Description:
A short introduction to the thrills & spills of sailing, this course will provide you with a flavour of the sport in a controlled, safe environment
Aim:
The aim of this brief introductory course is to give you a positive introduction to the thrill of sailing.
Pre-requisites:
No prior experience or knowledge is required.  Where time allows, this course may be linked straight into Start Sailing which is the next course you should complete.
Duration:
½ - 2 days.
Assessment:
Assessment is continuous throughout the course.
Type of Boats:
This course may be completed in any type of sailing dinghy, small keel boat or catamaran.  Your certificate will show what type of boat you used.

Aim
By the end of this course you will be sailing in light wind conditions with assistance from your instructor.
Pre-requisites
You should be able to demonstrate the skills and knowledge included in Taste of Sailing.
Duration
2 - 10 days
Assessment
Assessment is continuous throughout the course. However, your instructor may also choose to use a formal practical assessment of boat handling skills and a short written paper or oral interview in assessing your level of background knowledge.
Types of Boats
This course may be completed in any type of sailing dinghy, small keelboat or catamaran. Your certificate will show what type of boat you used.

Aim
By the end of this course you will be sailing on your own in light wind conditions without assistance from your instructor.
Pre-requisites
You will be expected to be able to demonstrate the skills and knowledge included in the Start Sailing course.
Duration
4 - 10 days

Assessment
Assessment is continuous throughout the course. However, your instructor may also choose to use a formal practical assessment of boat handling skills and a short written paper or oral interview in assessing your level of background knowledge.

Type of Boats
This course may be completed in any type of sailing dinghy, small keel boat or catamaran.  Your certificate will show what type of boat you used.  When this course is completed in single handed boats the sections relating to crew or those marked with an asterisk may be omitted.

Aim
To develop the skills and knowledge you need in order to set up and sail the boat more effectively and in moderate conditions. This course will also prepare you for the specialist courses ahead.

Pre-requisites
You will be expected to have completed, or have experience equivalent to, the Basic Skills course and have been sailing regularly.  If you have not been regularly practising these skills you will need to do so prior to this course or extend the length of this course to allow time to do so.

Duration
4 - 10 days.

Assessment
Assessment is continuous throughout the course. However, your instructor may also choose to use a formal practical assessment of boat handling skills and a short written paper or oral interview in assessing your level of background knowledge.

Types of Boats
This course may be completed in any type of sailing dinghy, small keel boat or catamaran.  Your certificate will show what type of boat(s) you used.

Aim
To develop advanced boat handling and tuning skills and prepare you to sail flat out in strong winds.

Pre-requisites
You must have completed the Improving Skills course and been sailing regularly.  If you have not been regularly practicing these skills you will need to do so prior to the course or extend the length of this course in order to allow time to do so.

Duration
4 - 10 days.

Assessment
Assessment is continuous throughout the course. However, your instructor may also choose to use a formal practical assessment of boat handling skills and a short written paper or oral interview in assessing your level of background knowledge.

Type of Boats
This course may be completed in any type of sailing dinghy, small keel boat or catamaran. However, you must have completed Improving Skills, or have proved equivalent experience, in a similar type of boat.

Aim
To introduce you to sail boat racing and develop your skills and knowledge to a level where you can comfortably race at club and inter club level in Ireland.

Pre-requisites
You will be expected to have completed, or have experience equivalent to Improving Skills.

Duration
4 - 10 days.

Assessment
Assessment is continuous throughout the course. However, your instructor may also choose to use a formal practical assessment of boat handling skills and a short written paper or oral interview in assessing your level of background knowledge.

Type of Boats
This course may be completed in any type of sailing dinghy, small keel boat or catamaran raced at club level in Ireland.  Your certificate will show what type of boat(s) you used.

Aim
To introduce you to regional & national competition in Ireland and develop the skills and knowledge required to campaign at this level.
Pre-requisites
You will be expected to have completed, or have experience equivalent to Racing 1 and at least one other course at that level and have been sailing and racing regularly.
Duration
4 - 10 days.
Assessment
Assessment is continuous throughout the course. However, your instructor may also choose to use a formal practical assessment of boat handling skills and a short written paper or oral interview in assessing your level of background knowledge.
Types of Boats
This course may be completed in any type of sailing dinghy, small keel boat or catamaran with a regional or national circuit in Ireland.  Your certificate will show what type of boat you used.

Aim
To introduce you to the skills and knowledge you will need in order to undertake longer trips and to sail in stronger winds.

Pre-requisites
You will be expected to have completed, or have experience equivalent to the Improving Skills Course and have been sailing regularly.

