Training

Safety Training Workshops

The SFYC training courses are relevant to racers and cruisers. Classes are taught by Ashley Perrin, Merfyn Owen and other experienced Members of The San Francisco Yacht Club.

Questions? Email [email protected]

 

2026 Safety at Sea Course Information 

Online course registration:

US Sailing Sanctioned International Offshore Safety at Sea Course with Hands-on Training (2-day)  MAY 2-3, 2026 The price of this course includes a voucher for the prerequisite online training. Please do not pay for the online course separately. Once registered for this course, you will be provided with an online course code. As an advanced safety at sea course, two days on top of the online training are required. This allows us to spend more time doing hands-on training.

The SFYC Training Coordinator will contact you directly with a link to your specific module after registration is received.

US Sailing Sanctioned International Offshore Safety at Sea Refresher Course (1-day) May 2, 2026
  • Prerequisite:
    • Certificate for international safety at sea within the last seven years
    • [REGISTER HERE]
You can refresh an International Offshore Safety at Sea certificate if it is not older than seven years by taking online units 11-15 and attending a hands-on one-day course. Do not purchase the online course separately. A coupon for the online course will be provided once you have registered and paid for this refresher course.

The SFYC Training Coordinator will contact you directly with a link to your specific module after registration is received.

Current registrant lists:

Full Course
Refresher
 

In 2003, World Sailing introduced a standard basic syllabus for the training of safety courses in order to establish an internationally recognized qualification. The training requirements form part of the World Sailing Offshore Special Regulation. These courses are run and established by World Sailing Member National Authorities and conform to World Sailing minimum standards. 
 

Course topics include:
Emergency procedures
Life raft operation and in-the-water training
Flare use and training
Fire extinguisher training
Preventative maintenance checklists
Coast Guard communications

 

The following courses are also offered (as noted) at the SFYC, in conjunction with the Safety at Sea week.

CCA Safety for Cruising Couples - NOT CURRENTLY OFFERED

The Cruising Club of America’s Safety for Cruising Couples course will be presented by Ashley Perrin and Moe Roddy, members of both CCA and SFYC, on April 19-20 from 5:30–8:00pm. This course is free of charge with free drinks and snacks. Plus, your Cruise Committee will provide a free course book to the first 10 couples who register!


The course covers a range of essential safety practices, with emphasis on completing a safe voyage with a small crew or a less experienced first mate. Topics include Skipper and Crew Partnership, Position and Navigation, Communications in an Emergency and Dealing with Emergencies. Pre-course learning and documents will be sent out to registered persons a week before the course. For more, check out the CCA’s Course video
 

VHF Certification - NOT CURRENTLY OFFERED

 

The Short Range Certificate is the minimum qualification required by law to control the operation of VHF and VHF Digital Selective Calling (DSC) equipment fitted with a radio. This includes both fixed and hand held equipment using International channels outside US territorial waters.

A radio is an important piece of safety equipment on board and it is vital to understand the correct procedures. Unnecessary transmissions could block out a Mayday distress call. All new VHF sets are either fitted, or can be interfaced, with DSC allowing calls to specific vessels.

Course topics include:

  • Basics of radio operation
  • Correct frequencies (channels) to be used
  • Distress, emergency and medical assistance procedures
  • Making ship to shore telephone calls
  • Digital Selective Calling (DSC) using simulators
  • Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS)
  • Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRB)
  • Search and Rescue (SART)

The course will be taught using radio simulators.