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The superyacht segment is an exceptionally tough and demanding market. But it is also a very competitive one. And so, for new crew to have any hope of making it in this sector, they need not just training, but specialized training, in the context of superyachts. The gap between the training provided and the needs of new superyacht personnel is tentatively filled by online offerings from Seas The Day Training. Founded by Sarah Diggle, this enterprise provides a unique course that offers a level of training that is truly with it - that is, relevant to the way things are in today’s world of superyachts. Get with the program, and you have a chance of making it in this segment.
A critical need for comprehensive training, distilling far more than the standard STCW and ENG1 medical courses, was recognized. The industry has seen a call for training that takes new crew members far beyond the essential safety takeaways of these mandatory certifications and prepares them for the day-to-day life on board a superyacht. “Many crew members enter the industry with just the basics, which can lead to overwhelming situations during their trial periods,” Sarah explains. “The effects of an individual being unprepared can be catastrophic for all involved.”
To combat this issue, Sarah created a course that serves as a valuable resource for students, recruiters, maritime schools, and the yachts themselves. By providing a structured programme that can be completed from home—eliminating the need for expensive accommodation and travel—new crew members can equip themselves with the knowledge necessary to thrive in their new roles. The course also includes mental health support options, ensuring that students know they have the resources available should they need them.
The course content was determined by a collaboration of accredited industry leaders within the IAMI GUEST program. Though the main structure was already established, Sarah took the original six-week plan and built it into a solid six-month development process. This included making engaging videos and putting in her own career experiences. A seemingly strictly developed course takes a broad with room to make it engaging for students.
“My training style relies heavily on storytelling, role-play, and humour—there’s no room for ‘death by PowerPoint’ here!” Sarah states. “It was a challenge to convey my personality effectively on camera, but it was essential to create a relatable learning environment.”
This course is distinguished as the only accredited online training programme for new crew members, which is critical for those entering the industry. Sarah elaborates, “The accreditation process is rigorous. It requires proof of experience as a head of department, alongside thorough audits of both the coursework and the teaching location. This ensures a professional standard that students and employers can trust.”
The flourishing partnership between Bluewater and Seas The Day Training is already starting to make an impact on the superyacht training landscape. By supplying a comprehensive resource that meets the varied demands of newly arrived crew members, the initiative not only serves to fortify the industry’s underpinnings - it also to some degree serves to improve the industry’s recruiting prospects.
Upon completion of the course, students will get the chance for a one-on-one Zoom session with Sarah, during which they may obtain customized advice on what training they should pursue next, based on their visions for the kind of career they’re trying to build. It really underscores the "supportive nature of the course," as Sarah put it, and it connects students to maritime schools that can help them figure out what kind of further education (if any) is right for them.
In an industry where competition makes advanced planning a must, the collaboration between Bluewater and Seas The Day Training is breaking new ground in the online training of superyacht crew. The gaps in existing training methods are being plugged, with the addition of courses that make sense, address the safety and operational needs of the yacht, and disclose the responsibilities of the crew member taking the course. This represents a very big step in the training of superyacht crew for two reasons: First, it comprehensively covers the course content in an online format; and second, it does so in a manner that is actually relevant to the operational context in which the crew will be serving. More new crew members trained this way means a much safer and more responsibly operated superyacht fleet.
You can learn more about Seas The Day Training here.