Duration
4 - 10 days.

Assessment
Assessment is continuous throughout the course. However, your instructor may also choose to use a formal practical assessment of boat handling skills and a short written paper or oral interview in assessing your level of background knowledge.

Types of Boats
This course may be completed in sailing dinghies, small keel boats or catamarans suitable for use on day trips.  This course cannot be completed in single handed sailing boats. Your certificate will show what type of boat(s) you used.

Aim
To develop the skills and knowledge you will need to become an independent sailor capable of undertaking extended trips and of making correct and appropriate decisions in adverse circumstances.

Pre-requisites
You will be expected to have completed or have experience equivalent to those covered in Adventure 1 and one other course at that level.

Duration
4 - 10 days.

Assessment
Assessment is continuous throughout the course. However, your instructor may also choose to use a formal practical assessment of boat handling skills and a short written paper or oral interview in assessing your level of background knowledge.

Types of Boats
This course may be completed in sailing dinghies, small keel boats or catamarans suitable for use on day trips.  This course cannot be completed in single handed sailing boats. Your certificate will show what type of boat you used.

Aim
To introduce you to the thrills and spills of sailing with spinnakers and trapezes.

Pre-requisites
You will be expected to have completed or have experience equivalent to the Improving Skills course.

Duration
4 - 10 days.

Assessment
Assessment is continuous throughout the course. However, your instructor may also choose to use a formal practical assessment of boat handling skills and a short written paper or oral interview in assessing your level of background knowledge.

Types of Boats
For this course you will be using sailing dinghies or catamarans equipped with spinnakers and trapezes. Keelboat sailors only use spinnakers.  Except for Keelboat courses, boats used for spinnaker or trapeze may be different types.

Aim
To introduce you to the thrills and spills of sailing with spinnakers and trapezes.

Pre-requisites
You will be expected to have completed or have experience equivalent to the Kites & Wires 1 course and one other course at that level.

Duration
4 - 10 days.

Assessment
Assessment is continuous throughout the course. However, your instructor may also choose to use a formal practical assessment of boat handling skills and a short written paper or oral interview in assessing your level of background knowledge.

Types of Boats
For this course you will be using sailing dinghies or catamarans equipped with both spinnakers and trapezes. Keelboat sailors only use spinnakers.

Aim
The aim of the ISA Competent Crew course is to provide an introduction to the world of sail cruising in a positive and structured manner. The course is as much about getting to grips with living aboard a cruising boat as it is about learning to sail. By the end of the course the sailors should be able to take their place as a competent, safe member of crew aboard a sailing yacht.
Pre-requisites
No previous experience or knowledge of sailing is required or assumed.
Minimum Course Duration
5 days tuition. These days do not have to be consecutive but each of the days tuition must be a full day (8 hours). Participants may return ashore at the end of each day.
Types of Boat
The course must be completed aboard a sailing yacht.
Assessment
Assessment is continuous through the course. Competent Crew certificates may only be awarded following successful course completion. Certificates cannot therefore be issued solely on the basis of assessments completed without course attendance.

Aim
The aim of the ISA Day Skipper (Sail) course is to provide participants with the basic skills and knowledge necessary to skipper a sailing yacht by day in waters with which you are familiar.
Pre-requisites
For the Day Skipper (Sail) it will be assumed that you will have mastered the skills and knowledge covered in the Competent Crew course.
Minimum Course Duration
5 days during which you will be living on board the training boat.
Types of Boat
The course must be completed aboard a sailing yacht.
Assessment
Assessment is continuous through the course. However Instructors may at their discretion require the use of a formal practical assessment of boat handling skills and or a short written paper or oral interview in assessing your level of background knowledge.
Day Skipper certificates may only be awarded following successful course completion. Certificates cannot therefore be issued solely on the basis of assessments completed without course attendence.

Aim
The aim of the ISA Yachtmaster Coastal (Sail) course is to provide participants with the basic skills and knowledge necessary to skipper a sailing yacht by night and day in waters with which they are not familiar.
Pre-requisites
For the Day Skipper (Sail) it will be assumed that you will have mastered the skills and knowledge covered in The ISA Day Skipper (Sail) course.
Minimum Course Duration
5 days during which you will be living on board the training boat.
Types of Boat
The course must be completed aboard a sailing yacht.
Assessment
Assessment is continuous through the course. However Instructors may at their discretion require the use of a formal practical assessment of boat handling skills and or a short written paper or oral interview in assessing your level of background knowledge.
The ISA Yachtmaster Coastal (Sail) Sea-based Course Attendance Certificate may only be awarded following successful course completion. Certificates cannot therefore be issued solely on the basis of assessments completed without course attendance.

