You have your STCW, your ENG1 and a dayworking t-shirt, and you want to know the shortest honest route to being taken seriously. The Introduction level of GUEST is that route: four units, delivered by an IAMI-approved provider, leading to the Yacht Junior Steward(ess) Certificate of Competency. Here is exactly what is in it.
The Introduction Units
| Unit | Title | What it actually covers |
|---|---|---|
| Unit 23 | Introduction to Yachting & Yachting Life | Vessel types, crew hierarchy, life onboard, contracts, expectations, professionalism |
| Unit 32 | Basic Housekeeping & Laundry Service | Cabin service, products and surfaces, fabric care, ironing, laundry routines |
| Unit 02 | Basic Food & Beverage Service | Table settings, service styles, silver/plated service, breakfast through dinner |
| Unit 03 | Basic Wine, Bartending & Mixology | Wine basics and service, classic cocktails, bar set-up and hygiene |
Together these four are the interior equivalent of learning to steer before you learn to navigate. They are practical, assessed, and they exist because owners and charter guests notice the difference immediately.
The Certificate at the End
Complete the four units with an approved Training Provider and meet the supporting requirements, and you are eligible for the Yacht Junior Steward(ess) CoC issued under the IAMI-accredited GUEST Program. It is not a licence and it does not make you legal to sail — your STCW does that. It is an industry statement that you have been assessed against a shared standard.
What Else the Level Asks For
The units are only part of it. At entry level you are typically expected to hold or be working towards:
- STCW Basic Safety Training and PSA (Proficiency in Security Awareness)
- a valid ENG1 (or accepted equivalent seafarer medical)
- Food Safety Level 2 — a vocational award from an outside body such as Highfield or RSPH
- an Interior Training Record Book, opened early and signed as you go
- a period of sea service and guest-service days, logged and verifiable
Important: the precise sea-service figures, the exact supporting certificates and even the unit numbering are set by IAMI/GUEST and have been revised over time. Commonly published figures circulate on provider websites and old progression charts; treat them as indicative and subject to change. Confirm the current requirements with GUEST administration or an approved Training Provider before you book.
Common Mistakes at This Level
- Booking units piecemeal from a provider you have not checked is IAMI-approved.
- Starting the record book late, then trying to reconstruct months of service from memory.
- Assuming the Introduction level guarantees a job. It does not. It makes you a credible candidate among people who are otherwise identical to you.
Onboard Notes
- Open your Interior Training Record Book on day one of your first job, not on day one of your first course.
- Photograph every signed page. Record books get lost, and unlogged service is service that did not happen.
- xplor is preparatory study only — no unit, no CoC. Only an approved GUEST Training Provider can assess and certify you.