Katie Sewell embarked on a life-changing experience during Phase 1 of UKSA?s Superyacht Cadetship, here she tells us what she learnt and what’s next for her now that Phase 1 is done…
UKSA?s Superyacht Cadetship is a four-year programme training future officers of the Superyacht industry. Cadets are aged between 18 and 25. Many of them have achieved success in the Sea Cadets, Scouts or the Duke of Edinburgh award scheme.
Whatever their background, all UKSA cadets have the determination to forge a successful career in an elite industry. Here, Katie tells us about her experience on Phase 1 of the Cadetship and what she’s hoping to achieve next.
What was the first stage of the Cadetship"
One of the first courses I did on the Cadetship was STCW (Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers), where we practised sea survival. This included getting in and out of a life raft in the pool, first aid and my personal favourite, firefighting. Then we were issued our uniforms which was a big thing for us as it made the fact that we were now Superyacht Cadets very real! What did you have to learn when you first went out to sea" 
When we moved on to the next stage of training, the sea phases, we sailed all around the Solent. We learned how to cook, work winches, helm the yachts and we saw some amazing sights.
We then went on the Farr 65 which is with ten crew members instead of five; this is where we were introduced to the watch system...