Education, both in-person and online, to prepare you for offshore sailing
Why take a US Sailing Safety at Sea Course
- Ever wonder what you would do if someone fell overboard from your boat?
- Do you have a plan to deal with heavy weather if you can’t reach a safe harbor?
- Are you interested in selecting the right emergency communications equipment or storm sails, but you’re not sure what to buy?
A US Sailing Sanctioned Safety at Sea Course will help you answer these questions and more!
COURSE OFFERINGS
Safety at Sea Course facts:
- The certificates are valid for five years from the date of issue.
- Moderated and taught by experienced, lifelong sailors who include some of the top names in sailing and safety.
- Online courses developed with the support of Cruising Club of America, New York Yacht Club, The Sailing Foundation, and Storm Trysail Foundation.
- Appropriate for a wide range of boats and experience levels — small, big, monohulls, multihulls (and powerboats, too) — that are sailed and operated anywhere — nearshore and offshore.
- Sanctioned with the approved curriculum by US Sailing, with special attention to conditions and challenges of the host organization’s sailing area.
- More than 2,500 sailors attend safety courses around North America every year and many bring their families and crews.
- Coastal and Offshore courses are offered in either in-person or online formats.
- Safety at Sea: Offshore (Units 1-15). This online course is the MOST RECOMMENDED course to take. It is hosted on US Sailing's online learning portal www.firsttack.org
COASTAL COURSES
Coastal Safety at Sea
This course is for Inland and Coastal Racers and Cruisers. It is designed to provide you with essential safety information that you can use immediately on the water. It is appropriate for anyone who sails, boats, cruises or races on both inland and coastal waters.
The Coastal Course course, either online or in-person, THIS DOES NOT FULFILL the requirements to obtain an International Offshore Safety at Sea certificate.
Safety at Sea: Coastal (In-person)
Units
The Coastal In-person covers: Giving Assistance, Personal Safety Gear, Crew Overboard Rescue, Emergency Communication, Search and Rescue. This course satisfies the requirements for Coastal Races being sailed under the United States Special Equipment Regulations 4.3.2.
Duration - 4 hours
Approximate cost - $50.00 - $60.00/pp
Safety at Sea: Coastal (Online Course) Units 1-5
Units
Coastal Online covers: Giving Assistance, Personal Safety Gear, Crew Overboard Rescue, Emergency Communication, Search and Rescue. This course satisfies the requirements for Coastal Races being sailed under the United States Special Equipment Regulations 4.3.2.
Duration - Approximately 4 - 5 hours. You may log in and out to complete the course at your convenience.
Cost of the Course
US Sailing Members, $45.00 (discount code found in your "My US Sailing" account under Member Coupons and Benefits. You need to apply the code at the time of purchase). Non-members, $50.00. If you note your US Sailing member number when registering for the course, the course completion will be written back to your membership record.
OFFSHORE COURSES
Offshore Safety at Sea
This Course is for
Crew members of offshore races, long-distance cruisers, and any sailor wanting to improve his/her sailing skills. This course is also the first step for crew members of long-distance and international offshore races, long-distance cruisers, or persons requiring the International Offshore certificate that complies with World Sailing guidelines for Personal Safety (World Sailing Offshore Special Regulations Appendix G compliant). If you are attending a hands-on-only course, this is the course you need to take. If you are unsure which online course you need to take, contact adult@ussailing.org.
Safety at Sea: Offshore (In-person)
Typically the in-person course covers 8-10 units listed in Appendix G of the OSRs, from Giving Assistance, Personal Safety Gear, Care and Maintenance of Safety Gear, Fire Safety, Crew Overboard, Cold Exposure, Crew Health, Marine Weather, Heavy Weather, Storm Sails, and Reefing, Damage Control, Search and Rescue, Signals, Emergency Communications, and Life Rafts.
Duration - 8 hours
Approximate cost - $125.00-$175.00/pp
Safety at Sea: Offshore (Online course) Units 1-15
Covers all 15 units from Giving Assistance, Personal Safety Gear, Care and Maintenance of Safety Gear, Fire Safety, Crew Overboard, Cold Exposure, Crew Health, Marine Weather, Heavy Weather, Storm Sails and Reefing, Damage Control, Search and Rescue, Signals, Emergency Communications, and Life Rafts. This is the most comprehensive training in preparation for the Hands-On course which is required for the International Offshore certificate (World Sailing Offshore Special Regulations Appendix G compliant).
Duration - Approximately 12-13 hours. You can log in and out at your convenience to complete the course.
Cost of the Course
US Sailing Members, $125.00 (discount code found in your "My US Sailing" account under Member Coupons and Benefits. You need to apply the code at the time of purchase). Non-members, $150.00. If you note your US Sailing member number when registering for the course, the course completion will be written back to your membership record.
Offshore Upgrade (chapters 11-15)
This does not upgrade an expiring Offshore Safety at Sea certificate. Nor is it an add-on to people who have taken online units 1-10. This is only for people who are refreshing their International Offshore Safety at Sea with hands-on training. (not an upgrade for the Online Coastal Course). If you are unsure if this is the course you need to take, reach out to adult@ussailing.org.
Cost of the Course
US Sailing Members, $45.00 (discount code found in your "My US Sailing" account under Member Coupons and Benefits).
Non-members, $50.00. If you note your US Sailing member number when registering for the course, the course completion will be written back to your membership record.
Obtaining an International Offshore Safety at Sea Certificate
If you have taken an Offshore course (either online or in-person), you are eligible to take a Hands-On course within 365 days to receive the International Offshore certificate. You are expected to have completed your Offshore in-person or your Offshore online course PRIOR to attending the Hands-On course.
Please note that must complete Online units 11-15 if you haven't already done so before attending the Hands-On course. This is required as of January 1, 2021.
Click here to view a chart of the different ways you can obtain an International Offshore Safety at Sea certificate.
International Offshore with Hands-on Training
International Offshore Safety at Sea with Hands-on Training (In-person)
This Course is for
Crew members of long-distance and international offshore races, long-distance cruisers, or persons requiring the International Offshore certificate that complies with World Sailing guidelines for Personal Safety (World Sailing Offshore Special Regulations Appendix G compliant).
Topics
Typically covers 8-10 units from Giving Assistance, Personal Safety Gear, Care and Maintenance of Safety Gear, Fire Safety, Crew Overboard, Cold Exposure, Crew Health, Marine Weather, Heavy Weather, Storm Sails and Reefing, Damage Control, Search and Rescue, Signals, Emergency Communications, and Life Rafts plus hands-on training that includes topics such as boarding a life raft (in a pool), working with inflatable life jackets, pyrotechnics, firefighting, etc. Some courses may include race-specific information.
Junior Safety at Sea
Storm Trysail Foundation (STF) created and conducted, inspired by safety programs for ocean racers, Junior Safety-at-Sea stresses fun, hands-on practice, communication, teamwork, and the anticipation of trouble before it happens. Click here to find out more.
Host a Safety at Sea Course
Here are a few tips on how to get started:
- Review the 2023-24 Safety at Sea Planning Guide.
- Form a small committee and consider what dates would work for your area and your facility.
Note: It is recommended that you dedicate three to six months of preparation to organize a course. - Review the Safety at Sea Course options listed in the Planning Guide and decide on what type of course(s) you wish to host.
- Set your date and secure a moderator.
- To get your course approved and on the calendar, please fill out our online 2023-24 Safety at Sea Host Agreement and you are on your way!
