SSS Refresher (Update) course

For sailors whose certificates have expired*, regardless of when, a refresher (or update) course of 8 hours tuition time may be attended.  The refresher, or update, course is designed for active offshore racing sailors and anyone who does not sail regularly should seriously consider attending a full 2 day Safety & Sea Survival course.  An update course also provides a valuable refresher to cruising sailors.

Please note, it is no longer a requirement to complete a self-declaration of at least 2500 offshore nautical miles achieved in the previous 5 years

*SSS Certificates have a validity of 5 years. Read more information on certificate extension due to COVID-19 HERE. 

Content of the SSS Refresher, or Update course

This course focus is on lessons learned from recent incidents, updates on equipment & regulations, safety information, and practical skills in the use of liferafts and lifejackets.  The course requires a minimum of 8 hours tuition time, excluding breaks and travel, and meets the requirements of the World Sailing (ISAF) Special Regulations, Appendix G, Part D - Guidelines for an Offshore Personal Survival Refresher Course.

The following content is to be included in the course:

• Recent changes to the Offshore Special Regulations including Amendments
• New technology and safety equipment, including equipment requirements of the Special Regulations, and operational aspects of equipment
• Safety Information Notices
• Lessons learned from accidents and incidents in Offshore & Ocean racing during the past 5 years
• Changes to Maritime Search and Rescue and Meteorological services
• Any updates on Medical services and/or Fire Fighting equipment and techniques
• 3 hour practical session on the use of liferafts and lifejackets, activation of PLBs and EPIRBs, rescue, and in-water survival techniques (as per the Full Course)

At the end of the course, participants will complete an assessment paper, either in the Classroom, or on-line.

Find a Safety and Sea Survival Refresher course