The Ultimate Purser Course

Trilogy Luxury Training is proud to collaborate with The Yacht Purser and bring you the ultimate Yacht Purser Course.

Sandra Jordaan is a career coach to many aspiring Pursers in the yachting industry, she found that there was a need to create a theoretical and practical Yacht Purser Course that would ensure that first-time Pursers have the skills and experience they need to land their first Purser role. The largest barrier to entry into the Purser role is that Captains do not want to ‘babysit’ new Pursers or risk that someone does not have the right skills to perform their duties to a high level.
​
The Purser is integral to the smooth operation of the vessel from both a logistical and operational aspect. It is imperative that crew who have never held this position understand the complexities involved in this challenging yet highly rewarding career. The assignments have been created to ensure that the course is not a long ‘to-do’ list but rather engages the student in a way that they would be on-board.

Yacht Purser Course

 


MODULE 1 | The Role of the Purser | Leadership

On completion of these two modules, students will understand:

  • the yacht purser's role in managing crew and vessel logistics

  • how the purser fits into the yacht's hierarchy, as well as reporting structures

  • how the purser supports each department on board

  • how the purser supports shore-based management, suppliers, agents and other stakeholders

  • what motivates people and teams

  • how to set SMART goals

  • effective communication 

  • leadership styles

  • how to identify and manage stress and fatigue

  • salary expectations of a new purser

MODULE 2 | the Yachting Regulatory Environment

On completion of this module, students will understand:

  • international and maritime/admiralty law

  • sources of law on board

  • the role of the ILO and IMO

  • the Four Pillars of maritime law

  • Flag States

  • the role of the Classification Society

  • maritime treaties, conventions and codes

  • Port State Control 

  • private vs commercial registration

  • industry associations and bodies to support crew

MODULE 3 | Crew Management

On completion of this module, students will understand:

  • crew embarkation and disembarkation procedures

  • crew onboarding and management

  • crew certificate management

  • Certificates of Competencies

  • Flag State Endorsements and CECs

  • crew leave and training tracking 

  • payroll processing

  • crew insurance

MODULE 4 | Port Clearances

On completion of this module, students will understand:

  • the role of the yacht agent

  • maintaining the crew list

  • customs procedures

  • immigration​ procedures

  • agricultural and health requirements

  • certificates versus declarations

  • shore leave

  • USA cruising 

  • Mediterranean cruising

MODULE 5 | Charter Operations

On completion of this module, students will understand:

  • yacht ownership vs charters

  • the different roles of charter brokers

  • factors for charter success

  • charter marketing

  • charter associations and agreements

  • charter costs

  • VAT and charter

  • preference sheets

  • APA Accounting

  • guest management and reporting

  • daily duties on charter

  • crew gratuity calculation

MODULE 6 | Destination Management

On completion of this module, students will understand:

  • destination research 

  • itinerary creation

  • guest activity tracking and management

  • weather considerations

  • legalities, taxes and import considerations for world cruising

  • visas and vaccinations for crew and guests

  • shipping logistics for ship stores in transit

MODULE 7 | Budgeting and Accounting

On completion of this module, students will understand:

  • accounting definitions​

  • accounting practices

  • purchase order system

  • book-keeping and double-entry practices

  • petty cash and multiple currency management

  • credit and debit card procedures

  • managing budgets and variances

  • cost code allocation

  • invoice and supplier management 

  • audits

  • VAT and the vessel

MODULE 8 | Software

On completion of this module, students will understand:

  • how to effectively use MS Office​ to streamline admin on board the yacht

    • MS Word

    • MS Excel

    • MS PowerPoint

    • MS Outlook

  • accounting software (Voly)

  • how to manage folders on the server

ASSIGNMENTS

Assignments have been created for each module that simulates the day-to-day duties a Purser completes onboard. This provides you with the confidence to walk into your first Purser role, knowing exactly what is expected of you (and the ability to make mistakes 'in the classroom' first and learn from them).