olympics gender row as she reaches gold-medal bout

2024 Paris Olympic Games

Top breakdancing judge praises Raygun's kangaroo move as singer Adele weighs in

Meet Raygun, the Australian academic who made history in Olympic breaking

Revealed: How fraudsters steal from Australians through a myGov 'side entrance'

Fraud and false statements

Why you might face a new choice when getting your next COVID-19 vaccine

Extremists volunteering in soup kitchens: How ideologies have evolved to attract Australians

Pilot dead after helicopter crashes into Cairns hotel during unauthorised flight

Helicopter crashes

Does a recession loom? Will super take a hit? What to know as stock markets wobble

Financial markets

Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from australia and around the world direct to your inbox..

Morning (Mon–Fri)

Afternoon (Mon–Fri)

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

SBS World News

• 2021 legislation changes
• South Australian Skills Act
• Apprentice and trainee supervision
• South Australian Skills Register
• South Australian Skills Commission
• Engagement with industry
• Information for employers
• Declaration of trades and vocations
• Recognition of other trade training
• South Australian micro-credentials
• International students
• Apprentices and trainees
• Training organisations
• Lodge a dispute
• Our partners and sponsors
• Conditions of Entry
• Annual Reports of the South Australian Skills Commission
• ATLAS Login
• Regulations and Standards
• Supervision and TAP schedule
• SAS Act - Transition Arrangements
• Definitions and terminology
• South Australian Skills Commissioner
• Industry Skills Councils
• Information for apprentices and trainees
• Career and pathway guidance
• Higher Education apprenticeships and traineeships
• Micro-credentials
• 2024 South Australian Training Awards finalists
• 2024 SA Training Awards Voters' Choice Award
• How to nominate & award categories
• Past winners
• Strategic Plan
• School-based Apprentice or Trainee of the Year

This award is presented to a student who is undertaking a Certificate II or above qualification as a part-time school-based apprentice or trainee. The award recognises the student’s commitment to their formal studies at school and in the workplace.

Meet the finalists in the school-based apprentice or trainee of the year category for the 2024 south australian training awards – what a high-performing group of individuals, imogen smith, certificate iii in electrotechnology electrician, training provider: cardijn college, mtc training, employer: nexphase electrical pty ltd, school: marcellin technical college.

Imogen Smith was introduced to the basic skills of a few different trades at Marcellin Technical College in Year 10; by Year 11 her mind was set on becoming an electrician. A school-based apprenticeship with Nexphase Electrical, through the Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician, made this happen.

Imogen’s grandfather inspired her decision: watching and assisting him turned into building custom projects with him and learning valuable skills. He was influential in sparking the passion she has today for her work. She also loved the idea of a job that would keep her on the move and give her the opportunity to use interesting tools – she couldn’t see herself in a non-physical career!

Imogen is determined to own a business and make a difference through her interest in renewable energy and sustainable living; growing in confidence, she also wants to inspire young girls to try electrotechnology and thrive in the industry.

Jazmin Benson-Richards

Certificate iii in cabinet making and timber technology, training provider: north east vocational college, employer: cabinet creations riverland pty ltd, school: berri regional secondary college.

Jazmin Benson-Richards’ passion for working with timber began in Year 7 with a bird-house toilet roll holder. Since then, she has designed and created a new project every year: bookshelf holder, small side table, bedside table with push-to-open drawers, moveable island bench. In her apprenticeship she is making kitchens, bathroom vanities, walk-in robes, outdoor kitchens, pantries, laundries and bar rooms.

Encouragement from her mother to pursue an activity she loved led Jazmin to a school-based apprenticeship and the Certificate III in Cabinet Making and Timber Technology.

Jazmin is inspired by how much there is to learn in the cabinet-making trade and the reaction of family, friends, and colleagues when she makes something they admire; she credits the team workplace environment at Cabinet Creations Riverland for her increased confidence.

Travelling and working as a certified cabinet maker to see how others pursue the trade she loves is one of Jazmin’s dreams.

Lara Wilson

Certificate iii in school based education support, training provider: madec australia, employer: megt (australia) ltd, school: underdale high school.

Lara Wilson is already on the way to her dream career as an educator; working towards an ATAR, she also undertook a school-based traineeship, the Certificate III in School Based Education Support, at Underdale High School and the Hospital School SA.

Through schooling and her traineeship, Lara has learnt to find her voice, trust her judgement, seek help and feedback, and how to work in a supportive and collaborative team – and she has found an incredible group of friends!

Lara has a passion for making a difference by having a positive impact on others, nurturing them, and helping them to achieve their dreams and goals.

Working and completing her traineeship has been one of the best experiences of Lara’s life; she feels fortunate for the opportunity to collaborate with and learn from the Hospital School SA team; through them, Lara has discovered her purpose: to become a primary school teacher.

Certificate III in School-Based Education Support

School: tumby bay area school.

Liam Carr’s interest in becoming a teacher began in Year 10 with work experience at Ungarra Primary School, where he realised that working in a classroom would be his perfect career. Living in a regional community is also important to Liam because it’s where he has developed close relationships with family members and positive relationships with his teachers.

As a Year 12 student at Tumby Bay Area School, which he has attended from reception, Liam worked as a trainee school services officer as part of the Certificate III in School Based Education Support.

Liam’s school-based traineeship enabled him to develop his leadership potential, refine his interpersonal skills, and improve his time management and organisational skills; he has learnt about managing a learning environment effectively and developing productive relationships with primary-aged students.

Liam believes his traineeship has set him up with a strong foundation for future study and a teaching career.

Nathaniel Hutchesson

Certificate iii in engineering - fabrication trade, training provider: tafe sa, employer: bae systems australia, school: murray bridge high school.

In Year 9 at Murray Bridge High School, one of Nathaniel Hutchesson’s teachers encouraged him to explore metal technology career options.

Nathaniel enjoyed this challenge; he liked learning about making things, using drawings to interpret information, and being hands-on in a workshop environment. Inspiring teachers supported these early career-discovery stages.

A Certificate II in Engineering Pathways at Murray Bridge High School highlighted the possibilities of a metal technology career; learning about the metals and manufacturing industry led to a school-based apprenticeship: the Certificate III in Engineering – Fabrication Trade, through TAFE SA.

Work experience with BAE Systems Australia and the Osborne Naval Shipyard exposed Nathaniel to engineering fabrication trade opportunities he had never imagined.

Nathaniel finds the learning process of watching then doing rewarding because he can see his projects come to fruition. He envisages his future as achieving a Diploma of Engineering and establishing a solid career in the industry.

Vote for your favourite individual finalist in the 2024 SA Training Awards Voter's Choice Award!

The winner will receive $1,000 to be used towards their training and development.

