What Ocean Star Sailing Academy does

Ocean Star Sailing Academy is a privately held vocational training institution founded in 2007 and headquartered at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town, South Africa. It delivers internationally accredited sailing and superyacht crew training under a triple-accreditation framework: Royal Yachting Association (RYA), South African Sailing (SAS), and the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA), with STCW certifications recognised by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO). The core offering comprises career-focused packages — Superyacht Deckhand (4 days), Superyacht Stewardess (20 days), Superyacht Chef, and the Stew/Masseuse package (27 days, R44,985) — bundled to cover all mandatory certifications required for entry-level employment on private yachts. Beyond career packages, the academy runs progression courses from beginner RYA Competent Crew through to Yachtmaster Ocean, plus short-course modules in Powerboat, PWC/Jetski, Diesel Engine, Radar, and VHF/SRC Radio, as well as hospitality add-ons in mixology and silver service.

The business operates on a direct-to-consumer model with a single physical training facility at 14 West Quay Road, V&A Waterfront, uniquely integrating theory classrooms, practical training vessels, and on-site dormitory accommodation (R375/night). Customers — primarily career-focused individuals entering the superyacht industry, plus secondary segments of recreational sailors and gap-year travellers — enrol via the website, phone, WhatsApp, email, or walk-in. Course fees are predominantly one-time/per-course with quote-based pricing for most offerings. Ancillary revenue streams include per-night accommodation, ocean mile-building voyages (e.g., Rio to Cape Town at R20,000 per crew member toward costs), and a wholly-owned subsidiary, Ocean Star Charters, providing jet ski experiences and boat charters. The GTM is content-marketing-led via website, blog, Facebook, X, and Instagram, with student testimonials serving as social proof and an emphasis on graduate placement through relationships with international crew agencies and captains. No public funding, institutional investors, management disclosures, or enterprise contracts are evidenced.

Name

Ocean Star Sailing Academy

Legal name

Ocean Star Sailing Academy

Website

https://oceanstarsailing.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Ocean Star Sailing Academy is a Cape Town-based private maritime training school delivering RYA, SAS, and SAMSA-accredited courses for superyacht crew careers and recreational sailors at the V&A Waterfront facility.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Maritime Training Services

NAICS

Flight Training (611512)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Navigation, Seamanship & Offshore Operations (EDAOANAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Merchant Marine & Deck Operations (EDAOANAA), Sailing Experiences (Lessons, Regattas, Day Sails) (THAJAJAG), Pilot Training, Certification & Medical/Fitness Services (TLAHAGAI)

Keywords

• Maritime training
• Yacht crew courses
• Superyacht certification
• Sailing education
• STCW safety training

Headquarters

HQ city

Cape Town

HQ country

South Africa

HQ region

Africa

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Course Tuition Fees: One-time course fees for maritime training programs ranging from single-day courses to comprehensive 27-day career packages. Pricing varies by course duration and included certifications.
2. Accommodation Services: Dormitory-style accommodation at V&A Waterfront offered to out-of-town students during training periods. Charged per night at R375.00 with security deposit.
3. Mile-Building Voyages: Specialized blue-water sailing trips for skippers and crew seeking nautical mile experience toward Yachtmaster qualifications. Requires crew contribution of R20,000 per person toward voyage costs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Ocean Star Sailing Academy is a Cape Town-based maritime training academy offering RYA, SAS, and SAMSA accredited sailing and superyacht crew courses. It delivers career-focused packages (Deckhand, Stewardess, Chef, Stew/Masseuse), progressive RYA certification courses from Competent Crew through Yachtmaster, and STCW safety training, combined with on-site dormitory accommodation at the V&A Waterfront.

Product overview

Ocean Star Sailing Academy is a maritime training institution offering a comprehensive suite of RYA (Royal Yachting Association), SAS (South African Sailing), and SAMSA (South African Maritime Safety Authority) accredited courses. The academy provides career-focused programs for the superyacht industry including Superyacht Deckhand Career Course (4 days), Superyacht Stewardess Career Course (20 days), Superyacht Chef Career Course, and Superyacht Stew/Masseuse Career Course (27 days). Beyond career packages, the academy offers sailing progression courses from beginner (RYA Competent Crew, SAS Day Skipper) through intermediate (RYA Day Skipper) to advanced levels (RYA Yachtmaster Theory/Practical, Yachtmaster Ocean, Coastal Skipper). Specialized deckhand training includes STCW Safety at Sea, RYA Powerboat Level 2, RYA PWC Jetski, RYA Diesel Engine, RYA Radar, and SAMSA SRC/VHF Radio. Additional professional development courses cover Advanced Mixology, Advanced Silver Service, and Food & Health Safety Level 2. The academy is the only sailing academy in Cape Town offering theory courses, practical courses, and accommodation from within the V&A Waterfront location.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Ocean Star Charters: Charter business offering jet ski experiences and boat charters through the V&A Waterfront.

