Log In
Sign Up
Professional Deckhand Training Course
This course of Skipper & Crew Academy of Yachting is designed for people with no prior boating experience who want to enter the yachting industry and secure their first job as a deckhand on a sailing yacht or catamaran.
Our goal is to introduce you to the world of yachting and to prepare you for the real role of a professional deckhand in Greece.
Academy of Yachting Athens
RYA training combined with real-world charter experience
Skipper & Crew Greece
Immediate and long term visibility within our professional network
Who is this training for
Individuals who:
- have no previous experience working on boats
- want to get their first job on a boat
- understand that this role is not just about boat handling
- want to meet real boating company expectations
- aim for long-term employability in the industry
What we prepare you for
- handle lines and anchoring safely
- understand basic sailing principles
- operate the boat’s tender confidently
- understand basic Greek & English nautical terminology
- follow skipper instructions clearly and professionally
- handle emergency situations calmly
- communicate properly with guests
- understand professional boundaries and onboard behavior
What you are getting
- training in small groups (4-5 students)
- liveaboard experience and travel onboard for a full week
- RYA Certificate, internationally recognized
- practical competence on sailing monohull or catamaran
- support in building your first professional CV
- priority access to jobs through Skipper & Crew network
Programme structure
Classroom
First Aid Training
A full-day practical course focused on real medical emergencies at sea, including CPR, shock, hypothermia, and onboard incident management
Sea training
RYA Powerboat level 2
A 2-day, entry-level, hands-on program designed for beginners or those seeking to improve boat handling skills, focusing on safely operating small powerboats (up to 10m).
It covers:
- close-quarters handling,
- high-speed maneuvering
- mooring
- anchoring
- man-overboard procedures.
This module is essential, as a professional deckhand must be able to operate the tender confidently.
Professional Deckhand Practical Training
A dedicated 6-day hands-on training module, covering:
- basic sailing operations
- safety procedures onboard
- line handling
- professional communication with the skipper
- anchor handling do’s & don’ts
You will train, live aboard, and travel with the rest of the group, gaining real experience that prepares you to step directly into your first deckhand role.
Skipper & Crew Academy of Yachting
Joining forces to raise professional standards
Skipper | Founder of Skipper & Crew Gr
Kostas is a professional skipper with extensive experience in the charter market in Greece and around the world.
Actively involved in day and weekly charters, crew placement, and professional skipper development, he has a deep understanding of the realities skippers face onboard and in the market.
As a community manager, he works daily with skippers, charter companies, and crews, focusing on employability, professional conduct, and long-term career sustainability in the yachting industry.
Costa Tzaneris
Skipper | RYA Yachtmaster Ocean Instructor
Costa is the Chief Instructor of Academy of Yachting Athens, an RYA-recognised sailing centre in Athens.
He is an experienced skipper, RYA instructor, and the founder of Salparo, a charter company operating in Greece and the Caribbean.
With years of experience in nautical training and charter operations, he brings strong instructional expertise combined with hands-on industry knowledge.
Book this course
upcoming courses: November 2026
limited spots available
€1480
Full programme fee per participant
- 1 week practical training with accommodation on board
- 1 day in our classroom in Alimos
- 2 days prowerboat training n Alimos
- RYA Powerboat certification fees
- Asisstance in starting your first job
- premium access to the Skipper & Crew professional network