What is the IYT International Bareboat?

Become a confident and competent skipper of vessels up to 24 meters in length with our five-day International Bareboat Skipper Course. This course is specifically designed for experienced boaters who want to take command of powerboats in fair weather conditions and within sight of land. Whether you're looking to rent a boat in popular cruising destinations like the Mediterranean or the West Indies, or simply enhance your powerboat skills, this course will equip you with the necessary knowledge and certification.

Course Highlights:

• Duration: 5 days

• Prerequisites: Candidates must be 16 years of age or older and fulfill the following requirements:

  • Proof of logging 200 nautical miles and 10 days at sea by the end of the course

  • Completion of IYT's International Crew physical course with an IYT Partner School (possessing an IYT International Crew Certificate or a gold seal affixed to the IYT Boating & Sailing Passport) or equivalent qualification from another training organization

  • Possession of an IYT VHF Radio Operators Certificate or equivalent from another recognized training organization (ISSA VHF qualifications not accepted)

• Comprehensive Modules: The International Bareboat Skipper Course covers Modules 13 to 25 in the IYT International Boating & Sailing Passport, providing you with a well-rounded understanding of skippering responsibilities and essential skills.

Course Syllabus:

During the International Bareboat Skipper Course, you will cover the following topics:

• Responsibilities of a bareboat skipper

• Crew safety checks

• Hull and rig checks

• Machinery and systems checks

• Fuel and water capacity and range

• Menus and quantities

• Float plan

• Sources of meteorological information

• Weather patterns

• Sea and land breezes

• Cloud types and formations

• Pilotage and passage planning

• Considerations when planning a passage

• Routine for navigating a coastal passage

• Passage strategy

• Port regulations, customs, and immigration procedures

• Pilotage plans

• Vessel handling in confined quarters

• Mooring, anchoring, and coming alongside

• Ropes, knots, care, and use of lines

• General deck work

• Tides and currents theory

• Tidal heights, springs, and neaps

• Rule of "twelfths"

• Position fixing and running fixes

• Plotting the effect of tides and currents

• Collision regulations

• Lights, shapes, and sounds

• Application of the regulations

• Advanced dinghy handling

Certificate and Limitations: 

Upon successful completion of the International Bareboat Skipper Course, you will receive a Certificate of Competency allowing you to command vessels up to 24 meters in length. This certification is recognized by most charter agencies. However, please note the limitations of this certificate:

• Command of a vessel up to a maximum length of 78 ft/24 meters

• Navigation limited to coastal waters within 20 miles offshore

• Suitable for fair conditions with moderate wind and sea conditions

• Most charter agencies require daylight hours for chartering.

Power or Sail Endorsements:

 If you undertake this course on a sailboat and later wish to obtain the International Bareboat Skipper Power, you can attend any IYT Partner school approved to offer the International Bareboat Skipper Power course and undergo power training (Module 14 in the Passport Training Programme). Similarly, if you undertake this course on a power vessel and later desire the International Bareboat Skipper Sail qualification, you can attend any IYT Partner school approved to offer the International Bareboat Skipper Sail course and undergo sail training (Module 15 in the Passport Training Programme). The duration of these additional training modules will depend on your experience as a skipper in the respective vessel type.

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Expand Your Opportunities: By obtaining the International Bareboat Skipper qualification, you are eligible to automatically obtain the "International Certificate of Competency" (ICC) if you meet the requirements set by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (Resolution 40). This certification further enhances your sailing credentials and opens doors to various international boating opportunities.

Don't miss out on this opportunity to become a skilled and certified International Bareboat Skipper. Enroll now and take the first step toward a thrilling and rewarding powerboat journey.