See all 2024 South Australian Training Awards finalists

Superyacht Training: Deck Courses

Add a Training Centre

Deck courses for yacht crew such as Captains, Officers, Deckhands, and other similar superyacht professionals.

Superyacht Deck Courses

• Yacht Rating   (1)
• Navigational Watch Rating   (4)
• Officer of the Watch (Yachts) - Less than 3,000GT   (8)
• Chief Mate (Yachts) - Less than 3,000GT   (0)
• Master (Yachts) - Less than 500GT/3,000GT   (4)
• Master (Yachts) - Business and Law   (2)
• Master (Yachts) - Celestial Navigation   (2)
• Master (Yachts) - Navigation, Radar and ARPA Simulator   (6)
• Master (Yachts) - Seamanship and Meteorology   (2)
• Master (Yachts) – Stability   (2)
• RYA Powerboat Level 1-3   (28)

Seascope France

Antibes, France

Seascope France is a maritime training school conveniently located in Antibes, the largest port of Europe and the South of France. We offer a variety of STCW, RYA, and G.U.E.S.T courses to both experienced and beginner seafarers. Out trainings allow to receive such entry level qualifications as deckhand and yacht steward / stewardess. All our courses are approved by relevant international agencies including MCA, RYA, and IAMI and are designed to meet the highest industry standards. Why do your training with Seascope France? We take pride in the quality of the training you receive with Seascope France. Our staff and instructors have extensive industry experience making us one of the most qualified training providers you will find. Our courses are run to the highest standards and in accordance with the regulations and stringent requirements of the regulative bodies. We keep our groups small and apply individual approach so that each student can benefit from training. We make sure that the equipment used for the training is correct, and all students are aware how to use it. Some of our trainings are carried out onboard yachts to give students hands-on experience. Our location adds to the advantages of our trainings. Antibes harbors Port Vauban, the largest port in Europe, and welcomes super- and megayachts throughout the year. When season comes, a number of cruise liners visit cities next to Antibes and along the coast of South France. Thus, future seafarers can start their job search while on the training and be ready to work on boats once the training is done!

More details

South West Maritime Academy

Bristol, United Kingdom

South West Maritime Academy is a leading provider of high quality training courses specialising in maritime, security, fire and medical training for all levels of experience and ability – from complete novices to competent professionals and those looking to enhance their career prospects or update required industry specific qualifications.

Abacus-March

South of France, France

We are a crew training, on board training and crew placement centre based in the South of France.

Adria Libar Maritime Training Centre

Sibenik, Zadar, Split, Rijeka and Zagreb, Croatia

Adria Libar (ex. Adria Mare) - MaritimeTraining Center has been providing world class maritime and nautical training since 1989. We offer training in the areas of Basic Safety, Fire Fighting, Sea Survival, Tanker Operations, First Aid and Medical, Health, Safety and the Environment, Radio Communications, Radar, Simulation, Navigation and Offshore training. During the last 25 years we have positioned ourselves as a good maritime school in the market of maritime education and as one setting an example with high standards of education. We have been recognized by our colleagues for increasing the levels of knowledge and professional improvement in seafaring and sea navigation and obtaining the highest licensed professions in the mentioned two, but also for establishing a referent list of Croatian and foreign maritime companies. With our acquired experience, we today present a skilled administrative and lecturing team which conducts education in our four education centers in Sibenik, Zadar, Split, Rijeka and Zagreb.

AEMAR/ITN - Inatituto de Tecnologias Náuticas

Lisboa, Portugal

STCW training center located in Portugal's capital Lisboa providing courses for ratings and skippers.

Agencja Żeglarska Kubryk

Warszawa, Poland

Kubryk organizuje zintegrowany kurs bezpieczeństwa STCW w Polsce.

Allabroad Maritime Academy

Gibratlar, Gibratlar

Allabroad Sailing Academy offers the best in RYA Sailing Courses through its unique set up and location. Our base is in warm and tidal Gibraltar with a cruising area that takes in Ceuta in Spanish Morocco, mainland Spain, and for longer courses the Atlantic Portuguese coastline.

Australian Maritime and Fisheries Academy

Adelaide, Australia

An industry driven training provider since 1997.

Australian Superyacht Crew

Sydney, Australia

Located in Sydney Australia, we offer AMSA-approved STCW Basic Safety Training courses.

Azimuth Nautical School

Sao Paulo, Brazil

Azimuth Nautical School was founded in 2007, complies with all Brazilian regulations to provide recreational and professional nautical courses. Our team of instructors consists of merchant marine officers and it is the first school authorized by International Yacht Training in Brazil.

Barcelona Sea Academy

Barcelona, Spain

We are the leading IYT sea school in Barcelona specialising in IYT courses including STCW.

Bluewater Crew Training USA

Fort Lauderdale, United States of America

We take your career as seriously as you do. Personalized focus on your maritime goals is why we are the only choice for many who are working in the industry today to help meet all their training requirements. Our 45,000 square foot Fort Lauderdale U.S. Coast Guard and U.K. Maritime and Coastguard Agency Approved Training Center features state-of-the-art classroom technology, sea survival training pool, fitness center and student lounge.

Bristol Maritime Academy

We pride ourselves on being able to help those wanting to start their career in this prestigious industry with our Superyacht Deck Crew Course. When enrolling on The Bristol Maritime Academy’s Superyacht Deck Crew course, you are giving yourself a kick-start into this industry. Our internationally recognised certificates can be your entry to getting a job on board. Our Superyacht Deck Crew Course will equip students with the necessary skills and qualifications for their job roles. We also aim to prepare students for this specialised industry along with interview and CV tips and tricks with an affiliated Superyacht Crew recruitment Agency.

Certified Superyacht Crew Training Academy

Cape Town, South Africa

Leading the field in Superyacht training, Certified Superyacht Academy has proven to be the top resource and authority on the industry.

D and B Services

D & B Services is a company specialized in the maritime sector. Our activity concentrates around areas of expertise such as Crew Training, Yacht Management, and Crew Placement.

Diverso Impex LCC

Split, Croatia

Diverso Impex is among the first companies that started with the professional training of seafarers in Croatia. Seafarers training takes place on the cutting-edge teaching and simulation equipment (Kongsberg and Transas full mission bridge simulators, Arpa Radars, Electronic maps, yacht simulator, ROC, fire polygon, lifeboat, …), all with the participation of highly skilled and professional teachers with years of experience in the maritime industry. Diverso Impex LLC in certified by ISO quality system and all courses are certified by Croatian Register of Shipping and Bureau Veritas.

Emsworth School of Navigation

Hampshire, United Kingdom

Emsworth School of Navigation is an RYA & MCA accredited training centre specialising in shorebased courses for both the commercial and private maritime sector. We pride ourselves in delivering quality training at reasonable prices by a team of highly qualified and experienced instructors.

