For crew stepping into their first senior role — Deckhand, Junior Stew, 2nd Engineer, Chef,Bosun — and anyone leading informally before promotion catches up. The course doesn’t exclude Captains and HoDs. IAMI GUEST Unit 17-accredited. Self-paced.
30-day guarantee. If within 30 days of starting the course you decide it is not for you, email us and we will refund what you paid, less a 20% administration fee. To qualify you need to have genuinely engaged with the course: at least 3 of the 8 assignments on Foundational Leadership.
*Terms and Conditions Apply
This isn’t just another leadership course, it’s the foundational training you need to set yourself apart in the yachting industry. Whether you’ve got two seasons in and want to prepare early, or you’re already leading and finding your feet, this course gives you real tools, not just theory, for how you lead onboard.
Accredited by GUEST and IAMI
Our Foundational Leadership Course gives superyacht crew the essential skills to lead well, and to change how their team works, together.
Through practical, industry-specific training, you’ll gain the confidence and competence to lead effectively in any situation onboard.
Leadership in yachting means more than managing a team. It means building an environment where your crew can stay steady under pressure, work well together, and do their best work, even on the hard days.
This course is designed for anyone who has struggled with:
Gain practical tools, real-life case studies, and hands-on exercises. Learn instantly applicable leadership techniques from Karine Rayson, Owner of The Crew Coach and an experienced yachting professional.
Leadership Styles – Adapt your approach to different situations and personalities.
Motivating Teams – Inspire performance and foster a positive culture.
Effective Communication – Improve briefings, assertiveness, and cross-cultural clarity.
Supporting Your Crew – Delegate, give feedback, and manage performance.
Goal Setting – Apply SMART goals to boost efficiency and results.
Managing Stress & Resources – Spot burnout and balance workload effectively.
Conflict Resolution – Handle disputes with confidence and professionalism.
Understanding the shift from crew member to leader
This module explores what changes when you move into a leadership role, expectations, responsibility, boundaries, and visibility. You’ll gain clarity on how to step into leadership with confidence while staying grounded and authentic.
Discover various ways to inspire and motivate both individuals and teams. Students will develop skills to create a positive, high-performing work environment that brings out the best in the crew.
Reducing misunderstandings and improving day-to-day performance. Learn how to communicate expectations, instructions, and feedback clearly and professionally, creating alignment, trust, and smoother working relationships onboard.
Team Building and Collaboration: Understand the dynamics of teamwork and how to foster collaboration and unity. This module teaches leaders how to lead by example and cultivate a culture of mutual respect and accountability.
Discover how to set clear, achievable goals that keep your crew motivated and focused. By mastering the SMART goal-setting framework, you’ll ensure objectives are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Timely; leading to a more efficient and high-performing team.
Conflict is inevitable in a high-pressure environment, but great leaders know how to handle it effectively. Gain the skills to identify the root causes of conflict, manage disputes constructively, and know when to escalate issues.
Long hours and demanding schedules can take a toll on your crew. Learn how to recognize signs of stress and fatigue while implementing resource management and time management strategies that keep operations running smoothly without burnout.
Establishing yourself as a leader people can rely on
The final module brings everything together, focusing on trust, consistency, and professional conduct; the foundations of long-term leadership credibility onboard.
Karine holds a Bachelor of Social Science in Psychology and Organisational Psychology, and postgraduate qualifications in counselling and business. She has spent 15+ years working with superyacht crew — first as one, then as a course designer whose earlier work built psycho-educational programs for Australian Corrections
Rank is not a leadership qualification. That's why this course exists.
Self-paced online modules with real-world scenarios & practical assessments.
Designed to be flexible—fit learning around your busy schedule.
Complete the course and you keep access to the materials for as long as we offer it, at no extra cost. If we ever retire the course we will give you at least 90 days notice so you can download everything.
Receive an IAMI-accredited certificate upon completion at NO extra cost!.
Limited spots available. Enrol now and start building the skills your crew already needs from you.
Industry Competitive only €997 !
Bonus Resources – Downloadable leadership templates, checklists & guides.
Direct Instructor Support – Get insights & answers from Karine Rayson, herself!
30-day guarantee: if within 30 days of starting the course you decide it’s not for you, email us and we’ll refund you in full.
This course is written specifically for the superyacht environment. Every concept is grounded in real onboard dynamics, long hours, hierarchy, pressure, cultural differences, close living quarters, and high expectations.
Nothing here is corporate fluff or land-based theory that doesn’t translate to life at sea.
Yes. Unit 17 is designed for emerging and developing leaders, not just those with stripes.
If you’re stepping into responsibility, leading others informally, or want to prepare before promotion, this course helps you build confidence, self-awareness, and leadership foundations early, rather than learning the hard way onboard.
That’s the core focus.
This course goes beyond checklists and procedures to help you understand:
How your behaviour impacts morale and performance
How to communicate clearly under pressure
How to earn respect without authority or ego
It’s about learning how to lead humans, not just operations.
Many courses focus on what leaders should do.
Unit 17 focuses on who you are as a leader and how you show up.
You’ll build:
Self-awareness (before learning tools)
Emotional intelligence
Consistent leadership behaviour your crew can trust
This is why the learning sticks and why graduates say it changes how they lead day-to-day onboard.
Yes. Unit 17 is IAMI-recognised, meaning it supports your professional development and demonstrates commitment to leadership standards within the industry.
More importantly, it gives you language and insight you can confidently speak to in interviews, appraisals, and promotions.Content
The course is designed to fit around demanding yacht schedules.
You can complete it at your own pace, revisit lessons when needed, and apply learning immediately onboard without being overwhelmed or pulled away from duties.
Very much so.
Many crew Google leadership courses because they care, but secretly worry they’re not “leader material.”
This course helps you understand your strengths, values, and leadership style so you can lead authentically not by copying others or pretending to be someone you’re not.
Both because on yachts, they’re inseparable.
Unit 17 integrates psychological safety, wellbeing, and emotional awareness into leadership behaviours, without turning it into therapy.
You’ll learn how good leadership protects mental health, yours and your crew’s.
Graduates leave with:
Greater confidence in how they lead
Stronger communication skills
Clearer boundaries and expectations
A leadership foundation that supports long-term career growth
Not just a certificate but capability.
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