Aim
The ISA Yachtmaster Coastal Shorebased course develops a recreational sailor's ability to skipper a sailing or motor yacht on coastal passages during daylight and at night.
Minimum Course Duration
45 hours contact time
Support Materials required
Instructor
ISA Yachtmaster Coastal Instructor pack
Or
Course Providers own instructors pack that has been approved by the ISA.
Student
ISA Yachtmaster Coastal student pack
Or
Course Provider's own pack and assessment papers that have been approved by ISA.
Certification
Students may receive certification when;
They have attended at least 80% of the course.
They have completed all of the assessment papers to a standard acceptable to the instructor.
They have demonstrated an understanding of the principals taught during the course.
Shorebased course certificates are course attendence certificates and can only be awarded following successful course completion. Shorebased course completion certificates cannot therefore be issued solely on the basis of assessments completed without course attendence.
General
The Yachtmaster Coastal Shorebased course Certificates are not pre requisites for the Yachtmaster Coastal or Yachtmaster Offshore certificate examinations; candidates for either of these exams are, however, strongly recommended to undertake the relevent shorebased course or courses.

Aim
The ISA Yachtmaster Offshore Shorebased course develops the recreational sailor's ability to skipper a sailing or motor yacht on coastal and offshore passages during daylight and at night.
Minimum Course Duration
45 hours contact time
Support Materials required
Instructor
ISA Yachtmaster Offshore Instructor pack
Student
ISA Yachtmaster Offshore student pack
Certification
Students may receive certification when;
They have attended at least 80% of the course.
They have completed all of the assessment papers to a standard acceptable to the instructor.
They must have achieved at least 80% in the assessment on the Collision Regulations. (Note that this is the only paper with a defined numerical percentage pass mark.)
They have demonstrated an understanding of the principals taught during the course.
Shorebased course certificates are course attendence certificates and can only be awarded following successful course completion. Shorebased course completion certificates cannot therefore be issued solely on the basis of assessments completed without course attendence.
General
The Yachtmaster Offshore Shorebased course Certificates are not pre requisites for the Yachtmaster Coastal or Yachtmaster Offshore certificate examinations; candidates for either of these exams are, however, strongly recommended to undertake the relevant shorebased course or courses.

Aim
The ISA Yachtmaster Ocean Shorebased Course develops the recreational sailor's ability to skipper a sail or motor yacht on ocean passages without the use of electronic aids, where the yacht will be out of sight of land for extended periods.
Minimum Course Duration
Minimum 45 hours contact time
Support Materials required
Instructor
ISA Yachtmaster Ocean Instructor pack
Or
Course Providers own instructors pack that has been approved by the ISA.
Student
ISA Yachtmaster Ocean student pack
Or
Course Providers own pack, assessment papers and final invigilated exam paper that have been approved by the ISA.
Certification
Students may receive certification when:
They have attended at least 80% of the course.
They have completed all of the assessment papers to a standard acceptable to the instructor.
They have completed a final strictly invigilated assessment paper supplied, or approved by the ISA. This paper will include questions on sight planning, reduction and plotting, ocean passage planning and weather.
Shorebased course certificates are course attendence certificates and can only be awarded following successful course completion. Shorebased course completion certificates cannot therefore be issued solely on the basis of assessments completed without course attendance.
General
While holding the ISA Yachtmaster Ocean Shorebased course attendance certificate is not a pre-requisites for the Yachtmaster Ocean certificate examinations; candidates who hold the certificate are exempted from the invigilated shorebased exam otherwise required.

The Coastal Skipper Certificate certifies a recreational sailor's ability to skipper a sailing yacht under sail and auxiliary motor on coastal passages during daylight and at night.
The assessment is a practical assessment run at sea in a cruising boat.
Prerequisite requirements:
The following logged in a sailing yacht within 10 years of the exam.
- 800 miles in tidal waters
- 25 days at sea, 3 days as skipper
- 12 night hours.
Where a candidate holds a course completion certificate from a shorebased course in either the ISA Coastal Skipper or Yachtmaster Offshore then the logged requirements are as follows:
- 600 miles
- 20 days at sea, 3 days as skipper
- 12 night hours.
Mileage completed during ISA certified Coastal Skipper sea based courses may be included in the logged requirements
Restricted Certificate of Competency in Radiotelephony (VHF only) or SRC Module 1
The candidate must be at least 16 years of age at the time of assessment.
Duration of assessment
One candidate: 6 - 10 hours.
More than one candidate: 4 - 8 hours per candidate.
Boat required
The boat used for assessments would normally be a sailing yacht with an auxiliary engine that is at least 7 meters in overall length and which is suitable for cruising. The yacht must be equipped to category B as defined in the ISA Yacht Safety Equipment list.

