• Letter of recommendation for YOA’s online deckhand course

    Dear fellow deckhands,

    It is my pleasure to strongly recommend YOA’s online deckhand course to anyone that is looking to start a career in the yachting industry.

    My name is Amber Hasenjager and I have just completed the online deckhand course with YOA, which is presented by Mr Don Mckee and I was extremely impressed by how well it was put together and explained.

    I was intentionally interested in doing the course in a classroom, but I wanted to get my qualification as soon as possible, so the agency that I am working through mentioned that I can do the course online much sooner than in person. At first, I was sceptical due to the amount of practical work that goes into being a deckhand and I didn’t think it was possible to learn these practical skills through online videos, but I was wrong.

    The course started out with a great introduction to what it is like being a yachtie and what steps to take to get into the industry. Don also goes over other important aspects such as CVs, VISAS, accommodation, discharge books and much more.

    The course then processes demonstrates the practical aspects such as varnishing, painting, fairing and even splicing. These techniques are demonstrated through videos where Don explains and shows each process in depth, he provides the listener with helpful tips and tricks to make sure you will do a perfect job. As someone that has not done much of these things in the past and was worried about not being able to get it right, Don has eased my worries and I feel confident in taking on these jobs with the help and advice I have received.

    Don has also put me in contact with a boat that is open to deckhands doing someday work which will allow me to apply my knowledge practically and gain some experience.

    My advice is to listen carefully and to make as many notes as possible, there is a lot of interesting and helpful information that will be useful throughout your career

    I hope you will consider YOA’s online deckhand course, I can guarantee you that you will not be disappointed.

    Sincerely,

    Amber Hasenjager


    • We recently sat down with one of our former students Edward Best, now a Chief Officer on superyachts to discuss some of the things he wished he knew before he started.


      Hopefully, this will stand you in good stead when embarking on your career

      Watch the video ...