New Zealand’s First Direct-Placement Superyacht Course

After 11 years in the international superyacht industry - rising from Deckhand to First Officer on a 75-metre vessel and working for some of the most prestigious families in the world - I’ve returned to New Zealand with one goal: to give young Kiwis a real, structured pathway into the superyacht industry.

Cota Yacht School is a hands-on, four-day intensive course designed for aspiring Deckhands and Stewardesses who want to break into yachting the right way - prepared, confident, and professionally recommended.

Unlike traditional courses that send students overseas to “dock walk” and hope for the best, our program provides:

Real-world practical training on superyachts in New Zealand
Hands-on experience in multi-million dollar luxury homes reflective of the superyacht standard
Yachting etiquette, hierarchy, and behavioural expectations
The unfiltered truth about life onboard
Practical deck skills, including wash-downs, detailing, teak care, and protocol
Interior standards, conduct, guest interaction and attention to detail
Career guidance, mindset training, and job-retention strategies
And most importantly: direct placement opportunities.

Through over a decade of industry relationships, I maintain close connections with Captains and senior crew who regularly ask me to recommend quality candidates. Graduates who demonstrate the right attitude and standards will be personally recommended for positions on some of the world’s finest vessels.

For parents, this means peace of mind. No sending your child overseas without direction. No uncertainty. No dock-walking.
Instead, structured preparation in New Zealand, followed by direct industry introduction.

This is not just a course. It’s a gateway.