Learn how to correctly fit, use, and maintain lifejackets, harnesses, and tethers to maximise personal safety at sea.
CategoryOther Courses
The Australian Sailing Safety and Sea Survival Course is a vital program for sailors participating in offshore and coastal racing or cruising. Designed to meet the safety requirements of Category 1 and 2 races, this course equips participants with essential knowledge and practical skills to respond to emergencies at sea.
Topics include life raft use, lifejackets, hypothermia prevention, firefighting, distress signals, and personal survival techniques. The course combines interactive theory sessions with hands-on drills in a swimming pool. A Safety and Sea Survival Certificate is issued upon successful completion and is valid for five years. Minimum age to 16.
Learn how to correctly fit, use, and maintain lifejackets, harnesses, and tethers to maximise personal safety at sea.
Practise abandoning a vessel safely and gain hands-on experience launching and entering a liferaft in simulated conditions.
Understand how to regularly check, care for, and store essential safety equipment to ensure it functions when needed.
Develop practical skills in voyage preparation, including identifying risks and creating contingency plans for emergencies.
Learn when and how to use storm sails to maintain control of your vessel in severe weather conditions.
Explore damage control methods, including dealing with flooding, steering failure, and hull breaches.
Gain confidence in handling your boat in strong winds and rough seas using proven storm tactics.
Learn best practices for avoiding crew overboard incidents and executing effective recovery procedures if they occur.
Recognise and respond to hypothermia and cold shock, and apply basic first aid techniques for onboard injuries.
Understand how marine rescue systems operate and what actions you can take to assist during a rescue effort.
Learn to interpret weather forecasts, synoptic charts, and weather patterns relevant to offshore sailing.
Identify fire hazards, understand prevention strategies, and practise using extinguishers and other firefighting equipment.
Use radios, EPIRBs, and other devices to alert authorities and communicate during emergency situations.
Gain practical experience deploying flares and other signalling devices used in maritime emergencies.
The Australian Sailing Safety and Sea Survival Course (SSSC) is a comprehensive and practical program designed for sailors participating in offshore and coastal sailing, particularly those competing in Category 1 and 2 races. This nationally recognised course meets the requirements of World Sailing’s Offshore Special Regulations and is essential for anyone looking to prepare themselves and their crew for emergencies at sea.
The course is suitable for both racing and cruising sailors and covers a wide range of safety and survival topics. It aims to provide participants with the skills and knowledge needed to react confidently and effectively in emergency situations such as vessel abandonment, man overboard, fire onboard, and adverse weather conditions.
The SSSC combines theoretical learning with practical experience. Classroom sessions cover topics such as understanding safety equipment, emergency protocols, first aid essentials, crew preparation, search and rescue procedures, and prevention of hypothermia. You’ll also learn how to interpret weather conditions and make critical decisions under pressure.
A key feature of the course is the practical pool session, where you will gain firsthand experience in deploying and boarding a life raft, using personal flotation devices (PFDs), and practising survival techniques in a controlled but realistic environment. This session is designed to build confidence in your ability to use the equipment correctly and remain calm in difficult conditions.
The course is delivered by accredited instructors who bring a wealth of experience from real-life offshore sailing scenarios. They provide hands-on training, insights into best practices, and guidance based on the latest safety standards and technologies.
Upon successful completion, participants receive a Safety and Sea Survival Certificate, which is valid for five years and required for at least 50% of the crew on board during Category 1 and 2 offshore races under Australian Sailing regulations.
This course is not only about ticking a box for race compliance—it’s about equipping yourself with potentially life-saving knowledge and preparing for the unexpected. Whether you’re planning to cross an ocean, race offshore, or cruise along the coast, the SSSC provides critical skills that enhance safety, confidence, and peace of mind at sea.
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