BOTH DAYS Photo ID & Credit Card (no cash or checks accepted) Refillable water bottle We will be going outside for some demos so dress for the weather Sunscreen, Sun glasses, Hat, Light jacket Day Two Gear (Sunday, 8/17/25) Inflatable PFD (REQUIRED) + spare cartridge (or rearming kit). Full foul weather gear – including boots Be ready to gear up with all clothing you would have on during a bad weather day. You will get everything wet! Dry clothing, towel & shower gear Bag for all the wet gear
2026 SCYA US SAILING Safety at Sea
Event Date:
August 22, 2026
Event Time:
7:00 am
Event Location:
California Yacht Club CYC, 4469 Admiralty Way, Marina del Rey, CA, 90292, United States
Event Description
Southern California Yachting Association Presents
US Sailing Sanctioned
International Offshore Safety at Sea Course
August 22 – 23, 2026
Hosted by
California Yacht Club
4469 Admiralty Way, Marina Del Rey, CA 90292
Who is this Course for?
- Safety at Sea Courses are for everyone: Cruisers, Power Boaters & Sailboat Racers
- Crew members of long-distance and international offshore races, long-distance cruisers, or persons requiring the International Offshore certificate that complies with World Sailing guidelines for Personal Safety (World Sailing Offshore Special Regulations Appendix G compliant).
Why take a US Sailing Safety at Sea Course?
- Ever wonder what you would do if someone fell overboard from your boat?
- Do you have a plan to deal with heavy weather if you can’t reach a safe harbor?
- Are you interested in selecting the right emergency communications equipment or storm sails, but you’re not sure what to buy?
- US Sailing is the National Governing Body for the Sport of Sailing and the only organization in the United States sanctioned by World Sailing to issue Safety at Sea certificates.
- This event is a US Sailing certified International Safety at Sea course and all participants will be issued a Safety at Sea certificate.
Safety at Sea Course Facts
- The Safety at Sea certificates are valid for five years from the date of issue.
- Moderated and taught by experienced, lifelong sailors who include some of the top names in sailing and safety.
- Appropriate for a wide range of boats and experience levels — small, big, monohulls, multihulls (and powerboats, too) — that are sailed and operated anywhere — nearshore and offshore.
- Sanctioned with the approved curriculum by US Sailing, with special attention to conditions and challenges of the host organization’s sailing area.
- More than 2,500 sailors attend safety courses around North America every year and many bring their families and crews.
International Offshore Safety at Sea Course with Hands-on Training
- Attendees who complete the prerequisites and hands-on training will receive a World Sailing-compliant US Sailing Sanctioned International Offshore Safety at Sea with hands-on training Certificate.
- Complies with World Sailing Offshore Personal Survival Course guidelines; ISAF
- SER Categories: 4.3.1 and 4.3.2
- World Sailing OSR Categories: 0, 1 and 2
- Meets required certification for ARC, Newport to Bermuda, Newport to Ensenada, TransPac, Pac Cup, etc.
- US Sailing Safety at Sea Certification good for 5 years from the date of the course. US Sailing Membership ID is required to issue certification.
- ALL attendees registering for one-day, OPTION 2 or OPTION 3, who are seeking to receive a US Sailing Sanctioned International Offshore Safety at Sea Hands-on Training Certificate that meets World Sailing Guidelines for Offshore Personal Survival MUST have taken the prerequisite online units within 365 days prior to attending (details on prerequisites below.) NO EXCEPTIONS.
- UPDATE (July 2025) Online prerequisite courses are no longer required for OPTION 1: Two-Day Hands-On training! See details below.
Topics
Typically covers 8-10 units from Giving Assistance, Personal Safety Gear, Care and Maintenance of Safety Gear, Fire Safety, Crew Overboard, Cold Exposure, Crew Health, Marine Weather, Heavy Weather, Storm Sails and Reefing, Damage Control, Search and Rescue, Signals, Emergency Communications, and Life Rafts plus hands-on training that includes topics such as boarding a life raft (in a pool), working with inflatable life jackets, pyrotechnics, firefighting, etc.
Learn more from US Sailing Safety at Sea Certified Moderator, Captain Debbie Huntsman, why Option 1: Two-Day course is highly recommended for first-time certificate seekers.
Certificate Options
- OPTION 1: Two-Day—First Time Certificates RECOMMENDED + bonus content (Sat & Sun, Aug. 22-23, 2026) NO PRE-REQUISITES!
- OPTION 2: One-Day, Hands-On ONLY—First Time Certificates (Sunday, Day 2, Aug. 23, 2026)
- OPTION 3: One-Day, REFRESHER—Existing Certificate Holders (Sunday, Day 2, Aug. 23, 2026)
Prerequisite Online Units
- PREREQUISITES ARE NOT REQUIRED IF TAKING OPTION 1: TWO-DAY HANDS ON! (Update as of July 2025.)
- NO EXCEPTIONS. Perquisite online units must be dated within 365 days prior to completing the International Offshore Safety at Sea Course with Hands-On Training (option 2 – one day, and option 3 – refresher). This requirement was mandated by the Safety at Sea SubCommittee for any course held from January 1, 2021 onwards. These prerequisite online units are NOT included in the registration fee for any of the course options.
- OPTION 2: First Time Certificates: Complete the Online Safety at Sea Offshore Course (units 1-15) before taking a hands-on (1-day) course. The Safety at Sea Offshore certificate must be dated within 365 days of taking the hands-on course.
