Blueprint for Exculsive Yacht Management Training

Superyacht Management company Exclusive Yacht Management (EYM) are taking their onboard watersports very seriously and have enlisted professional training company Blueprint Watersports to help.

Personal Watercraft (Jetski’s, Waverunners etc) for example, are always popular with guests and being able to teach and control this potentially dangerous activity is of primary importance with regards to safety management. In addition, officials in Europe and other parts of the world are becoming increasingly demanding regarding the licensing of PWC users. The solution is for the yacht to become a Royal Yachting Association recognised training centre with qualified instructors, and issue the new RYA license for superyacht charter guests.

EYM manager, Lorri Bell says that “watersports play an important part in any successful charter and having properly trained crew can make all the difference”.

One challenge for Captains is finding the time to send crew away for training and inevitably things get pushed back and back. Cowes based Blueprint Watersports send their training team to the yacht, wherever it is, and train up to 12 people at a time in the real life environment and using the yachts own equipment. This makes the training relevant, consistent and also very cost effective.

As well as providing Instructor training, Blueprint will also assist yachts in the preparation of a PWC Operations Manual which includes risk assessments, emergency action plans and operating procedures, and where possible, link into existing onboard procedures, so that the yacht can comply with RYA recognition guidelines.

“MY Solemar was the first yacht in our fleet to benefit from Blueprint’s PWC training and they were so impressed with the company’s professional approach and training that we have decided to have all our yachts sign up to the service” continued Miss Bell.

Not only does such training provide a safe and quality service for charter guests, having a clear and simple operations manual and qualified team of staff brings welcome support and protection for captains.

Other watersports such as windsurfing, kitesurfing, dinghy sailing and waterski-ing are not subject to licensing requirements but can certainly benefit from having trained crew and operating guidelines. If guests chose to go windsurfing for example, not being able to progress quickly can cause frustration and dissatisfaction. A trained windsurfing instructor can take guests through the basics and help them to advance very quickly which can really put a smile on their faces.

While watersports accidents are rare, they are more likely to occur during dynamic activities such as wakeboarding or towed inflatable rides and correct training and procedures can only help with prevention and staff protection.

Blueprint Watersports Director Tim Hughes is pleased that management companies are taking such a responsible stance on training and back up for their fleet. “The attitude towards training among superyacht captains is very encouraging and will play a major part in ensuring the safety of guests and crew alike” said Hughes.