US Sailing Sanctioned Hands-On Safety at Sea Seminar
SUNY Maritime College
Saturday, May 16, 2026
Safety at Sea Training Seminar May 16, 2026 | SUNY Maritime College Storm Trysail Club is proud to host its annual spring US Sailing–sanctioned Hands-On Safety at Sea Training Seminar, a full-day, immersive program designed to prepare sailors for the realities of offshore emergencies. Held at SUNY Maritime College, this highly interactive course combines classroom instruction, on-the-water training, and in-water survival exercises to deliver realistic, confidence-building experience for sailors of all levels. Building on the success of past seminars, the 2026 program places a strong emphasis on hands-on learning in essential safety skills. Participants will train in damage control, emergency communications, firefighting, flare and pyrotechnic use, storm sail handling, and the latest techniques in man-overboard (MOB) recovery. The day also includes practical water-survival training, life-raft deployment, and hypothermia mitigation—ensuring sailors don’t just learn procedures but practice them under realistic conditions. Certification Options Participants may earn one of two US Sailing–sanctioned Safety at Sea certifications, depending on prior experience and course completion: Once we receive your completed registration and seminar payment you will receive a confirmation email and ISAF traditional participants will receive important information on how to access the online course. It is highly recommended that participants review the following STC videos: Please pay special attention to the MOB sections of the videos. Additionally, please study the attached Control Grid. SASDamageControlGrid copy Another great resource is the SAS Leadership and Seamanship Report. Training Levels Level 100 – Standard Certification Level 200 – Advanced Training (Invitation Only) Storm Trysail’s Level 200 course is uniquely recognized by US Sailing as meeting recertification standards . Specialized Training Options Sailors interested in Level 200, Multihull Training, or the All-Women’s option should contact [email protected] for additional details.
Requires completion of the US Sailing Online Offshore Safety at Sea Course (Units 1–15) in advance, plus full participation in the hands-on seminar.
Available to sailors who have completed a World Sailing–recognized course within the last seven years and attend the hands-on seminar.
For sailors completing the online coursework and attending the hands-on seminar to earn the ISAF Traditional certificate.
Available to experienced sailors who have previously completed Storm Trysail hands-on training and required online modules. This advanced option includes:
Offered for the first time, tailored to crew-overboard recovery on multihulls (space limited; not available for Level 200).
Returning by popular demand, providing a supportive learning environment for female sailors.
Course Curriculum
The seminar is intentionally structured to reflect real offshore conditions:
Man-overboard recovery, emergency steering, storm sail deployment, and damage control techniques.
Sailors enter the water in foul-weather gear and inflatable PFDs to experience inflation, cold-water survival, teamwork, and life-raft boarding under expert supervision.
Practical instruction in onboard fire response, flares, and distress signaling.
Search and Rescue coordination, leadership under pressure, and best practices in offshore preparedness.
Questions?
Contact [email protected] with any questions
Schedule
0700-0745 Registration – MAC Academic Building, next to Sailing Center Coffee and bagels, lunch and afternoon coffee and snacks are provided
0745-0900 Opening Session
0900-1630 Participants will rotate between various activities including: Damage Control, Fire Fighting/Pyrotechnics, Pool/In Water Survival and On the Water MOB
1630-1745 Closing Session
What to Bring
The seminar will be an all-day affair. You will be in the classroom, in the pool and outdoors for the fire safety segment and on a boat practicing MOB. Please be prepared for all of these different environments.
We suggest you bring the following:
- Inflatable PFD - The PFD should be for offshore sailing i.e., have an integral harness, 33lb/150 newton buoyancy, etc. NOT a dinghy life jacket.
- Spare CO2 cartridge
- You will need a set of foul weather gear (jacket, pants, boots/shoes). Bring a change of clothes and bath towel because you will be going in a pool. The purpose here is to make the training realistic and give you the confidence to handle the added weight of the wet sailing gear.
- Second set of old foul weather gear or cold wather gear for on the water segmenet.
Fees
Payment is due in FULL at the time of registration. Once your registration payment has been processed, you will receive a registration confirmation email from the Storm Trysail Club. ISAF Traditional participants will also receive important information about accessing the US Sailing online course. US Sailing members get a discount on this course with the discount code found in your “My US Sailing” account under Member Coupons and benefits. The online course covers a broad range of material in depth. We are confident you will find this course quite valuable. There is an examination after each of the topics and at the end of the course. ISAF Traditional participants must successfully complete the online course at least 3 days before the date of the in-person portion of the course. If you are not in the US Sailing database as having completed the required courses, you cannot attend the hands-on day. No exceptions.
Payment is due in FULL at the time of registration. Credit Cards Accepted
Once your registration payment has been processed, you will receive a confirmation e-mail from Storm Trysail Club that will include important information about course requirements and a link to the seminar site.
Registration