Flying Fish

Flying Fish Australia delivers STCW Basic Safety Training courses in Sydney. To work on a superyacht these are the minimum qualifications you need.

Isle of Wight, United Kingdom

Flying Fish UK is approved by the UK Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) to deliver the five parts of STCW Basic Safety Training, including Proficiency in Security Awareness.

Get Onboard Superyacht Academy

Get Onboard Superyacht Academy Established in 2016, by two friends who met working onboard one of the world’s premium superyachts, Get Onboard Superyacht Academy has quickly established itself as leading industry player assisting young SA yachties looking to pursue a career in the superyacht industry. Based in Cape Town, South Africa, Get Onboard facilitates a variety of Superyacht specific courses across all four industry departments, Yacht Deckhand, Yacht Stewardess, Yacht Engineer & Yacht Chef. With over 14 years industry experience, our maritime partners internationally accredited maritime partners who are ITY and MCA certified, were carefully selected to ensure our candidates are provided the best possible training experience with top notch facilities in order to ensure they begin their super yachting career with a competitive edge.

Harbourfront Centre Sailing and Powerboating

Ontario, Canada

Harbourfront Centre Sailing and Powerboating is an internationally recognized Sail Canada ‘Centre of Excellence in Training’ Facility, offering practical, on-water experience. We offer a wide range of courses, from beginner to IYT. We teach dinghy, keelboat and powerboat courses, marine licensing, including ICC licenses, Coastal and Celestial Navigation, and International Yachtmaster Certification.

Hull, United Kingdom

HOTA, the Quality Training Provider, offers nationally approved training and tailor-made courses to meet company specific training needs. HOTA is renowned for its flexibility and for its highly trained team of professional trainers delivering courses when, where and how they are required.

Jetski Safaris Ltd

Poole, United Kingdom

Jetski Safaris is an RYA training centre based in Poole Harbour on the UK's South Coast which offers a range of RYA Powerboat Training, RYA Jet ski Training and RYA Shorebased courses. Jetski Safaris has one of the UK's Largest and newest fleet of Personal Watercraft, several RIBs and a full time team of experienced and friendly RYA Instructors. As a Centre we have 11 years experience running over 50 Courses per season both from our centre in the UK and onboard SuperYachts.

Just Sailing

Genoa, Italy

Just Sailing offers the gold standard of sailing courses, both RYA and bespoke. From beginners to yacht masters we are able to tailor a course for your needs. As well as building your confidence and qualifications we also seek to provide you with a truly memorable sailing experience in crystal clear Mediterranean waters with like-minded people. Safety is of paramount importance and our instructors supremely capable and experienced. Similarly our boats, offices and equipment are maintained to the highest possible standards. Just Sailing operates out of the wonderful Marina Genoa on the Ligurian Coast in Northern Italy. With direct flights from the UK and many other countries, the marina is a matter of minutes from Genoa Airport. Just Sailing is ideally placed to explore the fabulous Italian and French coastlines including the Cote D’Azure including Monaco and Antibes, Porto Fino, La Spezia, The majestic Island of Elba and the islands of Corsica and Sardinia.

Kechi Sailing

Istanbul, Izmir, Antalya, Bodrum, Marmaris, Fethiye, Mersin, Turkey

Kechi Sailing is Turkey’s #1 Sailing School® - perfecting the art of sailing instruction since 1998. With Kechi Offshore Sailing School, sailing is fun and easy to learn. Discover a new “freedom” on our award-winning Kechi 16 sailboats and fleet of 40' to 50' cruising monohulls and catamaran yachts at sixteen sailing school locations in Istanbul, Izmir, Antalya, Bodrum, Marmaris, Fethiye, and Mersin. Kechi Sailing employs expert, IYT Sailing-certified instructors. In addition to introductory and certification courses, the company offers team building and leadership programs for corporations and groups. Certification courses include: Learn to Sail Courses, Offshore’s unique Fast Track to Cruising® Courses, racing, passage making and many more advanced sailing courses and power courses for all skill levels. Contact us to find out how Kechi Sailing can help you chart your course to an exciting new lifestyle; and stimulate employee production through team building and leadership adventures.

Kipper Sailing

Lymington, United Kingdom

Kipper Sailing provides online training for RYA Theory qualifications.

Maersk Training Esbjerg A/S

Esbjerg, Denmark

Our range of training courses covers basic training of shipping company employees who have never worked on a vessel, all the way to experienced seafarers doing complex simulator driven scenarios for anchor handling and bridge resource management.

Marine Concept

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Marine Concept’s sea school provides IYT maritime training, certification and licenses from beginner level up to IYT MOY Limited 200 Tons and STCW Basic Safety Training.

Maritime School of the West Indies

Marigot, St Martin

The Maritime School of the West Indies in St. Maarten - St. Martin is the oldest, officially recognized, IYT affiliated and most probably best maritime school in the entire Caribbean. The school runs monthly STCW courses, STCW refreshing courses, Small Powerboat and RIB, VHF course and many others. The school runs also the Master 200 Ton etc. All courses are MCA recognized.

Námorná škola v Bratislave

Bratislava, Slovakia

Maritime School in Bratislava is educational establishment providing training for operational level in deck and engine departments.

Temse, Belgium

NaviClass is a private organisation specialised in theoretical and practical navigation courses for people who want to learn to cruise or navigate at a professional level.

Kamperland, Netherlands

Nova Scotia Community College

Nova Scotia, Canada

NSCC's Nautical Institute offers a variety of training options for students who want to start a career in the marine sector.

Ondeck Antigua

Falmouth, Antigua

Ondeck Antigua leads the way in the development of professional and leisure training courses in the Caribbean with an unrivalled range of course including STCW course.

Resolve Maritime Academy

Fort Lauderdale, FL, United States of America

Our intensive maritime training courses include shipboard and land-based fire and safety, damage control, STCW- and MCA-approved safety, navigation, resource management, and additional marine safety training utilizing our state-of-the-art bridge, engine, and environmental simulators. All courses are taught by officers with first-hand marine and firefighting experience, giving our students access to instructors with real-life experience in the situations they are training for. This, in combination with our industry-leading facilities and technology, makes Resolve Maritime Academy’s training as real as it gets.

Sail & Power

Costa del Sol, Spain

We are offering a SuperYacht courses for interior and exterior staff, as well as Powerboat, VHF, Yachtmaster courses accredited by the RYA. We are based in Estepona, Spain and have a fleet of 4 boats and classroom facilities here in the port of Estepona.

Sail and Power SA

Training centre in Cape Town for Yacht Crew with RYA, MCA courses, for all types of vessels and crew positions, Deckhand, Stewardess, International Skippers License We provide instructor training courses for Jet ski and powerboat students to work as instructors on yachts and international Schools.

