Superyacht career dream closer

The students celebrated their graduation by demonstrating their acquired skills to friends, family and tutors aboard a 65 foot ketch at the super yacht berth near the Anchor Bar and Grill on Friday.

Their tutor, Stuart Whitehouse, who has captained large sailing yachts around the world, says the students have learned enough on their three-month course to get a foot on the ladder of the Superyacht industry.

The men and women who've gained their certificates are mostly from Nelson and Marlborough, but also one from Tauranga and another from the United States.

Whitehouse says unlike some other crewing courses, his students get practical experience at sea, including a five day sailing trip aboard the ketch where their graduation party was held.

They also spend many hours on NMIT's multi-million dollar vessel simulator.

Over 12 weeks, the students have learned about safety aboard and fire fighting, navigation, radar and radio operation and hospitality skills such as fine wine appreciation and the art of being a barista. They've been taught how to maintain an outboard motor, varnish timber and drive a power boat.

Graduates do get jobs, he says. "One of our students has just been on Facebook from Thailand where she works on a large sailing vessel. She's now off to the Seychelles".

Would you like to work on a sailing vessel and travel the world? Join NMIT's next intake of aspiring Superyacht crew.