sail TRAINING & CERTIFICATION
Competence is the only thing that matters
SV Indie Sky Students & Crew learn to sail through the fully accredited NauticEd sailing education program. This program prepares you to be a competent sailor. Our training programs adhere to the U.S. Coast Guard’s American National Standards for sailing training, and our NauticEd Certifications and Licenses are recognized by yacht chartering companies around the world.
3 Steps to Training & Assessment
Step 1: Start by discussing your sailing goals and experience
Are you looking to become a confident sailboat owner—capable, insurable, and ready to safely sail anywhere in the world?
Do you want to earn the certifications needed to bareboat charter a catamaran and skipper your own dream vacation?
Are you hoping to build your skills and experience as a competent crew member?
Regardless of your goals, w
Are you looking to become a confident sailboat owner—capable, insurable, and ready to safely sail anywhere in the world?
Do you want to earn the certifications needed to bareboat charter a catamaran and skipper your own dream vacation?
Are you hoping to build your skills and experience as a competent crew member?
Regardless of your goals, we can help. Reach out to us and share your past training and experience so we can tailor a training program to meet your individual needs.
Step 2: Begin the online theory-knowledge courses immediately!
A major advantage of our program is that you can start your online training right away, allowing you to prepare thoroughly and make the most of your on-the-water training aboard SV Indie Sky.
Online knowledge-based courses have consistently outperformed traditional methods in both education and business.
We only use NauticEd’s online cours
A major advantage of our program is that you can start your online training right away, allowing you to prepare thoroughly and make the most of your on-the-water training aboard SV Indie Sky.
Online knowledge-based courses have consistently outperformed traditional methods in both education and business.
We only use NauticEd’s online courses because they are recognized as best-in-class for boating education.
Step 3: On-water Training, Assessment & Certification
Step 3: On-water Training, Assessment & Certification
SV Indie Sky’s on-the-water training focuses on applying knowledge and building skills. We tailor the training to your needs and goals, with a strong emphasis on hands-on sailing experience, seamanship, and overall competence.
Certification is optional and includes a thorough assessment of your skills, safety practices, and readiness at ea
SV Indie Sky’s on-the-water training focuses on applying knowledge and building skills. We tailor the training to your needs and goals, with a strong emphasis on hands-on sailing experience, seamanship, and overall competence.
Certification is optional and includes a thorough assessment of your skills, safety practices, and readiness at each level.
Our instructors can assess your progress during training, or you can schedule a separate assessment.
Introduction to Sailing Course
**Welcome aboard to the world of sailing!**
If you want (or dream) to learn to sail, or are just curious about sailing techniques and theory, the NauticEd Introduction to Sailing Course is for you! NauticEd’s Introduction to Sailing Course teaches you the fundamentals of sailing, giving you the confidence to start sailing right.
Estimated Time: 4 hours
Rating is 4.94 (based on 147 reviews).
Qualified Crew Member Course
Learn to sail and contribute as a crew member on a keelboat from 25 ft to 55 ft (7.5m to 17m). Learn the lines, knots, sailing terminology, sail trim, helming, and rules of the road plus much more. Become a great crew member to fully enjoy and appreciate sailing whether daysailing with friends, racing, or a sailing vacation.
Estimated time: 7 hours
Rating is 4.84 (based on 1012 reviews).Add a short description.
Skipper Large Sailboats Course Bundle
.A comprehensive online sailing course for beginner to intermediate sailors to learn how to sail large sailboats (keelboats) 26 ft (8m) and above. If you want to learn to sail or improve your sailing skills then the Skipper Large Sailboat Online Course is right for you.
Estimated time: 20 hours
Rating is 4.92 (based on 4411 reviews).A comprehensive online sailing
Bareboat Charter Master course
You can master the knowledge and skills needed for bareboat charter sailing vacations and multiday near-coastal sailing with the Bareboat Charter Master's comprehensive bundle of 6 online courses. Optional Bareboat Certification and the SLC International Sailing License (recognized by port authorities worldwide) are available when you meet the experience and assessment requirements. Plus, get free access to Electronic Navigation, Basic Sail Trim, and Navigation Rules courses, and start preparing to discover the freedom of near-coastal sailing and bareboat charters!
Estimated Time (all courses combined): 53 hours
Rating is 4.90 (based on 61489 reviews).
Navigation, Basic Sail Trim, and Navigation Rules for Free
Catamaran Sailing Confidence Course
Are you planning to sail or charter a sailing catamaran? This Catamaran Sailing Confidence online course builds upon your keelboat training and experience to give you the confidence to safely and efficiently sail a catamaran. The Catamaran Sailing Confidence online course includes interactive animations to help understand catamaran maneuvering in the marina.
Estimated time: 3 hours
Rating is 4.85 (based on 1318 reviews).
INTERNATIONAL SAILING LICENSE AND CREDENTIALS (SLC™)
The International Sailing License and Credentials (SLC) is a recreational sailing license valid for all yacht charter companies worldwide including Europe and the Seychelles. The SLC-p is the power boat equivalent. To gain an SLC, the candidate must take online theory knowledge self-paced classes, log previous sufficient appropriate boating experience on boats of reasonably similar size and type, and demonstrate practical skills according to internationally and US Coast Guard established boating standards.
Why train with US?
USCG Licensed
A United States Coast Guard (USCG) Captain’s License is more than a credential—it’s a mark of professionalism, safety, and accountability on the water. Your instructor holds a USCG Captain’s License, meaning that he’s met the rigorous standards for maritime knowledge, seamanship, navigation, safety procedures, and time spent at sea. The USCG license ensures that your training is backed by federal oversight and held to the highest standards of competence and responsibility. All SV Indie Sky Captains hold USCG Captain Licenses.
Official Nautic-Ed School
NauticEd's mission is to educate and train competent sailors. Sailing competence requires a mix of knowledge, skills and experience. .
Once achieved, competence means a sailor will keep their crew safe, have more fun, and be empowered with the confidence to sail beyond visible horizons and personal boundaries.
Joining an expedition on SV Indie Sky provides crew with the opportunity to build competence.
We’ve gone above and beyond to meet NauticEd’s high standards, and our passionate instructors undergo rigorous training and certification to deliver world-class instruction.
With SV Indie Sky, you’ll learn from dedicated and standardized professionals ready to help you achieve your sailing dreams with confidence, skill, and safety.
American National Standards
American National Standards
In 2017, the United States Coast Guard (USCG) developed the American National Standards (EDU-3) for sailing training and assessment in an effort to increase the competence of new sailors.
To date, NauticEd is the only global sailing education body to be recognized as meeting these high standards by ensuring competence across the board with comprehensive theory knowledge, on-the-water skills assessment, and an appropriate amount of on-the-water experience prior to certification.
Highest Levels of training
At SV Indie Sky, we’ve personally evaluated and experienced the top training and certification programs across North America and Europe. Our team of professionals operates at the highest levels in their fields and brings deep expertise in training systems. We refuse to accept subpar instruction, which unfortunately is common in the sailing world. Many other programs hand out certifications just for showing up—this is unacceptable and dangerous. Among the options, NauticEd and RYA clearly stood out. Ultimately, we chose to partner fully with NauticEd because of its unmatched depth, breadth, and modern approach to education.
🧭 What This Means:
- Train and gain experience globally on adventure themed expeditions
- Experience what true live-aboard life is like via true blue water passages. Ideal for aspiring cruisers and future captains and crew members
- Access to NauticEd’s advanced online curriculum combined with our unique expedition-based approach
- Opportunities to earn globally recognized certifications supporting bareboat charters and advanced cruising