The ISA Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate certifies a recreational sailors ability to skipper a sailing yacht under sail and auxiliary motor on coastal and offshore passages during daylight and at night.
The certificate is endorsed for recreational use by the Department of Marine, Communications and Natural Resources.
The assessment is a practical assessment run at sea in a cruising boat.
Prerequisite requirements
The following logged in a sailing yacht within 10 years of the exam.
- 3000 miles.
- 50 days at sea, of which 6 days must have been as skipper.
- 30 night hours on watch.
- 6 varied passages greater than 60 miles in length, on 2 of which you must have been skipper.
Where a candidate holds a course completion certificate from an ISA Yachtmaster Offshore shorebased course, then the logged requirements are as follows:
- 2500 miles.
- 50 days at sea, of which 6 days must have been as skipper.
- 30 night hours on watch.
- 6 varied passages greater than 60 miles in length, on 2 of which you must have been skipper.
Mileage completed during ISA certified sea based courses may be included in the logged requirements
Restricted Certificate of Competency in Radiotelephony (VHF only) or SRC Module 1
Approved Sea Survival Course Completion Certificate.
Approved current First Aid Certificate
The candidate must be at least 18 years of age at the time of assessment.
Duration of assessment
One candidate: 8 - 12 hours.
More than one candidate: 5 - 9 hours per candidate.
Boat required
The boat used for assessments would normally be a sailing yacht with auxiliary engine that is at least 7 metres in overall length and which is suitable for cruising. The yacht must be equipped to category B as defined on ISA Yacht Safety Equipment list.

Aim
The ISA Yachtmaster Ocean Certificate certifies a recreational sailor's ability to skipper a sail or motor yacht on ocean passages without the use of electronic aids, where the yacht will be out of sight of land for extended periods.
The certificate is endorsed for recreational use by the Department of Marine, Communications and Natural Resources. The assessment is a shorebased assessment where the candidate submits details of their qualifying passage to the examiner. In addition to this the examiner may require an interview with the candidate. Where a candidate does not hold a course completion certificate from an ISA Yachtmaster Ocean shorebased course, then they will be required to sit an invigilated shorebased exam.
Prerequisite requirements
ISA Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate.
The following logged by the candidate in a sail or motor yacht
An offshore passage:
- That was not less that 600 miles non-stop by the most direct navigational route.
- Where the yacht remained more that 75 miles offshore for at least 200 miles.
- Where the yacht was at sea for at least 96 hours.
- Where the candidate shows they were fully involved in the planning and execution of the passage including the required celestial navigation techniques.
ISA Yachtmaster Ocean shorebased course completion certificate. Where a candidate does not hold a course completion certificate from an ISA Yachtmaster Ocean shorebased course they will be required to sit an invigilated shorebased exam.
Boat required
None

Aim
The aim of the ISA Helmsman course is to provide participants with the basic boat handling and seamanship skills necessary to safely and effectively handle a motor yacht.
Previous experience / knowledge necessary
No previous experience or knowledge of sailing is required or assumed.
Minimum Course Duration
2 full days (16 hours)
Types of Boat
The course must be completed aboard a motor yacht. The yacht may be either displacement, semi displacement or planning and have either twin or single inboard engines.
Assessment
Assessment is continuous through the course. However Instructors may at their discretion require the use of a formal practical assessment of boat handling skills and or a short written paper or oral interview in assessing your level of background knowledge.
Helmsman certificates may only be awarded following successful course completion. Certificates cannot therefore be issued solely on the basis of assessments completed without course attendance.

Aim
The aim of the ISA Day Skipper (Motor) course is to provide participants with the basic skills and knowledge necessary to skipper a motor yacht by day in waters with which you are familiar.
Previous experience / knowledge necessary
For the Day Skipper (Motor) it will be assumed that you will have mastered the skills and knowledge covered in The ISA Helmsmans course.
Minimum Course Duration
5 days during which you will be living on board the training boat.
Types of Boat
The course must be completed aboard a motor yacht which may be either displacement, semi displacement or planning and have either twin or single inboard engines.
Assessment
Assessment is continuous through the course. However Instructors may at their discretion require the use of a formal practical assessment of boat handling skills and or a short written paper or oral interview in assessing your level of background knowledge.
Day Skipper certificates may only be awarded following successful course completion. Certificates cannot therefore be issued solely on the basis of assessments completed without course attendence.