Sail In Asia

Phuket & Pattaya, Thailand

Sail in Asia provide recreational and professional yacht training from beginner up to IYT Master of Yachts and Yachtmaster. We all run monthly STCW basic safety training (STCW95 / STCW2010) including the new Ship Security Awareness module.

Sea & Shore Safety Services

Dublin, Ireland

Sea and Shore Safety Services Ltd. is an organisation which provides safety training in relation to marine.

Seascope Maritime Training

Liverpool, United Kingdom

We are a leader in delivering STCW95 Maritime training and we boast to be the only commercially experienced and competitively priced provider on Merseyside.

Seasecretary

Master mariner and working pilots head this MCA approved STCW training provider in the heart of Liverpool. Sea survival course PST, Pssr and partners providing STCW Elementary first aid, medical care and HELM. Michelin star restaurant training facility and etiquette training. Quality Training by the Captains of industry "Its your safety at sea" insist on the best!

Sjöklar Kustakademi AB

Stockholm and Göteborg, Sweden

Vill du arbeta ombord på större fartyg? Då är Basic Safety Training, STCW 95 krav för att få jobb. Sätt fart på drömmarna!

STAR Center

Florida, United States of America

STAR Center is a not-for-profit maritime training school that is the top choice of inland and ocean-going professional mariners.

STC B.V. (Simulation Training & Consultancy)

Rotterdam, Netherlands

STC B.V. develops and provides training and education including STCW courses.

Super Yachting Nautical Careers (SYNC Training)

Training is based at the foot of the iconic Table Mountain, one of the 7 Wonders of Word. Training is done in beautiful settings by instructors who are passionate about sharing their knowledge, skills and are warm with students who are eager to join the Superyacht Industry. We believe in training students to be competent in all aspects when applying for a position on board a yacht. www.synctraining.co.za. Due to our first-hand experience on board, we are able to advise accordingly as to what is best suited for each individual joining the industry. The school has been running successfully for over five years and offers a wide range of training starting with the Superyacht Steward / Stewardess interior course and the Highfield Food Safety level 2. There are many other courses that run under SYNC. To name a few would be, Flower arranging and Table Scaping, STCW + DSD, International Bartenders, Professional Barista, Yacht Therapy and Beauty Training, Superyacht Chef training, Deckhand basics and even up to Captain and Engineer licences, including the basics like the RYA Powerboat Level 2, RYA PWC (Jetski) and VHF Radio, Yacht Rating, RYA Competent Crew Practical, RYA Day Skipper Theory, RYA Day Skipper Practical and RYA Radar. Instructors are also highly experienced professionals that have worked many years in the Superyacht industry, are enthusiastic and truly care about helping you achieve your highest dreams in yachting, learning from their personal journey and go into the industry fully informed and assured that we have your back and will be there for you not just at the start but for anytime you need us thereafter. We will arrange beautifully comfortable accommodation for you as well which is added to your training invoice. All you need to do is book and get yourself to Cape Town from no matter where you are in the world.

Superyacht Crew Academy

NSW, Australia

The Superyacht Crew Academy was established in 2002, and is Australia's leading Superyacht and maritime education provider. Providing training in a number of different fields, they are accredited to provide MCA-approved IYT international certification, as well as the Australian AMSA certification, which is required to work in Australia. Superyacht Crew Academy operate entry level courses, including the internationally mandatory STCW95+10 Basic Safety Training, and Deckhand and Stewardess courses, through to the more advanced Master of Yachts and Celestial Navigation courses. AMSA courses, including General Purpose Hand, Coxswain, Master < 24m, MEDII & MEDIII, are also offered as part of their curriculum. Our Fastrack program is also held twice a year, training you from zero experience to the Superyacht Master of Yachts 200 ton Captain ticket in ll weeks, for crew wanting to jump start their Superyacht careers. It does not matter if you have years of boating experience behind you, or you have never set foot aboard a boat; the Superyacht Crew Academy can get you qualified, competent and job-ready to start your career in only a matter of weeks. The Academy will take you through all the relevant training and certification required to be totally capable, employable and a valuable crew member on board a Superyacht. All our courses are taught by highly experienced, certified trainers, who will provide you with the relevant skills and knowledge to excel in any role. Obligation-free and cost-free Superyacht industry consultation is also available for anyone wishing to pursue a career onboard. Team members take you through all the details required to make an informed decision about your future one-on-one, and discuss the Superyacht industry, which career path would suit you best, and how to get started and settled in Australia or overseas. With Superyacht and maritime training courses operating every 3 weeks throughout the year, the Superyacht Crew Academy is the best start in the Superyacht and maritime industries, wherever in the world that you choose.

Superyacht Training Academy

The Superyacht Training Academy, Cape Town, is an elite maritime Institute providing Internationally recognised training for professional yacht crew. We pride ourselves in releasing crew into the Superyacht industry who are confident, competent, and responsible. Our comprehensive programmes for Superyacht Deckhand, Stewardess and Chef are world-class training programmes that equip superyacht personnel to perform at their optimum. Our Career packages focus on the primary qualifications needed to assure success in obtaining the best jobs and maintaining them as a chosen career path

Szkoła Morska w Gdyni

Gdynia, Poland

Ośrodek szkoleniowy Szkoła Morska w Gdyni powstał w marcu 1998 roku.

The Nautical Academy

Complete super yacht crew training facility at MB92 shipyard. On board STCW crew training, RYA courses, medical instruction, fire safety school and culinary courses.

The Training Academy

Gosport, United Kingdom

The Training Academy offers classroom based Superyacht Interior and Deck Crew training including STCW for people wanting to start a career in the superyacht industry. We also offer bespoke training for superyacht crews and seminars for the PYA and MYBA. Our training centre is in the UK. The Training Academy is the classroom and tailored training division of the Maritime Services Group. Maritime Services Group includes Maritime Services International, one of the world’s leading maritime surveying specialists and Maritime Training Academy, a market leader in distance learning.

Tortola Sailing School

Tortola, British Virgin Islands

We offer the MCA approved Master of Yachts 200 gt limited and Unlimited training schemes that need no further commercial endorsement. Seafarers serving on UK Coded Vessels (24m-3000gt) with RYA qualifications have found some overseas administrations will not accept their qualifications. This is usually due to there being no reference to STCW 95 on Yacht master Certificates. The MOY 200gt is designed as a bridging qualification between the RYA Yacht master / Yacht master Ocean and MCA Deck Officer Structure and the pre-requisite is STCW95 so this course is becoming more popular than the RYA Yacht master offshore.

