Master the Seas! Become a Certified Skipper in 2026 with OLS Yachting Volos
Don’t Just Learn to Sail. Learn to Lead.
In 2026, the sea belongs to those who are prepared. Our intensive 7-day program is designed to take you from a curious enthusiast to a fully legal, confident Skipper. We don’t cut corners. While other schools offer partial qualifications, we provide the Triple-Crown Certification as standard.
One week. Three licenses. Zero limits.
Why Our School?
Built for the Real World
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Maximum 5 students per boat: Guaranteed “helm time” for every student.
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Mechanical Confidence: Learn how a yacht actually works—from engine checks to manual sail trim.
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Real-World Skills: We prepare you to step onto any charter boat in the world and feel at home.
- Expert Instructors: ISSA-certified professionals with 10+ years of Mediterranean experience.
THE TRIPLE-CROWN CERTIFICATION
Legal. Safe. Prepared.
To be a responsible skipper, you need the right credentials. Our course finishes with a practical exam before a Greek Commission, granting you three mandatory certifications:
| License | Why it’s Mandatory & Why it’s Great |
| ISSA Inshore Skipper | The Global Passport. This is your international ticket. Recognized worldwide, it allows you to charter yachts up to 24m. It proves you have the skills to handle a vessel in coastal waters, day and night. |
| VHF Radio Operator | The Lifeline. Legal authorities and insurance companies require this. It’s not just about “talking”—it’s about safety protocols, emergency DSC signals, and knowing how to call for help when it matters most. |
| Greek Offshore License | The Local Edge. Since we train in the world’s #1 sailing destination, this license is vital. It simplifies local port paperwork and ensures you are fully compliant with Greek maritime law for all future charters.Includes membership in the Offshore Yachting Club IOVATH. |
THE 2026 CURRICULUM
This is an all-encompassing program. We move from theory to muscle memory over 7 days.
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Ship’s Readiness: Operational checklists, engine inspection, and tool management.
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Safety & Survival: “Man Overboard” (MOB) procedures, first aid, and life-saving equipment.
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The Navigator’s Eye: Determining position on nautical charts, reading lights, buoys, and marks.
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Meteorology: Understanding Pagasetic Gulf wind patterns and GRIB file interpretation.
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The Art of Maneuvering: Precision docking (stern-to and alongside), anchoring in various depths, and Mediterranean mooring.
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Sailing Dynamics: Sail trim, points of sail, and handling the Dufour 43 under full canvas.
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The Tech Suite: Mastering Chartplotters, AIS, and electronic navigation aids.
Secure Your Berth
Early booking is highly recommended for 2026 as our groups are kept small for maximum instruction time
Investment in Your Future: €1000
What’s Included:
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7 days accommodation in a double bunk cabin.
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Daily theoretical and practical training + literature.
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Fuel, bedding, towels, and final cleaning.
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All docking fees and the Greek commission exam.
What’s Not Included:
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Licenses: Total €400 (Greek Offshore, ISSA Inshore, VHF).
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Food & Drinks: Candidates pool together for onboard meals and taverna visits.
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Private Cabin Upgrade: €200 (Subject to availability).
What Our Students Say
Preporuka moja je da drustvo na jati, zbog skucenog prostora mora biti strpljivo i fleksibilno, i dobro se poznavati. Nas je bilo 6 odraslih i djecak i odlicno smo funkcionisali.
Svih 7 je dalo po 5 zvjezdica.
Fotografija ima previse, naci cemo nesto i postaviti.
Buco, vidimo se i ovo ljeto i mirno more i svako dobro ti zelimo
Pozdrav za najboljeg skipera Bucu
The quality of the course was outstanding, perfectly combining solid theoretical foundations with intensive, real-life sailing practice. Buco provided us with well-prepared learning materials that made complex topics clear and approachable, but the real value comes from learning everything directly at sea, through real-life sailing. Leaving the dock, raising the sails, tacking, jibing, man-overboard situations, anchoring and docking were not just exercises, but part of our everyday life during the course. It was a true pleasure to spend time with Buco while not only learning how to sail but also gaining valuable life lessons along the way.
This brings me to the next point, as living on the boat for a full week takes the entire experience to another level. You learn far more than sailing skills: responsibility, teamwork, trust, adaptability and respect for nature and for the people around you. You don’t just learn how to sail, you also learn how to live at sea and apply those skills in real life.
With OLS Yachting Volos and Buco, sailing is only the beginning. You also learn about everyday life at sea: cooking together on the boat, organizing life in a small space, sharing stories, exchanging life tips, laughing, solving problems and growing together. These moments create bonds and memories that stay with you long after the course ends.
Spending seven days on the water during this course was far more than learning how to handle a boat. It was a complete and unforgettable life experience.
Highly recommended to anyone who wants not just to learn sailing, but to truly live it!
Our skipper instructor, Budimir Sokolovic - Buco, was outstanding — extremely professional, competent, patient, and flexible with all candidates. At the same time, he was assertive in making sure we truly acquired every skill needed to be a confident and responsible skipper. He doesn’t just tell you what to do; he empowers you by asking questions, challenging your decisions, and making you explain the logic behind them, which really helps build real understanding and confidence.
Buco is also very insightful and provides a solid set of useful reading materials that support the practical training. We were a team of three, and he managed his time perfectly, giving each of us enough individual attention without ever feeling rushed.
This wasn’t my first experience with him — I previously completed the basic inland skipper course with him in Ohrid last year, which was also excellent, so I already knew I was in good hands.
The boat itself was very well maintained, clean, and spacious, which made the entire learning experience even more comfortable and enjoyable.
Overall, a truly great experience. I would absolutely recommend OLS Yachting and will definitely use their boat renting service in the future as well.