Aim
The ISA Yachtmaster Coastal Shorebased course develops a recreational sailor's ability to skipper a sailing or motor yacht on coastal passages during daylight and at night.
Minimum Course Duration
45 hours contact time
Support Materials required
Instructor
ISA Yachtmaster Coastal Instructor pack
Or
Course Providers own instructors pack that has been approved by the ISA.
Student
ISA Yachtmaster Coastal student pack
Or
Course Provider's own pack and assessment papers that have been approved by ISA.
Certification
Students may receive certification when;
They have attended at least 80% of the course.
They have completed all of the assessment papers to a standard acceptable to the instructor.
They have demonstrated an understanding of the principals taught during the course.
Shorebased course certificates are course attendance certificates and can only be awarded following successful course completion. Shorebased course completion certificates cannot therefore be issued solely on the basis of assessments completed without course attendance.
General
The Yachtmaster Coastal Shorebased course Certificates are not pre requisites for the Yachtmaster Coastal or Yachtmaster Offshore certificate examinations; candidates for either of these exams are, however, strongly recommended to undertake the relevant shorebased course or courses.

Aim
The aim of the ISA Yachtmaster Coastal (Motor) course is to provide participants with the basic skills and knowledge necessary to skipper a motor yacht by night and day in waters with which they are not familiar.
Previous experience / knowledge necessary
For the Yachtmaster Coastal (Motor) it will be assumed that you will have mastered the skills and knowledge covered in The ISA The ISA Day Skipper (Sail) course.
Minimum Course Duration
5 days during which you will be living on board the training boat.
Types of Boat
The course must be completed aboard a motor yacht which may be either displacement, semi displacement or planning and have either twin or single inboard engines.
Assessment
Assessment is continuous through the course. However Instructors may at their discretion require the use of a formal practical assessment of boat handling skills and or a short written paper or oral interview in assessing your level of background knowledge.
The ISA Yachtmaster Coastal (Motor) Sea-based Course Attendance Certificate may only be awarded following successful course completion. Certificates cannot therefore be issued solely on the basis of assessments completed without course attendance.

Aim
The Coastal Skipper Certificate certifies a recreational sailor's ability to skipper a motor yacht on coastal passages during daylight and at night. The assessment is a practical assessment run at sea in a cruising boat.
Prerequisite requirements
The following logged in a cruising motor yacht within 10 years of the exam.
- 800 miles in tidal waters
- 25 days at sea, 3 days as skipper.
- 12 night hours.

Where a candidate holds a course completion certificate from a shorebased course in either the ISA Coastal Skipper or Yachtmaster Offshore then the logged requirements are as follows:
- 600 miles in tidal waters
- 20 days at sea, 3 days as skipper
- 12 night hours.
Mileage completed during ISA certified Coastal Skipper courses may be included in the logged requirements
Restricted Certificate of Competency in Radiotelephony (VHF only) or SRC Module 1
The candidate must be at least 16 years of age at the time of assessment.
Duration of assessment
One candidate: 6 - 10 hours.
More than one candidate: 4 - 8 hours per candidate.
Boat required
The boat used for assessments would normally be a motor yacht that is at least 7 meters in overall length and which is suitable for cruising. The yacht must be equipped to category B as defined in the ISA Yacht Safety Equipment list.

Aim
The ISA Yachtmaster Offshore Shorebased course develops the recreational sailor's ability to skipper a sailing or motor yacht on coastal and offshore passages during daylight and at night.
Minimum Course Duration
45 hours contact time
Support Materials required
Instructor
ISA Yachtmaster Offshore Instructor pack
Student
ISA Yachtmaster Offshore student pack
Certification
Students may receive certification when;
They have attended at least 80% of the course.
They have completed all of the assessment papers to a standard acceptable to the instructor.
They must have achieved at least 80% in the assessment on the Collision Regulations. (Note that this is the only paper with a defined numerical percentage pass mark.)
They have demonstrated an understanding of the principals taught during the course.
Shorebased course certificates are course attendance certificates and can only be awarded following successful course completion. Shorebased course completion certificates cannot therefore be issued solely on the basis of assessments completed without course attendance.
General
The Yachtmaster Offshore Shorebased course Certificates are not pre requisites for the Yachtmaster Coastal or Yachtmaster Offshore certificate examinations; candidates for either of these exams are, however, strongly recommended to undertake the relevant shorebased course or courses.

