Day Skipper
Program
Complete Day Skipper practical syllabus with ICC assessment aboard a Bali catamaran in the beautiful British Virgin Islands.
Duration
7 Days
Location
Sopers Hole, Tortola
Vessel
Bali Catamaran
Outcome
Day Skipper + ICC
Program Overview
Our 7-Day Day Skipper Program delivers the complete RYA Day Skipper practical syllabus plus preparation for the International Certificate of Competence (ICC) assessment. You'll learn to skipper a yacht safely in daylight hours within familiar waters.
What You'll Learn
- Catamaran handling under power and sail
- Navigation and pilotage techniques
- Anchoring and mooring procedures
- COLREGs and rules of the road
- Emergency procedures and MOB drills
Prerequisites
- Some previous sailing experience helpful
- Competent Crew or equivalent recommended
- Minimum age 18 for ICC assessment
- Reasonable level of physical fitness
- Enthusiasm and willingness to learn
7-Day Schedule
A structured progression from basics to confident skippering
Arrival, Induction & First Handling
Sopers Hole, Tortola
Morning / Midday
- • Arrival and check-in at Sopers Hole Marina
- • Vessel orientation and safety briefing
- • Allocation of cabins and onboard routines
- • Overview of the week and ICC assessment criteria
Afternoon
- • Familiarisation sail in Sir Francis Drake Channel
- • Engine handling and prop walk awareness
- • Close-quarters manoeuvring under instruction
- • Anchoring practice in a nearby bay
Sail Handling, Helming & Anchoring
Sopers Hole → Norman Island
- • Passage planning by students with oversight
- • Sail hoists, trimming, reefing, points of sail
- • Helming techniques on a catamaran
- • Anchoring: scope, holding, anchor watch
- • Evening theory: COLREGs and lookout
Navigation & Pilotage
Norman Island → Cooper Island
- • Chartwork, course to steer, leeway, variation
- • Visual pilotage into anchorages
- • GPS and electronic aids with paper charts
- • Man overboard drills under sail and engine
- • Evening: passage planning for ICC
Passage Making & Skipper Responsibility
Cooper Island → Virgin Gorda area
- • Longer leg with rotating skipper roles
- • Watchkeeping, lookout, log keeping
- • Sail changes for wind shifts and angles
- • Weather interpretation and decision making
- • Mooring pick-up and close-quarters handling
Advanced Handling & Emergencies
Virgin Gorda → Jost Van Dyke
- • Close-quarters manoeuvring under power
- • Berthing techniques for catamarans
- • Emergency procedures: fire, flooding, steering
- • Towing considerations and risk assessment
- • ICC oral prep: rules, buoyage, responsibilities
Consolidation & ICC Preparation
Jost Van Dyke → Outer anchorages → Sopers Hole
- • Students plan and execute the day's passage
- • Instructor reduces input to observer role
- • Final MOB and anchoring exercises
- • Return sail to Sopers Hole
- • Evening ICC briefing and readiness checks
ICC Practical Assessment & Debrief
Sopers Hole, Tortola
Morning — Assessment
- • ICC practical assessment by qualified examiner
- • Close-quarters handling demonstration
- • Navigation questioning
- • COLREGs and safety knowledge
- • Command and situational awareness
Afternoon — Completion
- • Individual debriefs and logbook sign-off
- • ICC paperwork completion (subject to pass)
- • Course wrap-up and next-steps guidance
- • Departure
Notes on ICC Delivery in the BVI
- • ICC assessment can be conducted without tidal waters
- • The BVI offers ideal controlled conditions for assessment
- • Night hours not required for ICC (unlike Yachtmaster)
- • Candidates must be 18+ and demonstrate skipper competence
Program Pricing
All-inclusive training with professional instruction
7-Day Day Skipper Program
$4,500 per person
Based on shared double cabin
Included
- 7 nights accommodation aboard
- All meals and provisions
- Professional RYA instructor
- ICC assessment fee
- Fuel and marina fees
- Training materials
- Logbook sign-off
Not Included
- • Flights to/from Tortola
- • Meals ashore
- • Shore excursions
- • Personal travel insurance
VIP Day Skipper Experience
$12,000
VIP package details below
VIP Inclusions
- 2 people sharing an owner's version cabin
- Max 3:1 instructor-to-student ratio
All Standard Inclusions
- • 7 nights accommodation aboard
- • All meals and provisions
- • Professional RYA instructor
- • ICC assessment fee
- • Fuel and marina fees
- • Training materials
- • Logbook sign-off
Day Skipper & ICC FAQs
Clear answers for skippers training in the British Virgin Islands
What's the difference between Day Skipper and ICC?
Day Skipper is a practical training standard that prepares you to safely skipper in daylight within familiar waters. The ICC is a recognition of competence used internationally for chartering; we can conduct ICC assessment alongside the Day Skipper practical in the BVI.
Do I need tidal waters to take the ICC in the BVI?
No. ICC assessment can be completed without tidal waters provided you demonstrate navigation, COLREGs, boat handling, and safety standards. The BVI offers ideal controlled conditions for assessing competence.
What are the prerequisites and minimum age?
Competent Crew or equivalent experience is recommended. For ICC assessment, candidates are typically 18+. A reasonable level of fitness and willingness to learn is expected.
Is this taught on catamarans? Why Bali?
Yes. Training is conducted aboard modern Bali catamarans. Their open-space design, systems layout, and handling characteristics are ideal for owner-operators and Caribbean charter environments.
What license do I need to charter a yacht in the Caribbean?
Requirements vary by jurisdiction and charter company. Day Skipper plus ICC is widely accepted for bareboat charter. We can advise on local compliance and insurance expectations.
Is there a VIP option?
Yes. VIP is $12,000 for two people sharing an owner's version cabin with a max 3:1 instructor-to-student ratio. All standard inclusions apply.
Ready to Become a Day Skipper?
Contact us to check availability and reserve your place on our next program