Two schools in the same town offer the same GUEST unit. One is 40% cheaper, runs it in three days instead of five, and has a very shiny website. Your entire winter training budget is the price of one of these courses. Choosing badly does not just waste money — it wastes the season you were saving for.
The Questions That Actually Filter Providers
| Ask | A good answer sounds like | A bad answer sounds like |
|---|---|---|
| Are you an IAMI-approved GUEST Training Provider? | "Yes — here is our listing." | "We are PYA-accredited." (Wrong: the PYA does not accredit GUEST.) |
| Which current unit numbers does this course deliver? | "Unit 34, current syllabus." | "It is the interior admin one, Unit 04 I think." |
| How is the unit assessed? | Practical assessment described in detail | Vagueness, or "everyone passes" |
| What are the prerequisites for me specifically? | They ask about your service and record book | They ask only for your card number |
| Do you handle equivalence claims (WSET, HELM)? | "We will confirm with GUEST administration." | "Sure, that will count." |
Cost and Time, Realistically
Interior training is a material personal investment, usually paid by the crew member, not the boat. Expect the following pattern rather than any specific number:
- Introduction level — several units, typically delivered over a block of days to a couple of weeks; the cheapest tier, but combined with STCW, ENG1 and Food Safety it is still a serious outlay before you have earned a euro.
- Advanced level — more units, more contact time, higher fee per unit, plus Medical First Aid and a tender ticket.
- Management level — the most expensive tier by a distance, and it stacks with Food Safety Level 3, AFF, PSCRB and Medical Care.
Prices vary by country, provider and year, so do not budget from a figure someone quoted you in a crew mess. Get current written quotes from two approved providers and compare like for like — including whether assessment and certification fees are inside or outside the headline price.
Time Is the Hidden Cost
Every course day is a day not earning, and often a day of accommodation ashore. Cluster your training: do units in the yard period or the shoulder season, book them in blocks with one provider in one location, and plan around the boat programme rather than against it.
Onboard Notes
- Never pay a deposit before you have confirmed the provider is currently IAMI-approved for the unit you want.
- Ask, in writing, what happens to your fee if you are recalled to the boat mid-course.
- xplor prepares you for these courses. It does not replace them, and it certifies nothing.