Course Overview

Build the technical knowledge and practical awareness needed for the deck department yacht crew pathway.

The Deck Package is a structured online training pathway for aspiring and early-career deck crew. It combines the Sailing Course and Deck Course to build a strong theoretical foundation across sailing operations, navigation basics, COLREGs, seamanship, deck procedures, safety systems and preventative maintenance.

Designed for self-paced learning, the package helps you understand the knowledge behind the role before stepping onboard. You will learn the terminology, procedures and operational principles used by deck teams, while developing awareness of safe vessel operation, maintenance standards and the practical drills you may encounter onboard.

Whether you are exploring how to become a deckhand, preparing for your first deck role, already working onboard and looking to strengthen your technical understanding, or supporting the development of junior crew, the Deck Package provides clear and professionally structured online learning.

What You Will Learn

By the end of the package, you will understand:

• Essential sailing and nautical terminology
• The basics of sailing, including hulls, keels, rigs, sails and manoeuvres
• The core Collision Regulations (COLREGs) used to support safe navigation
• Chart work basics, passage planning and the IALA Maritime Buoyage System
• The theory behind catamaran and monohull sailing drills
• Rigging and winch maintenance principles
• Essential knots, deck equipment and common deck procedures
• Operational deck drills including port operations, mooring, anchoring, tender handling and wash downs
• How Safety Management checklists support deck operations
• Preventative maintenance products, equipment, surfaces, locations and procedures
• How worklists, project documents and special purchases are used onboard