UKSA is a charity who believe in the power of the sea to make a change. We offer the very best professional maritime training courses alongside youth development programmes to help young people transform their lives for the better.

Unicorn Shipping

Durban, South Africa

The Unicorn Training School, situated in Durban on the east coast of South Africa, is a registered establishment that conducts courses required by the marine and allied industries.

Warsash Superyacht Academy

Southampton, United Kingdom

Warsash Superyacht Academy are experts in superyacht training. Giving you quality training courses for the global superyacht industry.

Western Maritime Training

Plymouth, United Kingdom

Western Maritime Training is an ISO accredited, MCA,SQA, AMERC and IAMI approved provider of maritime training in the South West of the UK. Located in Plymouth, Devon, we offer training for mariners at every level, from STCW basic week to preparation for MCA Master Unltd CoC Orals, GOC/ROC radio, AEC, ECDIS, EDH and will offer OOW <3000 from the New Year. Specialist training for companies can be organised using our Full Mission bridge simulator. All of our instructors are Master Mariners or technical specialists and all hold professional training qualifications.

Xone Superyacht Academy

Gocek, Dalaman, Bodrum, Istanbul, Izmir, Antalya, Turkey

Xone Superyacht Academy is a respected institution, exclusively focused on Superyacht Crew training. XSA, is fully qualified “Professional Instructor Training Level” partner school of IYT Worldwide (including MCA and Marshall Islands Flag State Approved trainings) and as well as of PYA for Interior Crew trainings in its region. Academy is managed by highly sophisticated 6 Sigma & ISO 9001 Quality Management System and exclusively certified by Lloyds Register Quality Assurance (LRQA) as sole Training Center having this certification in Turkey. Whole Professional Instructors are exclusively graduate of Merchant Maritime Faculty with vast experiences on Yachting Industry, so this warrants the quality of the training you receive here. XSA also provides a unique and balanced Hospitality and G.U.E.S.T. programme training for Interior Crew and career path to train candidates with the vital practical and management skills required throughout a Superyacht career. Interior Crew Training program is a learning platform to improve your career in different levels in Super Yacht Industry. To fullfill your dreams on bluewater all you need to do is stare at the horizon and follow our motto of “BE YOUR MASTER!”

Xone Superyacht Academy Malta

Pietà, Malta

Xone Superyacht Academy is a respected institution, exclusively focused on Superyacht Crew training. XSA, is fully qualified "Professional Instructor Training Level". The Academy is offering Malta Flag State approved as well as a partner school of IYT Worldwide (including MCA and Marshall Islands Flag State Approved trainings). Academy is managed by highly sophisticated 6 Sigma & ISO 9001 Quality Management System and exclusively certified by Lloyds Register Quality Assurance (LRQA) as sole Training Center having this certification in Turkey. Whole Professional Instructors are exclusively graduate of Merchant Maritime Faculty with vast experiences on Yachting Industry, so this warrants the quality of the training you receive here. XSA also provides a unique and balanced Hospitality and G.U.E.S.T. programme training for Interior Crew and career path to train candidates with the vital practical and management skills required throughout a Superyacht career. Interior Crew Training program is a learning platform to improve your career in different levels in Super Yacht Industry. To fullfill your dreams on bluewater all you need to do is stare at the horizon and follow our motto of "BE YOUR MASTER!"

Email address:

Remember me Forgotten password?

Password Reset

Enter your email address and we will email you a password reset link.

Email address:

• Online Courses
• Useful Info

Superyacht Deckhand Course

Home Courses Superyacht Deckhand Course

COURSE DATES

The course is 9 days in total and is reflected in the following order:

Superyacht Deckhand Course:  Wed-Sat & Mon-Fri (9 days)

• Aug : 1 4-17 & 19-23 2024

• Sep : 11-14 & 16-20 2024

• Oct 09-12 & 14-18 2024

• Nov : 06-09 & 11-15 2024

• Dec : 04-07 & 09-13 2024

*Course run over Sunday due to public holiday

• Jan : 15-18 & 20-24 202 5

• Feb : 05 -08 & 10-14 2025

• Feb : 26-01 & 03-07 2025

• Mar : 19-22 & 24-28 2025

• Apr : 09-17* 2025

• May : 07-10 & 12-16 2025

• J un : 04-07 & 09-13 2025

*Course run on Sunday due to Public Holiday

MCA Internationally recognised training to become a superyacht deckhand. This IYT Deckhand Training Course is a qualification, unlike the recreational sailing “Competent Crew” course which is being offered through other superyacht training providers.

The IYT Deckhand Training Course certification is the only internationally recognised qualification for deckhands. Your graduation certificate will be accredited by International Yacht Training (IYT) Worldwide, who has recognition with 25 governments across the globe.

The  Superyacht Deckhand course will ensure students become job ready, receive resume and career advice, participate in interview role plays and undertake further crew management training. A deckhand carries out his or her duties under the direction and authority of the captain via the first officer and/or bosun. A deckhand’s duties include keeping the yacht’s exterior and deck equipment clean and exquisitely maintained, assisting in watch keeping and navigational support, guest services and docking procedures. Students will receive extensive training in these areas and the course provides the theoretical and practical skills required to be a successful crew member onboard a superyacht. Both power and sail superyacht skills are covered in the course, which will increase your opportunities for placement once you graduate.

Certification You Will Achieve

All successful graduates receive the following certification:

IYT – International

• MCA Recognised IYT Superyacht Deck Crew including Small Powerboat/RIB Master & introduction to VHF radio operations. This IYT certificate is equivalent to the MCA’s ‘Yacht Rating Course’ and enables candidates to apply for an MCA ‘Yacht Rating Certificate’ with proof of STCW and 2 months sea service on vessels over 15 metres in load line length. For more information on this visit IYT’s website and their Superyacht Deck Crew Course page or contact us for more information. This is a certificate you can work towards achieving once employed in the industry. ***This IYT certificate is equivalent to the MCA’s ‘Yacht Rating Course’ and enables candidates to apply for an MCA ‘Yacht Rating Certificate’ with proof of STCW and 2 months sea service on vessels over 15 metres in load line length. For more information on this visit IYT’s website and their Superyacht Deck Crew Course page or contact us for more information. This is a certificate you can work towards achieving once employed in the industry.

AMSA – National

Our Internationally Recognised Certifications Are Your Entry To Getting A Job Aboard A Superyacht

The MCA recognised IYT Deckhand Training Course is the only internationally recognised qualification for superyacht deckhand crews. Your graduation certificate will be accredited by International Yacht Training (IYT) Worldwide, who has recognition with 25 governments across the globe. The RIB tender certificate is recognised by the Maritime Coastguard Agency (MCA).

