Every year, EUSC offers a Day Skipper/Competent Crew course that is usually run on Reading Week on the West Coast of Scotland. We run this course in collaboration with You & Sea, who kindly offer us a discount. The course is a practical that takes place over 2 weekends and 5 days in total, with 5 spaces to fill.

Competent Crew is an entry-level qualification that does not require any prior knowledge, and obtaining it shows that you have substantial knowledge about a cruising yacht and how it’s operated, and you are able to help the Skipper and First Mate if necessary.

Getting your Day Skipper qualification allows you to skipper yachts up to 70 feet, which means that you would be able to be the Skipper or First Mate of one of the boats in West Coast Cruise or Summer Sail Week – we’re always in need of sailors with qualifications to help us during cruises. This qualification requires some prior knowledge that will satisfy the Theory element of the qualification determined by the RYA.

There have also been talks of offering other courses such as VHF and First Aid, but whether we proceed with them or not will depend on demand and suitable dates, and we are always open to suggestions.

If you have any questions about the courses that we offer, contact our Yacht Cruising Secretary Irmak Genc at: yachtcruising@eusc.org.uk