Serious Sailing

We offer training nationwide to workboat skipper and personnel from the Irish Coastguard Service, the Civil Defence, National Parks and Wildlife Service boat crews, Dublin Fire Brigade Rescue boat crews, Fishery Protection Officers, RNLI personnel, fish farming organisations, passenger boat skippers and fishermen.

We provide training for commercial skippers seeking work worldwide. RYA Yachtmaster Certificate of Competence (commercially and STCW95 endorsed for 200 tonne vessels), STCW95 Firefighting, PSSR, PST and 1st AID.  Also GMDSS VHF SRC and RYA Radar.

We offer practical training at sea and shorebased theory courses. The school is recognised as a teaching establishment by the MCA, the  ISA, the RYA and the Department of Transport. We use displacement and high speed craft for commercial training.

Our courses are based in Killybegs, Roundstone, Bunowen Harbour, Rossaveal, Galway Bay and nationwide.

For up to date prices and availabilities on the following courses please contact us.

GMDSS VHF/DSC: Full SRC VHF/DSC radio course. Global Maritime Distress and Safety System - VHF - Digital Selective Calling – Short Range Certificate. Practical one day course with pre course study followed by Dept. of Transport exam.

GMDSS DSC: Upgrade to VHF/DSC. Practical half day course with pre course study followed by Dept. of Transport exam. This is for those who hold a VHF/SRC1 certificate and need to upgrade to a full SRC VHF/DSC certificate.

COASTAL NAVIGATION: Accredited navigation module to cover the required syallabus for entry to Level 3 Advanced Powerboat. ISA Coastal Navigation for Small Boats certificate.

ISA OR RYA OFFSHORE YACHTMASTER NAVIGATION: An advanced course covering chartwork, IRPCS, meteorology, safety and seamanship. ISA or RYA course completion certificate.

IMO SEA SURVIVAL: One day theory and practical course and assessment including in-pool session. STCW95 Personal Survival Techniques certificate.

RADAR: One day theory course and assessment including training on radar simulators. RYA Radar certificate.

FIRST AID: One day theory and practical course and assessment. STCW95 First Aid certificate.

DIESEL ENGINE MAINTAINANCE: One day practical course and assessment.

RYA Diesel Engine Maintainance certificate.

STCW95 PERSONAL SAFETY AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY (PSSR):  This course covers a wide range of safety and seamanship topics and is rapidly becoming a mandatory STCW95 certificate for commercial seamen.

STCW95 FIRE FIGHTING COURSE:  This course is normally required for skippers and commercial seamen.

ISA POWERBOAT LEVEL 2: National powerboat certificate with coastal endorsement. Two day practical and theory course and assessment in boat handling and basic seamanship.

ISA POWERBOAT LEVEL 2 DIRECT ASSESSMENT: Three hour practical assessment for experienced boat handlers.

ISA ADVANCED POWERBOAT LEVEL 3: Two day course including day and night pilotage and passage making. Includes night navigation with and without GPS, search and recovery, IRPCS, meteorology, emergency situations, advanced boat handling and care and maintainance of engines. You require ISA level 2 certificate and navigation training before attending this course.

DAY SKIPPER (MOTOR): Four day practical training and assessment covering the same basic course content as the Level 3 Advanced Powerboat course. You do not require any certification to attend this course. NB you are not qualified to carry passengers at night with this certificate.

PREPARATION: for RYA or ISA Coastal, Offshore or Ocean Yachtmaster examinations (with commercial endorsement). The RYA Yachtmaster certificates can be STCW95 endorsed for worldwide recognition.

Certificates for the practical courses above can have a commercial endorsement for Dept. of Transport (MSO) manning requirements.

Contact  095 23569  or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for advice on certificates required under the Dept. of Transport (MSO) “Manning Requirements” for your type of vessel and work.