The Superyacht Crew Academy has established over the years a global network with leading recruitment agencies overseas and within Australia. All of these Superyacht Crew recruitment agencies ‘acknowledge’ and welcome the IYT Professional Superyacht Interior Crew certification.

Prerequisites

Candidates must already hold the mandatory STCW95+10 certification. This is the entry-level course for superyacht crew and anyone with a reasonable command of the English language, who is over 18 years old, in good health, and without colour blindness can sign up for the course.

What Other Qualifications Will I Need?

NSW General Powerboat licence and NSW Personal Watercraft licence examinations can be organised to run as part of your Deckhand training. Please contact us to organise these certifications.

Our Superyacht Interior Crew & Deckhand Package course is the ultimate package and will provide you with all the theoretical and practical skills necessary to excel in a dual role. This combined package course enhances your employment opportunities and gives you the confidence to be employed in any entry level role onboard a Superyacht.

Other useful qualifications, like SCUBA diving, videography, photography, carpentry, strong swimming skills, watersport skills, will improve your Superyacht Crew Job prospects and make you a more valuable crew member. Outstanding physical endurance, athletic skills, and a pleasant disposition are important for a career aboard Superyachts.

Course Description:

Course Content: The course is a very hands on practical course where you will complete different tasks and duties, Students are required to participate in all practical tasks including taking command of the vessel.

Accommodation: Accommodation will be required to be arranged by the student. Check out our Student Accommodation section with recommended listings of local Airbnb or youth hostel accommodation during your course.

Sun Sense & Equipment: Please bring a hat, sunglasses, sun cream (also available onboard), change of clothes (minimal wardrobe needed), wet weather jacket, any special medicine you may need to take (we have a first aid kit aboard). Be sure to pack this in a flexible soft bag as there is no room aboard for hard luggage.

Training Location

The course is run from our Office in Warriewood Superyacht Crew Academy Training office at 25a/5 Ponderosa Parade , and our practical training facility in Newport 2 queens parade. The facilities are a 45min drive North of Sydney’s CBD. We offer a free shuttle  between both facilities when needed.

Program for the Superyacht Deckhand Course

• Nautical Knowledge
• Lifting & Rigging
• Shipboard Safety
• Emergency Drills
• Vessel Manoeuvring
• Collision regulations
• Watchkeeping
• Introduction to weather
• Code of Safe Working Practices
• Compasses and chartwork
• Taking Bearings
• Fix vessels position
• Navigation Passage planning
• Night Watchkeeping
• Passage from fixed point back to Pittwater
• Night pilotage using IALA and blind navigation techniques

Superyacht Maintenance

• Brightwork/ Varnishing
• Preparation of Surfaces
• Application Techniques
• Product Knowledge
• Teak Maintenance
• Exterior Wash Down Techniques
• Servicing Deck Gear
• Maintenance Schedule
• Stainless Polishing
• Cleaning Windows
• Engine checks and maintenance

Vessel Handling

• Coming alongside wharves
• Mooring techniques
• Anchoring procedures
• Line handling and line throwing techniques
• Sails and sail handling
• Emergency Scenarios
• General seamanship
• Line throwing techniques
• Ropes, knots and splicing
• Fendering and tying up correctly
• Pre-launch/pre-departure checks
• Refuelling procedures
• RIB handling techniques under power
• Coming Alongside vessels and wharves
• MOB procedures
• Engine checks
• VHF radio practical
• Dinghy launching & recovery
• Bridge equipment
• Conducting safety briefing
• Lights/sound signals
• Vessel handling theory
• Anchors & anchoring
• Nautical terminology
• Emergency procedures
• VHF/HF radio operation
• Phonetic alphabet

The Superyacht Deckhand Course can be taken as a stand-alone course. Contact us for more information and pricing. Recognition of Prior Learning or Credit Transfer will apply to achieve the AMSA – National certification.

Enquire about this course.

Superyacht Crew Academy Provides training and certification for people who wish to work on Superyachts anywhere in the world and within the Australian Maritime Industry. Legal Name: Club Sail Pty. Ltd. Trading as: Superyacht Crew Academy Registered Training Organisation no. 91462

Unit 25a/5 Ponderosa Parade, Warriewood, NSW 2102, Australia.

+61 2 9979 9669

[email protected]

The enemy within: Blasts from Australian soldiers' own weapons may be causing brain injury

Topic: Defence Forces

Science now suggests physical brain injuries incurred by weapon blasts are impacting soldiers' mental health. ( ABC News: Brendan Esposito / ADF )

The physical and mental scars of war are well-documented, but only now are medical researchers starting to understand the grave neurological risks to soldiers.

One of the major concerns is the brain injuries seen in troops repeatedly exposed to blasts from their own weapons — even in training — and the alarming links to suicide.

The ABC interviewed more than two dozen veterans and current ADF personnel, including special forces soldiers, who've had high degrees of blast exposure. Some have never seen combat, but have had repeated exposure in training operations. This is the first in a series of stories reflecting their own experiences.

'Someone needs his brain'

In the fog of grief, Gwen Cherne didn't think to donate her late husband's brain to science. ( ABC News: Brendan Esposito )

Gwen Cherne is a woman with few regrets.

But she does have one: that she didn't save her husband's brain after he took his own life.

Before Peter Cafe died in 2017, things were difficult. The decorated commando had become angry and distant, and was growing anxious that his career was ending.

He was recovering from a stroke nine months earlier and had the symptoms of PTSD.

But, she says, he thought something else was happening inside his brain.

"We knew that something was wrong with his cognition," she said.

Peter suffered crippling headaches, memory loss, ringing in his ears, insomnia and trouble controlling his temper.

"He had headaches all the time, so significant and so bad … I think that was probably why he just disconnected."

His personal history, too, was complex.

"He was a child of trauma. He inflicted trauma. He was both a victim and a perpetrator of family and domestic violence," Gwen Cherne explained.

"After one episode of him being really impatient with the kids, I asked him to get help and he got violent with me.

"I left with the kids.

"That was on Friday. Monday, he died by suicide."

She now suspects her husband, a highly regarded special forces explosives trainer, was suffering from a newly recognised type of brain injury caused by exposure to blasts.

Peter Cafe served in the ADF for almost three decades before he died in 2017. ( Supplied: Gwen Cherne )

Scientists have discovered the invisible blast waves repeatedly buffeting soldiers' brains in routine training are causing new kinds of visible physical brain injury, inflammation and scarring.

The debilitating symptoms of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) can look a lot like PTSD and other psychological conditions experienced by many veterans.

Soldiers are most exposed to blast waves during repetitive heavy weapon training exercises — meaning even those who never see active combat are at risk.

Data from the US Pentagon now shows veterans who routinely train and work around weapons blasts have the highest rates of suicide in the armed forces.