Aim
The ISA Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate certifies a recreational sailor's ability to skipper a motor yacht on coastal and offshore passages during daylight and at night.
The certificate is endorsed for recreational use by the Department of Marine, Communications and Natural Resources.
The assessment is a practical assessment run at sea in a cruising boat.
Prerequisite requirements
The following logged in a motor yacht within 10 years of the exam.
- 3000 miles.
- 50 days at sea, of which 6 days must have been as skipper.
- 30 night hours.
- 6 varied passages greater than 60 miles in length, on 2 of which you must have been skipper.

Where a candidate holds a course completion certificate from an ISA Yachtmaster Offshore shorebased course, then the logged requirements are as follows:
- 2500 miles.
- 50 days at sea, of which 6 days must have been as skipper.
- 30 night hours.
- 6 varied passages greater than 60 miles in length, on 2 of which you must have been skipper.

Mileage completed during ISA certified sea based courses may be included in the logged requirements
Restricted Certificate of Competency in Radiotelephony (VHF only) or SRC Module 1
Approved Sea Survival Course Completion Certificate.
Approved current First Aid Certificate.
The candidate must be at least 18 years of age at the time of assessment.
Duration of assessment
One candidate: 8 - 12 hours.
More than one candidate: 5 - 9 hours per candidate.
Boat required
The boat used for assessments would normally be a motor yacht that is at least 7 metres in overall length and which is suitable for cruising. The yacht must be equipped to category B as defined in the ISA Yacht Safety Equipment list.

 
Aim
The ISA Yachtmaster Ocean Shorebased Course develops the recreational sailor's ability to skipper a sail or motor yacht on ocean passages without the use of electronic aids, where the yacht will be out of sight of land for extended periods.
Minimum Course Duration
Minimum 45 hours contact time
Support Materials required
Instructor
ISA Yachtmaster Ocean Instructor pack
Or
Course Providers own instructors pack that has been approved by the ISA.
Student
ISA Yachtmaster Ocean student pack
Or
Course Providers own pack, assessment papers and final invigilated exam paper that have been approved by the ISA.
Certification
Students may receive certification when:
They have attended at least 80% of the course.
They have completed all of the assessment papers to a standard acceptable to the instructor.
They have completed a final strictly invigilated assessment paper supplied, or approved by the ISA. This paper will include questions on sight planning, reduction and plotting, ocean passage planning and weather.
Shorebased course certificates are course attendance certificates and can only be awarded following successful course completion. Shorebased course completion certificates cannot therefore be issued solely on the basis of assessments completed without course attendance.
General
While holding the ISA Yachtmaster Ocean Shorebased course attendance certificate is not a pre requisites for the Yachtmaster Ocean certificate examinations; candidates who hold the certificate are exempted from the invigilated shorebased exam otherwise required.

Aim
The ISA Yachtmaster Ocean Certificate certifies a recreational sailor's ability to skipper a sail or motor yacht on ocean passages without the use of electronic aids, where the yacht will be out of sight of land for extended periods.
The certificate is endorsed for recreational use by the Department of Marine, Communications and Natural Resources. The assessment is a shorebased assessment where the candidate submits details of their qualifying passage to the examiner. In addition to this the examiner may require an interview with the candidate. Where a candidate does not hold a course completion certificate from an ISA Yachtmaster Ocean shorebased course, then they will be required to sit an invigilated shorebased exam.
Prerequisite requirements
ISA Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate.
The following logged by the candidate in a sail or motor yacht
An offshore passage:
- That was not less that 600 miles non-stop by the most direct navigational route.
- Where the yacht remained more that 75 miles offshore for at least 200 miles.
- Where the yacht was at sea for at least 96 hours.
- Where the candidate shows they were fully involved in the planning and execution of the passage including the required celestial navigation techniques.
ISA Yachtmaster Ocean shorebased course completion certificate. Where a candidate does not hold a course completion certificate from an ISA Yachtmaster Ocean shorebased course they will be required to sit an invigilated shorebased exam.
Boat required
None

• Note:
  The ISA recommends that no one under the age of sixteen years should be left in charge of any powerboat without appropriate adult supervision.
  Under Irish law it is illegal for anyone under the age of sixteen to operate a powerboat that is capable of 17 knots or more.  ISA powerboat schools are therefore unable to offer training courses in planning boats to anyone under sixteen years old.  However if you are under sixteen you may do the Introduction to Powerboating or the National Powerboat Certificate in a displacement boat, where this is available.