Products and services

• Superyacht Deckhand Career Course

Quantifiable outcome

• Graduates equipped to work on superyachts, cruise ships, and commercial vessels worldwide
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Royal Yachting Association (RYA)coreTechnology or IntegrationRYA accreditation allows Ocean Star Sailing Academy to deliver internationally recognized sailing and maritime certifications. RYA is the UK national body responsible for all forms of marine sports. Courses include RYA Competent Crew, Day Skipper, Yachtmaster, Powerboat Level 2, PWC Jetski, Diesel Engine, Radar, and VHF Radio certifications recognized worldwide.
• South African Sailing (SAS)coreTechnology or IntegrationSAS membership enables delivery of South African sailing certifications including SAS Day Skipper and SAS Category C certifications for local and international waters.
• South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA)coreTechnology or IntegrationSAMSA recognition allows delivery of STCW certifications and other maritime qualifications mandated for commercial seafarers in South Africa. The academy operates under SAMSA guidelines for maritime safety training.
• International Maritime Organisation (IMO)coreTechnology or IntegrationSTCW certifications delivered by the academy are recognized by the IMO, the United Nations agency responsible for the safety and security of shipping and the prevention of maritime pollution.
• Superyacht Crew Agencies and Captains (Overseas)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegular contact with international crew agencies and captains overseas to understand industry requirements and ensure course curriculum meets employer expectations. These relationships help place graduates in superyacht positions globally.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• International Yacht Training (IYT): Global yacht training accreditation body offering internationally recognized crew certifications. Ocean Star itself delivers IYT courses, but IYT is the broader incumbent whose network of training centers competes for the same international student market.

Direct peers

• Pro Yacht Training: RYA-recognized sailing and motor cruising school offering crew training courses. Comparable to Ocean Star in offering tiered RYA certification pathways for aspiring crew members.
• Flying Fish Online: Maritime training provider offering both online and in-person RYA/STCW courses globally. Directly competes with Ocean Star's theory and certification offerings, particularly for students seeking flexible or remote learning options.
• Blue Water Yachting: South Africa-based superyacht training and crew placement agency. Directly comparable to Ocean Star in offering yacht crew training in Cape Town and connecting graduates with international yacht employment opportunities.
• South African Maritime Training (SAMTRA): South Africa-based maritime training institution delivering STCW and commercial seafarer certifications under SAMSA recognition. Direct domestic competitor for the same regulatory-accredited training market Ocean Star serves.
• Elite Sailing Academy: UK-based RYA training center offering Competent Crew through Yachtmaster courses. Comparable curriculum and accreditation alignment with Ocean Star, though focused on the UK market.

Regional players

• Mediterranean Sailing School (MSS): Mediterranean-based RYA training school located in a major superyacht hub. Comparable training offerings but with embedded access to Mediterranean charter season hiring networks.
• UKSA (United Kingdom Sailing Academy): UK-based maritime training charity offering RYA courses and youth development programs. Comparable in mission and curriculum (RYA-aligned vocational maritime training) but serves the UK student market rather than the South African/African market.
• Mahurangi Technical Institute (NZ Maritime School): New Zealand-based maritime vocational training institution offering STCW and seafarer certification programs. Operates in a similar vocational maritime education niche but primarily serves the Australasian market.

Emerging players

• Ahoy Club: Online platform connecting aspiring superyacht crew with training providers and crew agencies. Adjacent competitor that could disintermediate traditional sailing academies by aggregating course discovery and placement.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/sailcapetown
• Facebookfacebook.com/OceanStarSailingAcademy
• Instagraminstagram.com/ocean_star_sailing_academy
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ocean-star-sailing-academy

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Ocean Star Sailing Academy