International Flotilla Skipper

This is a five day course aimed at increasing a student’s knowledge sufficiently to be a watchkeeper or a flotilla skipper on a live-aboard sail or power boat.

The International Flotilla Skipper Course consists of Modules 13 – 25 in the IYT International Boating & Sailing Passport.

Joining a “flotilla” is a fun and exciting way to learn how to confidently skipper a charter yacht for the very first time. A group of boats sail together (flotilla) along a set route, with a “lead boat”  in charge, overseeing the safety of all the boats where all the boats are within range of a VHF radio call if required. Before departing in the morning, a route is planned for the day with a set destination for the evenings so that all the boats can anchor or tie up to a mooring buoy (before dark) for the night. Generally speaking, flotillas are restricted to passages close to shore, in fair weather and in good visibility.  They are usually followed in the evenings by a beach bar-b-que or dinner together in a social atmosphere where students can swap stories and learn from each other. It is a great way to make new friends and build your confidence, while still enjoying the freedom of being in command of your own vessel with your family and friends.

• Candidates should be 16 years of age or over.
• No prerequisite sea time required for this certificate.
• Must have taken IYT’s International Crew physical course with an IYT Partner School (candidates must either hold an IYT International Crew Certificate proving they have taken and passed the course, OR, a gold seal affixed to the IYT Boating & Sailing Passport signed by the school’s principal). Or they must hold an equivalent qualification from another training organisation.
• Hold an IYT VHF Radio Operators Certificate or equivalent from another training organisation.
  * Please note that we do not accept ISSA VHF qualifications.
  (If you are unsure if your radio license will be accepted, please send a scanned copy of the front and back of your license to [email protected].  We will verify that your license is sufficient to receive the IYT International Flotilla Skipper license).  

Candidates must either hold a recognised VHF Radio Operators Certificate or must take the full IYT VHF-SRC Marine Communications course and school must place order for this certificate while placing order for the Flotilla Skipper Certificate of Competency.  If ordering VHF at the same time as Flotilla Skipper please upload a note to this effect.  We have provided a sample note to upload when placing order.

NOTE ABOUT POWER OR SAIL ENDORSEMENTS:

• If you undertake this course on a sailboat and later wish to obtain the International Flotilla Skipper Power you may do so by attending any IYT Partner school approved to offer the International Flotilla Skipper Power course and do the power training (Module 14 in the Passport Training Programme). 
  • This can usually be accomplished in 2 to 4 days depending upon the candidate’s experience as skipper of a sailing vessel.  This will be left to the discretion of each school based on the cv and sea time of the candidate.  
• If you undertake this course on a power vessel and later wish to obtain the International Flotilla Skipper Sail you may do so by attending any IYT Partner school approved to offer the International Flotilla Skipper Sail course and do the sail training (Module 15 in the Passport Training Programme). 
  • This can usually be accomplished in 2 to 4 days depending upon the candidate’s experience as skipper of a power vessel.  This will be left to the discretion of each school based on the cv and sea time of the candidate.  

Those who have obtained the International Flotilla Skipper qualification, can automatically obtain the “International Certificate of Competency” (ICC), provided the student meets the requirements as laid down by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (Resolution 40).  Please click this link for more information. 

Certificate Limitations

• Command of a sailing vessel up to a maximum length of 78 ft /24 metres as part of a flotilla
• In coastal waters up to 20 miles offshore
• In fair conditions with moderate wind and sea conditions
  • Most charter agencies will insist on daylight hours as a condition to charter.

It is the level of competence required when chartering a boat in the Mediterranean or West Indies where there are restrictions in terms of cruising area and distance from the base.

The “depth of knowledge” required for the theory portion of the International Flotilla Skipper course, is the same as required for the International Bareboat Skipper course, however,  the International Flotilla Skipper qualification is a great |”stepping stone” to safely acquiring the 200 miles and 10 days at sea as required to be awarded the IYT “International Bareboat Skipper” qualification.