Aim:
The aim of this course is to provide a short practical introduction to boat handling and safety on powerboats being used on all Irish waters.  It is ideally suited to those looking for anyone new to powerboating and those whose primary role will be as crew on a powerboat. By the end of the course participants will be able to safely and effectively crew a powerboat and take the helm while under supervision.
General
All the courses in the ISA Powerboat Training scheme can be taught in displacement as well as planing boats with the exception of the Advanced Certificate. The ISA Inland Waterways Scheme provides the most appropriate training for anyone wishing to use large displacement motorboats on Inland waters. The ISA Yachtmaster scheme provides for the needs of those wishing to cruise at sea & in larger Motorboats.

   
Aim:
The aim of this two day course is to develop the skills and knowledge that allow participants to safely and effectively skipper an open powerboat by day, on inland and coastal waters with which they are familiar.
The ISA recommends this Certificate as the minimum level of training/knowledge required before anyone uses a power boat on their own. In the majority of cases beginners would do this course and the Introduction to Powerboating as part of the same Two day course. The certificate can also be achieved through direct assessment by a Powerboat Instructor.
General
All the courses in the ISA Powerboat Training scheme can be taught in displacement as well as planning boats with the exception of the Advanced Certificate. The ISA Inland Waterways Scheme provides the most appropriate training for anyone wishing to use large displacement motorboats on Inland waters. The ISA Yachtmaster scheme provides for the needs of those wishing to cruise at sea & in larger Motorboats.

 
Aim
By the end of this course, the successful candidate will have a wide range of boat handling techniques and experience in the provision of safety cover for sailing events. Areas covered will include, towing, assistance with race management, mark laying and the provision of assistance for sailing dinghies (single handed & crewed), sail boards and canoes.
The ISA recommends this certificate as the minimum level of training/knowledge required by the coxswains of boats providing safety cover at Clubs, Regattas, Coaching or courses of Instruction.
General
All the courses in the ISA Powerboat Training scheme can be taught in displacement as well as planing boats with the exception of the Advanced Certificate. The ISA Inland Waterways Scheme provides the most appropriate training for anyone wishing to use large displacement motorboats on Inland waters. The ISA Yachtmaster scheme provides for the needs of those wishing to cruise at sea & in larger Motorboats.

Aim:
By the end of this course, the successful participant will have a sound introduction to using fast open boats at sea. An essentially practical course equipping experienced boat users with the tools necessary to take fast open boats like RIBs on coastal passages, this course covers skills ranging from advanced boat handling through to pilotage by day and night.
It will be assumed that every student starting this course has already mastered the skills and absorbed the background knowledge required for the ISA Day skipper (shore based course).
General
All the courses in the ISA Powerboat Training scheme can be taught in displacement as well as planing boats with the exception of the Advanced Certificate. The ISA Inland Waterways Scheme provides the most appropriate training for anyone wishing to use large displacement motorboats on Inland waters. The ISA Yachtmaster scheme provides for the needs of those wishing to cruise at sea & in larger Motorboats.

Aim
This course introduces and develops the skills necessary to take charge of a powerboat that is deploying and recovering divers on inland and coastal dive sites, by day, on waters with which the coxswain is familiar.
It is not a diving course, as the divers the coxswains are transporting and deploying should be responsible for the planning and implementation of all in and underwater activities.
Previous experience / knowledge required
Participants must hold the ISA National Powerboat Certificate or an equivalent certificate.
It is strongly recommended that participants hold a first aid certificate and the Short Range (SRC) VHF radio operator’s certificate.

Aim
The aim of this course is to provide the recreational powerboater with the skills they need to plan and use their boat for general recreation use during daylight hours and in waters with which they are familiar. It includes the typical skills they will need to enjoy family daytrips, longer coastal passages and sports activities like water skiing.

 Previous experience / knowledge required
Participants must hold the ISA National Powerboat Certificate or an equivalent certificate.
It is strongly recommended that participants hold a first aid certificate and the Short Range (SRC) VHF radio operator’s certificate.

Aim:
The aim of this course is to provide participants with the skills and knowledge required to
safely navigate a boat by day and by night in coastal waters with which you are familiar. It is intended as preparation for:
• ISA Advanced Sailing Certificate (sailing dinghies, keelboats or catamarans).
• ISA Advanced Powerboat Certificate (open powerboats).
Pre-requisites:
Participants should have completed either:
• ISA National Powerboat Certificate (open powerboats)
• ISA Improving Skills Certificate (sailing dinghies, keelboats or catamarans)
• ISA Competent Crew Certificate (sailing yachts)
• ISA Helmsman Certificate (motor yachts).
Duration:
The Coastal Navigation for Small Boats would normally consist of a minimum of 8 hours
contact time. However, the length of the course may be extended where it suits, or is
necessary, for participants to take a more relaxed approach to the programme.

