Aside from helping beginners learn the ropes, boat training can help boost employability, give companies formal safety qualifications and even lower boat insurance. For private/non-commercial boat owners, training courses can often significantly lower your insurance costs – make sure to ask your insurer about discounted rates.
Sand Cay Boat Masters by Al Monro
Sand Cay Boat Masters is an International Yacht Training Worldwide (IYT) authorized school run by Alastair Monro who has over 25 years of professional yachting experience and over 10 years instructing up to the level of 200gt Yachtmaster Unlimited. Recreational courses available in Cayman include VHF Marine Communications Master SRC, Small Power Boat & Rib Master, International Crew (Sail), International Bareboat Skipper Sail, MCA International Certificate of Competence 24m Sail/10m power. Students need to be over 16 years old to obtain certification. The Rib Master course is popular with families with a runaround powerboat who wish to learn to operate it safely and the international Bareboat Skipper course is popular with those with a little more experience and is the minimum qualification required to obtain your International Certificate of Competence which is required if you wish to charter a vessel up to 24m abroad. For more information contact Al Monro on +1 345 328 5163 (Available on WhatsApp) or email: almonro65@gmail.com.
Go Pro Diving
Offer two boat training certifications which are administered by an agency called MTCI (Maritime Training & Certification International). This agency is recognized by Malta and is compliant with the newly drafted Caribbean Small Commercial Vessel Code.
Go Pro Diving offer the Level I Small Power Boat Operations course which is intended for new and seasoned recreational boaters wanting a license. They also offer the Level II commercial boating license which trains and certifies people for carrying passengers, taking night passages, and travelling a further distance off shore.
Pro Yacht
Pro Yacht offers the Small Powerboat and RIB Master course to anyone over the age of 16. This two day certified course covering the basics of boat handling, operations and safety which is perfect for families and children wanting to safely handle a boat. Classes are limited to three students for more personalised instruction. They also offer the VHF Communications course. Half of each of the courses are done online as they are the theory, and the second half is the practical.
You must be 16 or over to take this course and be mentally fit to operate a pleasure craft.
The Cayman Islands Sailing Club (CISC)
The Cayman Islands Sailing Club (CISC) now offers an International Bareboat Skipper Course (IYT). The course teaches you to skipper a boat internationally with friends and family, allowing you to charter a vessel of up to 78' ft long 20 miles offshore, subject to certain conditions (including moderate wind and sea waves). Minimum participation for the course is five people and you must be aged 16 and older to participate.
Theory classes are taught by Al Munro - qualified IYT instructor and examiner - on Mondays-Thursdays 5.30pm-9.30pm, and you are entitled to three practical sessions on the weekends.
Cayman Powerboat School
Other powerboat courses can be taken at Cayman Powerboat School (345) 916 8487 or 916 4731.