FAQ

Those who want real experience, not just certificates. Beginners and those with experience who want to go deeper.

Those looking for quick "captain" titles without effort, or who don't want to face their limits.

Our materials are available in 10 languages. English is the main language; instructors speak several. Ask us in the contact form.

Basic swimming. No sailing experience needed for Yacht Crew.

Fear is normal; many of our students start nervous. We work on managing fear through knowledge and group support.

You can start with free VHF theory or a short video call.

You're in the right place. Let's start with a short call or message via contact.

Course tuition depends on the course, location and group size. Inshore Skipper is €1,000–2,000 per person per week; Offshore Skipper is about €1,500 per person; the VHF course is online. Travel, food and accommodation are not included, and ISSA charges a separate certificate-issue fee — see certificates. Contact us for current dates and exact pricing.

ISSA is the International Sailing Schools Association, an international body that accredits sailing schools and issues recognised certificates such as VHF/SRC, Yacht Crew, and Inshore or Offshore Skipper. FairHelm is an ISSA-accredited school, so your training leads to ISSA-recognised qualifications.

Inshore Skipper (Level 1) is your first command course: coastal navigation, manoeuvres in confined space, anchoring and decisions under pressure (7 or 14 days, requires Yacht Crew). Offshore Skipper is an expedition format built around real night passages, watchkeeping, fatigue and offshore autonomy (7 days, requires Inshore Skipper). In short: Inshore = lead on the coast; Offshore = lead overnight, on passage.

Food, transfer and tickets are not included. Students can live on boats or rent hotels by themselves in some cases. Personal medicine and personal insurance are not covered — we recommend sport insurance during the training, even for recreational sailing.

Contact us as soon as possible. We'll do our best to find a solution — reschedule or refund depending on timing and circumstances.

We provide ISSA certificates. VHF online is available. See certification and ISSA fees for details.

We don't issue a certificate after 5 days without experience — we don't consider that honest. Instead we offer staged courses, matched groups, a real skills portfolio, and references from our instructors.

We have ISSA accreditation. First we ask: why do you need it? Then we suggest a path that fits — see courses and certificates.

You get your certificate, references from instructors, and access to alumni. Many participants stay in touch and join later courses or events.

Yes. We run instructor training for those who complete the path and want to teach. Ask us after Inshore or Offshore Skipper.