The one day Personal Watercraft Course covers the topics set out here and is usually taught in the order shown, however, the order may be changed due to local conditions or the weather on the day.
Instruction ashore
Introduction: PW layout & controls, Personal equipment, Pre-launch checks, Safety Info.
Collision avoidance: Rules of the road, Look out, safe speed, overtaking, Local rules/ Bylaws.
Orientation at sea: Charts & basic interpretation, Basic tides.
Weather, Safety, Courtesy to other water users: Weather forecasts, lee shores, Safety & emergency equipment, Courtesy to other equipment, Avoiding pollution.
Instruction Afloat
Launching and familiarisation: Launching from a trailer, Controlling at low speed, Falling off & re-boarding, Control at speed.
Orientation: route planning.
Collision Avoidance: Recognising potential collision situations, taking correct avoiding action.
Control at speed: Slalom exercises.
Emergencies: Towing
The certificate can also be achieved through direct assessment by a PWC Instructor at an ISA Recognised Teaching Establishment.
General
The courses in the ISA PWC Training scheme are not appropriate for anyone who will be using open powerboats such as Rigid Inflatable boats or Ski boats. People intending to use these types of boats should use the ISA Powerboat training scheme. The ISA Inland Waterways Scheme provides the most appropriate training for anyone wishing to use large displacement motorboats on Inland waters. The ISA Yachtmaster scheme provides for the needs of those wishing to cruise at sea & in larger Motorboats.

  
Aim:
The aim of this course is to provide a short practical introduction to boat handling and safety on motorboats being used on inland waterways. 
It is recommended that participants consolidate this course with The Inland Waterways Motorboat Skippers Certificate before they take charge of a boat without qualified supervision.

Previous experience / knowledge required
No previous knowledge of motor boating is required or assumed

Duration:
The Inland Waterways Motorboat Crews Certificate should ordinarily consist of a minimum of 1 full day (8 hours) contact time.  However the length of the course may be extended where it suits participants to take a more relaxed approach to the programme.

Types of Boats
The course will be conducted in a single engine displacement motor cruiser. 

Assessment
Assessment is continuous thought the course, however instructors may at their discretion require the use of a formal practical assessment of boat handling skills and / or a short written paper or oral interview in assessing your level of background knowledge.

   
Aim:
To develop those fundamental skills and knowledge necessary to safely, and effectively, skipper a motor cruiser on Irelands inland waterways.

Previous experience / knowledge required
No previous knowledge of motorboating is required or assumed. However participants should be aware that where they have no previous boating experience they may require additional time over and above the ISA’s prescribed minimum of 2 days (16 hours) in order to complete all aspects of this course.

All elements within the syllabus for The Inland Waterways Motorboat Crews Certificate are included again in this syllabus.  Where the participant has successfully completed the introductory course, those elements that are repeated, may be omitted.

Duration:
This course should ordinarily consist of a minimum of 2 full days (16 hours) contact time.  However the length of the course may be extended where it suits participants to take a more relaxed approach to the programme, or where participants have no previous boating experience.  Where the participant already holds The Inland Waterways Motorboat Crews Certificate the duration of the course may be reduced to 1 day (8 hours).

Types of Boats
The course is usually conducted in one of the single engine, displacement motor cruisers typically found on Ireland’s inland waterways.  However there are a number of additional modules that allow participants to tailor the course to ensure it prepares them to skipper other boat types. These include high-speed planing or semi displacement boats, those with twin engines and heavy displacement boats. The certificate issued will be endorsed to show the type(s) of boat in which the training took place.

Assessment
Assessment is continuous throughout the course, however instructors may at their discretion require the use of a formal practical assessment of boat handling skills and / or a short written paper or oral interview in assessing your level of background knowledge.
Experienced skippers may achieve certification through direct assessment of the skills and knowledge set out in this syllabus.  Details of the “Direct Assessment” are include on page 12.
Holders of this certificate who wish to skipper pleasure craft outside Ireland may apply to the Irish Sailing Association for an International Certificate for Operators of Pleasure Craft.
Holders of the certificate are entitled to use the Inland Waterways Skippers Pennant.  This is available from course providers and the Inland Waterways Association.