And it's trainers like Peter Cafe, running those courses day in and day out, who are among the most exposed.

For most of his long career with the Australian Defence Force, Peter Cafe was an elite soldier, busting down doors and putting his life at risk to get into hard-to-reach places.

"Pete was an explosives and method-of-entry expert, which meant he was really good at blowing things up and breaching doors and entryways," she said.

But it was his time as a trainer, teaching others the art of explosives, that she believes left the former commando struggling to function.

"He would have been [at the training facility] all day, every day, for so many of those charges, unlike everyone else who would rotate through that, for safety reasons," she said.

Gwen says Peter doted on their daughter Emily. ( Supplied: Gwen Cherne )

Blast damage can only be confirmed after death, when the delicate brain tissue is sliced open and studied under a microscope.

"I wish in that moment I had had clarity to say, 'Someone needs his brain. We need to see what's in it, what's going on, and actually analyse it and help other people.'"

Gwen Cherne has been appointed as the first Veterans Family Commissioner, working with the Department of Veterans Affairs.

In the years since her husband's death, she's watched some of his former special forces colleagues struggle with a disturbingly familiar set of symptoms.

Hidden toll on ADF veterans

The ABC has interviewed more than two dozen ADF veterans with symptoms of mTBI, which they believe is linked to years spent firing heavy weapons and using explosives.

All worked in positions involving high levels of exposure to blasts during training, many at the special forces training facility at Holsworthy Barracks in New South Wales.

They described symptoms like debilitating headaches, memory loss, tinnitus and personality changes, including uncharacteristic impulsivity and rage.

One former special forces soldier said towards the end of his career he felt a "sting" through his body after a charge went off nearby, followed by extreme fatigue.

"I don't want to sound like a pussy but these things are stinging my body and head," he recalled telling colleagues during routine training firing a rocket launcher.

He now has short-term memory loss and chronic headaches.

He said after leaving defence, his cognitive testing results showed such a severe deficit that his neuropsychologist asked if he'd ever been smashed "with a baseball bat to the front of [his] forehead or in a car crash".

He then saw a neurologist who concluded that with no physical trauma to explain the cognitive decline, his traumatic brain injury was likely due to repeated blast exposure.

"We all talk about it amongst ourselves and we all know it's from explosives, but it's not recognised anywhere," he said.

A serving ADF member not authorised to speak publicly said some soldiers seemed to be more affected than others, but the impacts of blast exposure were obvious.

"People are taking the piss who think shooting a rocket off your shoulder isn't going to produce some kind of brain injury," he said.

Many veterans who spoke to the ABC admitted to uncharacteristic and sometimes violent fits of rage. Some said they'd started drinking heavily.

They all knew colleagues who had taken their own lives. Several said they had also considered or attempted suicide themselves.

Most had also been diagnosed with PTSD, a diagnosis some felt wasn't right, because they hadn't seen active combat or couldn't pinpoint a traumatic event that could have caused it.

This month the US deputy defence secretary issued a memo acknowledging personnel were experiencing "possible adverse effects on brain health and cognitive performance" from exposure to blast overpressure (BOP).

The memo described BOP as "the sudden onset of a pressure wave … caused by the energy released during explosions and weapons firing".

It said the reported symptoms included "headache, decreased reaction time, attention difficulty, memory loss".

While US Defense acknowledged that the condition was not yet fully understood, it ordered officials to take immediate action to better protect soldiers.

Peter Cafe spent years training troops to breach doors and entry ways, using explosive force. ( Supplied: Gwen Cherne )

Another veteran told the ABC they thought mTBI was being routinely misdiagnosed as PTSD here in Australia because the symptoms can be similar.

"The fact we are treating PTSD but not blast-related traumatic brain injury is a problem because the way you treat both is very different," they said.

"When people aren't seeing results, it can increase the risk of suicide."

Despite the US Pentagon figures, which show suicide rates of soldiers in roles with high degrees of blast exposure are almost double that of their counterparts, comparative data is not available in Australia.

The ABC asked the ADF if it or any of its partner agencies were working "to obtain similar data by occupation and exposure", but the ADF did not address the question.

Memory loss, irritability, impulsivity and anger

The potential health implications of blast exposure go far beyond special forces soldiers.

ADF personnel including infantry, artillery armour, engineers and naval gunners, as well as those within state and federal police tactical units, are most at risk because they regularly work with explosives and heavy weapons.

After World War I, "shell shock" was deemed an inability to deal with the stress and difficulties of war, but Professor Anne McKee, considered a world-leading expert in neurodegenerative disease, said modern science paints the picture in much greater detail.

"Now we know there are actual injuries to the brain," said Professor McKee, who is the chief of neuropathology at Boston VA Healthcare System.

Leading neuropathologist Professor Ann McKee directs multiple brain banks in Boston, including one for Veterans Affairs. ( Supplied: VA Boston Healthcare System )

Professor McKee has studied the brains of hundreds of veterans, and says the impacts of blasts vary and can include brain inflammation, changes to white matter, and a new kind of damage called Interface Astroglial Scarring.

Under the microscope, this looks like tiny star-shaped scars that appear after damage to the surface of the brain between the white and grey matter.

"There's something about the blast wave injury that causes these two parts of the brain to slide against each other and cause scarring," she said.

Professor McKee said the science behind brain injury from repeated low-level blasts was still evolving but it had likely been under-diagnosed for years.

"There's an awareness that something's not right. There's an awareness that their brain isn't in their control. There's something going wrong," she said.

She says the most common symptoms include memory loss, irritability, impulsivity and anger.

"In some cases, they can feel that their sleep is disturbed, that they are more aggressive, more prone to violence, like a small infraction makes them have sort of an exaggerated response," Dr McKee said.

"They can be quite depressed and feel hopeless and suicidal."

In the absence of Peter Cafe's brain tissue, it's impossible to know whether blast exposure contributed to his death.

But Gwen Cherne believes it was a factor.

"I believe there is no way that you can do the jobs he did, military and overseas, have the expertise that he had, be exposed to it so often and not have any impact on your brain," she said.

From happy-go-lucky to short-tempered and angry

Not long after attending Peter Cafe's memorial in 2017, friend and special forces soldier Paul Dunbavin's memory started failing too.

Peter Cafe had trained him in explosives years earlier, before Paul also became a demolition instructor, running hundreds of training exercises for young troops.

Paul Dunbavin wants to have his brain injury recognised so he can move forward. ( ABC News: Brendan Esposito )

"I've been exposed to blasts from my whole military career, but special forces exposes you due to the nature of the training — they've got to train at the operational edge and that requires pushing the boundaries," he said.

Paul was in the prime of his career, having been appointed to the senior role of command sergeant major of Australia's Special Operations Command.