- OPTION 3: Existing Certificate Holders: Holders of existing International Offshore Safety at Sea with hands-on training Certificates (not an Offshore Certificate) less than 7 years old, may attend a Refresher Safety at Sea hands-on ONLY (1-day) course. This certificate has a World Sailing logo on the left side. Below is how it reads on the certificate.
- OPTION 3: Existing Certificate Holders: You must take Online Safety at Sea Offshore Course Upgrade (units 11-15) before attending the Hands-on Training REFRESHER (1-day) course. Upon completion of hands-on training and verification of the completion of the online course, US Sailing will issue you an International Offshore Safety at Sea certificate.
- Certificate Lookup: SCYA is responsible for verifying attendee’s prerequisite certifications using this US Sailing tool,https://www.ussailing.org/education/adult/sas-attendance-lookup/
Certification Pricing
| OPTION 1 Two-Day w/ Hands On —First Time Certificates RECOMMENDED (Sat & Sun, Aug. 22-23, 2026) |
OPTION 2 One-Day Hands On ONLY —First Time Certificates (Sun, Day 2, Aug. 23, 2026) |
OPTION 3 One-Day, Hands On ONLY REFRESHER —Existing Certificate Holders (Sun, Day 2, Aug. 23, 2026) |
|
| Early Bird Registration (ends 05/31/2026) |
$450 | $425 | $300 |
| Regular Registration (ends 07/15/2026) |
$475 | $450 | $325 |
| Late Registration (ends 08/15/2026) |
$500 | $475 | $350 |
| Two-Payment Eligible* (Early Bird Registration Only) |
✓ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Prerequisites Required? | NO | YES | YES |
| Bonus Content | ✓ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Continental Breakfast (Sat, 08/22/2026) |
✓ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Lunch (Sat, 08/22/2026) |
✓ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Happy Hour, Dinner & Networking (NO HOST – Sat, 08/22/2026) |
✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Continental Breakfast (Sun, 08/23/2026) |
✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lunch (Sun, 08/23/2026) |
✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| US Sailing Sanctioned International Offshore Safety at Sea Course with Hands-on Training Certificate |
✓ | ✓ | — |
| US Sailing Sanctioned International Offshore Safety at Sea Refresher Course Certificate | — | — | ✓ |
*We are offering a two-payment installment plan for those registering for OPTION 1: Two-Day with Hands On as follows:
- Installment payment #1: $225 due no later than May 31, 2026.
- Installment payment #2: $225 due no later than July 15, 2026.
- Saves $25 off regular registration fee.
- NO REFUNDS available for the two-payment installment option.
Moderators and Instructors
US Sailing Approved Moderator and Instructor
Captain Kip Louttit, was appointed as the Executive Director of the Marine Exchange of Southern California in January 2013. A graduate of the United States Coast Guard Academy, he served in the United States Coast Guard (USCG) for 30 years prior to retiring with the rank of Captain. Captain Louttit’s experience includes 10 years at sea in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans and the Bering, Mediterranean, and Caribbean Seas. He had six years in command of three different Coast Guard cutters and two years as commanding officer of USCG Integrated Support Command in San Pedro. He is an avid and active sailor with extensive experience in offshore races, actively crewing in racing and cruising sailboats offshore as navigator and bowman. He is a certified U.S. Sailing Safety at Sea moderator, leading programs in Annapolis since 2008.
Second-Strong Moderator and Instructor
Captain James Lee is a former member of the engineering faculty and offshore sailing instructor at the US Naval Academy. He is an ABYC Master Technician and holds a USCG Master license with sailing endorsement. Lee’s servant leadership is evidenced by his extensive involvement in the sailing community, including his current role as Jr. Staff Commodore of King Harbor Yacht Club in Redondo Beach, CA. He actively sails his Excess 11, LA MER, and Wauquiez 40S, MARE’ZIA, serves as charter and delivery Captain and is a certified sailing and powerboat instructor. He also writes and speaks nationally about sailing in North America and Europe.
Course Syllabus & Schedule
The SCYA US Sailing sanctioned International Offshore Safety at Sea Course schedule is posted below and subject to change. Those registered will receive an email with updated event information as it becomes available.
Questions?
Contact Jay Nager, SCYA Director @ jay.nager1@gmail.com. Please allow a 48-hour response time. Please help us spread the word! Share this event with other sailors and club members. Download and share the event flyer below.
Event Refund Policy
- All refunds are subject to a non-refundable, 10% processing fee on the original registration amount.
- NO REFUNDS for registration via the two-payment installation plan (no exceptions).
- Full refund (less 10% processing fee) through May 31, 2026.
- 50% refund (less 10% processing fee) through July 15, 2026.
- 25% refund (less 10% processing fee) through July 31, 2026.
- NO REFUNDS after July 31, 2026 as we are obligated for registered headcount per the food/beverage contract with the host facility.
- To request a refund, please send an email to Jay Nager, SCYA Director @ jay.nager1@gmail.com.
Ticket Options
Attendee Information :
Frequently asked questions
Please read all FAQs prior to registering.
What to Bring
Nearby Accomodations
If you choose one of the major hotels near LAX, your daily costs will be greatly reduced from staying near Marina del Rey. The airport is less than 5 miles from the marina. Here are a few places to stay when visiting Marina del Rey (SCYA has no affiliation with the following): Four Points by Sheraton LAX $160 avg. Hotel MdR Marina del Rey – a Double Tree by Hilton – from $213