IYT International Bareboat Skipper Assessment — AusSea

The IYT International Bareboat Skipper Assessment is a one-day practical and theory assessment, including a VHF marine communications exam. It completes AusSea Sailing School's bareboat pathway at Sans Souci in southern Sydney. Candidates who pass receive the International Yacht Training (IYT) International Bareboat Skipper certificate, the International Certificate of Competence (ICC) and a VHF Marine Radio Operator's licence.

What you'll learn

This is an assessment, not a course, so the focus is on showing skills you already have. Expect to be assessed on:

• Practical skippering. Leaving and returning to a berth or mooring, making sail changes, recovering a person overboard and handling the boat under power and under sail. The assessor is looking for good planning, clear instructions to the crew and safe decisions, as well as tidy boat handling.
• Theory. Navigation and passage planning, collision regulations, weather, safety equipment and emergency procedures. These are the knowledge areas a bareboat skipper relies on when chartering without a professional skipper on board.
• VHF marine communications. Radio procedure, routine calls and distress, urgency and safety calls.

The best preparation is plenty of recent time as skipper, not just as crew, and a thorough revision of the collision regulations and radio procedure.

How AusSea runs it

The assessment takes a single day and combines practical and theory assessments. AusSea students usually sit it after the two-day Level 7 International Bareboat Course. The school's product page does not give the boat or location for the assessment day, so confirm the details when booking.

Who it suits

There are two ways in. The first is to complete AusSea's Levels 1 to 7. The second is for experienced sailors, who can book the assessment on its own but must show proof of previous experience and sea time or miles. Anyone taking the second route should bring a logbook or other record of their sailing and check with the school beforehand that it is enough.

Where it leads

The school says the IBS, ICC and VHF licence together allow holders to charter yachts up to 80 feet worldwide. Charter companies still decide who they rent to and may ask for a sailing resume. From IBS, the next IYT steps are flotilla skippering and the IYT Yachtmaster Coastal.

Full course guide

The IYT International Bareboat Skipper (Sail) guide explains the full IYT standard being assessed. See also the ICC guide and the IYT Yachtmaster Coastal guide for the next step.