It was around then that his wife, Nicolle Hann-Dunbavin, first noticed personality changes in her husband.

"He's gone from happy-go-lucky and very relaxed to quite a serious person, and quite short-tempered with the kids in particular," she said.

He described uncharacteristic bursts of anger "which would go from, like zero to 1,000 degrees", especially with his teenage boys.

Nicolle said it had been hard to explain to their children why their father had changed.

Nicolle says she worried about Paul when he was on deployment, but thought when he retired they'd lead a relaxed life. ( ABC News: Brendan Esposito )

"Yeah, it's been pretty tough and just getting the kids to understand what's going on, because sometimes he does react in a way that he normally wouldn't," she said.

Retired from full-time service and struggling with memory loss, he now sees neurologist Dr Rowena Mobbs.

She believes it's likely he had the same type of mTBI seen in professional athletes subjected to multiple concussions — known as chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).

"I think there are many servicemen and women who are experiencing these types of symptoms [and decline] with abnormal testing and results," she said.

Differentiating direct head injury from damage caused by repeated low-level blast exposure is more difficult.

"We don't have that technology yet on our brain imaging to understand that microscopic damage and to see it, so these tests such as MRI and PET scan really are a broad brush at this stage,"

"Blast damage — we cannot know for sure unless we looked under the microscope pathologically after death." Dr Mobbs said.

In April, Paul Dunbavin submitted a claim for mild traumatic brain injury to the Department of Veteran Affairs (DVA) to acknowledge his brain injury and cover medical expenses.

"I'm not asking for anything. I just want them to recognise the condition is due to service," he said.

He's yet to receive a response, but in a statement, the DVA said current and former members "are encouraged to claim for these conditions".

He has pledged his brain to be studied after his death to help other veterans.

Paul Dunbavin had a decorated military career, finishing his career as a command sergeant major of Australia's Special Operations Command. ( Supplied: Paul Dunbavin (ADF) )

Australia's only Veterans Brain Bank has been operating for a year but has only had one brain donated so far.

Its director, Professor Michael Buckland, says efforts have been hampered by a lack of awareness of the impacts of blast damage, as well as a lack of funding.

"We need to be able to retrieve brains from across the country in a timely way to make sure that they are most valuable for research," he said.

"And then we need as many people, as many veterans as possible, to sign up, to understand the full spectrum of exposure in the veterans' community."

ADF taking 'precautionary approach' to research

In the US there's considerable investment in research into ways to protect troops from exposure to blasts from their own weapons.

Tiny blast gauges, attached to soldiers' helmets and armour, are being widely used to track how much blast over pressure soldiers are being exposed to in training.

"Then you can actually start regulating and saying, OK, this person, you've had too much for this week. You need to step back and have a rest and come back next week," Dr Buckland explains.

It is something the ADF has been considering for more than a decade but is yet to fully implement.

Paul Dunbavin in Afghanistan, where he took part in Project Cerebro, where soldiers were fitted with blast gauges to monitor their exposure to pressure waves from weapons. ( Supplied: Paul Dunbavin )

As far back as 2012, an ADF trial of thousands of soldiers fitted with blast gauges found "personnel are exposed to potentially harmful blasts effects" in both combat and training.

The trial was run by Diggerworks, an ADF department that looks at technological innovations.

The published study recommended more mTBI research and that the gauges continue to be used.

The ADF decided against a wide-scale roll-out of the gauges, and in a statement, told the ABC "the technology was not fully matured and that without additional research it would be premature to introduce into service".

The ABC can reveal a second trial was conducted in 2016, during an annual live fire training exercise called Chong Ju.

It found a notable and dangerous risk from blast overpressure, and again recommended the continued use of gauges.

Despite the recommendations, blast gauges weren't introduced. The ADF said the 2016 trial "contributed to the understanding of [blast overpressure] impacts', but it would be years before they conducted another.

"It wasn't until I read that report that I truly understood the dangers of blast overpressure," said former commando Paul Scanlan.

"I realised we were hurting our soldiers," he said.

Paul Scanlan became the acting Director of Diggerworks in 2019 — the same year blast gauges were trialled a third time.

"By 2019, Diggerworks had gathered sufficient blast data to identify that there was a problem," he said.

Mr Scanlan said he referred that data to Defence in 2020. The ADF confirmed to the ABC its fourth blast gauge trial commenced in June 2024.

In contrast, federal police and some state forces have been far swifter to introduce blast gauges.

Victoria Police said in a statement that select Special Operations Group members had been wearing blast gauges to monitor training exposure since as far back as 2021.

The ABC understands police task forces in New South Wales and South Australia are also using blast gauges, as well as the Australian Federal Police.

Blast gauges are worn on the back of a soldier's helmet to measure the level of overpressure on the brain.

In its statement, the ADF said it had been involved in research and trials relating to blast exposure for more than a decade and was taking a "precautionary approach".

It said internal guidance was updated last year to include measures to minimise exposure to repeated low-level blast overpressure where possible.

"The guidelines make clear that where ADF members are exposed to blast overpressure, individuals will be assessed and monitored, in accordance with Defence procedures and relevant data relating to the exposure is recorded," the statement said.

"Existing work, health and safety systems are employed to manage and minimise exposure to repeated low-level blast exposure."

Call for more brain injury research and awareness

Paul Scanlan has now set up Vigil Australia, a social enterprise dedicated to raising awareness of blast exposure and its links to mTBI within the ADF, veteran, and police communities.

"The sad truth is that Australia is far behind … with little research or action being taken on this critical issue," he said.

In the US there's bipartisan support for the Blast Overpressure Safety Act introduced to Congress earlier this year, which will give oversight and force action to protect troops from blasts.

It's the kind of action Paul Scanlan says is urgently needed here.

"I've attended far too many funerals of commandos who took their own lives, likely due to undiagnosed mTBI," he said.

The Royal Commission into Defence and Veterans Suicide (DVSRC) is currently looking into systemic issues and risk factors relevant to suicide.

An interim report released in 2022 made no reference to the potential risks of blast overpressure exposure and its links to mTBI or suicide.

The commission's findings are due to be delivered next month.

Nicolle and Paul are doing their best to manage his condition in his retirement. ( ABC News: Brendan Esposito )

If this story has caused issues for you, please call:

• Lifeline 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 46 36
• Veterans & Families Counselling Open Arms on 1800 011 046
• ADF Mental Health All-hours Support Line on 1800 628 036
• National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service on 1800RESPECT / 1800 737 732
• Australian Veterans Brain Bank on (02) 9351 0943

Editor's note (August 20, 2024): An earlier version of this story featured an image of an 81mm mortar tube, which was incorrectly referred to as a Carl Gustav. The image was supplied to the ABC by a third party image provider, which misidentified the weapon.