Short version: No STCW is required for Academy, and it’s typically not required for Yacht Week host/skip roles on our training weeks and most seasonal weeks. You will need STCW if you later work on commercial charter vessels or superyachts (outside our programs) where the flag state/operator requires it.
Why?
The STCW Convention applies to seafarers on seagoing ships to which the Convention applies and excludes pleasure yachts not engaged in trade. That exclusion is part of STCW’s application clause (the same carve-out you’ll see mirrored in many flag-state rules).
In our Academy, you train on pleasure yachts as a supernumerary (effectively a paying participant/trainee), so you’re not a “seafarer” under STCW for that activity.
For most Yacht Week operations, the yachts and roles we place you in do not trigger STCW because they are operated in a way that falls under the pleasure yacht not engaged in trade carve-out for STCW purposes. (Local safety/competency rules can still apply—e.g., national skipper licenses, VHF, medicals per flag or charter company policy.)
Important caveats:
Flag-state and local rules vary. Some countries (and companies) require STCW for commercially registered yachts, superyachts, or specific coastal/area operations regardless of STCW’s general exclusion.
If you take paid work on commercial charter vessels or superyachts, expect STCW and a seafarer medical to be mandatory per the operator/flag.
Always follow the requirements in your offer/contract and the charter company’s policy for the specific boat and location.