February 5, 2021
NOTIFICATION: US Sailing Updates Safety at Sea Certificate Requirements
US Sailing has updated the Safety at Sea certificate requirements and expiration dates in response to the pandemic. Due to continued restrictions for hosting in-person courses in 2021, US Sailing specifically addresses those who possess a five-year Safety at Sea certificate which expires in 2020 or 2021, or those who seek a new certificate this year.
Race organizers frequently require one or more of the following certificates for sailors, as specified in their Notices of Race:
- International Offshore Safety at Sea Certificate
- The two-day course includes training on 15 topics and a “hands-on” day. The first day is online or in-person; the second day is always in person.
- Hands-on sessions will likely be limited in 2021. US Sailing has determined that sailors who earned an International Offshore Safety at Sea Certificate in 2015 and 2016, which normally would have already expired, will have their certificates extended through December 31, 2021.
- If you do not have a current International Offshore Safety at Sea Certificate, it is unlikely you will be able to earn one during the first part of 2021.
- Offshore Safety at Sea Certificate
- The one-day course includes training on 15 topics, either in-person or online.
- Although in-person training sessions will likely be limited in 2021, sailors can earn the Offshore Safety at Sea Certificate by taking the US Sailing Offshore online training at – https://shop.ussailing.org/offshore-online-sas-2-code-pack.htm.
- Taking the Offshore Safety at Sea online training has been a first-step for many sailors on their way to earning the International Offshore Safety at Sea certificate. US Sailing has determined that those who earned the Offshore certificate in 2020 or 2021 will qualify for International Offshore if they take the “hands-on” session in 2022.
- Please note the online course currently comes in two segments: Offshore Online Part One (Units 1-10) and Part Two (Units 11-15), and you must complete both to earn the Offshore Safety at Sea certificate. We do realize that this is cumbersome, and we apologize for any inconvenience. This is the current training option that meets the requirements. Click the link to earn a discount on the two individual segments – https://shop.ussailing.org/offshore-online-sas-2-code-pack.htm.
Coastal Safety at Sea Certificate
- The half-day includes training on five topics, either in-person or online.
- Although in-person training sessions will likely be limited in 2021, sailors can receive the Coastal certificate by taking the US Sailing online training at – https://www.boaterexam.com/sailing/coastal/.
Any Organizing Authority who would like help with messaging regarding these changes in the announcements of their races or in their Notice of Race, please contact us at SafetyatSea@USSailing.org.