Certification

US SAILING Certification
The tangible proof of your knowledge and skill is US SAILING certification. The national governing body of the sport of sailing, US SAILING is a non-profit, volunteer organization originally established in 1898. The Keelboat Certification Program was spearheaded by a number of the most respected sailing schools in the United States, including Offshore Sailing School. Steve Colgate was chairman of the US SAILING Training Committee, responsible for setting the standards of the certification development.

US SAILING certification is the most respected and valued certification available today, with standards far above any other certification system in the United States. Though certification is not a requirement for driving a sailboat in the U.S. or Caribbean, it is the strongest measure of your abilities and widely respected by sailboat rental and charter companies. Your certification and Logbook are your passport for renting boats near home or chartering in paradise.

Attention students with basic ASA Certification:
Take a free test to upgrade to US SAILING certification, a prerequisite for earning advanced US SAILING certification when taking your cruising course with Offshore Sailing School.

RYA Accreditation
The prestigious Royal Yachting Association (RYA) courses are knowledge-based courses that emphasize a person’s practical ability, experience and know-how on 44-51-foot sailing yachts. It is considered the gold standard in worldwide yachting certification. Offshore is recognized by the RYA to provide three practical levels of certification for recreational sailors:

Competent Crew covers basic seamanship and helmsmanship. This course is very similar to Offshore’s Learn to Sail course but taught on a larger yacht.

Day Skipper includes basic piloting, boat handling, seamanship and navigation. Suggested prerequisites include the Day Skipper course and a minimum of five days of sea time, 100 miles or more and at least four nights aboard under sail.

Coastal Skipper covers passage planning, piloting by day and night, boat handling, safety and emergency situations. Suggested prerequisites include the Day Skipper course or equivalent training and at least 15 days of sea time, two days as skipper with 300 miles and eight night hours under sail.