STCW Training in the Netherlands (Holland) — What Yacht Crew Need to Know

STCW Training in the Netherlands is the first step every aspiring yacht crew member needs to take. Without it, you
cannot legally work on any commercial vessel over 24 metres — no matter where you are based in Holland or the
Netherlands.

This guide covers exactly where Dutch crew do their STCW, what it costs, and the fastest route to your first yacht
job — written by our training team who have worked on 50m–100m superyachts.

Netherlands or Holland — Does It Matter for STCW?

Both terms refer to the same country. Holland is the common name used internationally; the Netherlands is the
official name. For STCW purposes they are identical — the same certificates are valid, the same IMO standards
apply.

If you are searching for “STCW Holland” or “STCW Netherlands” you are looking for the same thing.

Where Do Dutch Crew Actually Do Their STCW?

There are very few MCA-approved STCW providers based inside the Netherlands. Most Dutch crew travel abroad to
complete their training — the two most common destinations are:

• Croatia — popular in summer, combines training with being in a yachting hub
• United Kingdom — Southampton and other centres year-round

We run STCW Basic Safety in Croatia with MCA-approved certification accepted worldwide. Most of our Dutch students
complete the full course in 5 days and have their certificate within 2 weeks.

Why Croatian STCW Works for Dutch Crew

Croatia is a 2-hour flight from Amsterdam. Our training centre is based in Split — one of the busiest superyacht
locations in the Mediterranean. Many students find work directly from there after completing STCW.

Drazen, our Chief Officer instructor with 10 years on 100m superyachts, runs the deck and safety modules. Our
Chief Stewardess instructors — Antonija, Ivana, and Charlie — cover interior, service, and hospitality.

What Does STCW Basic Safety Include?

STCW Basic Safety (also called STCW Basic Safety Training or BST) consists of 4 mandatory modules:

• Personal Survival Techniques — how to survive if a vessel sinks
• Fire Prevention and Firefighting — practical firefighting drills
• Elementary First Aid — CPR, injuries, medical emergencies at sea
• Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities — safety culture on board

All 4 modules must be completed to receive your STCW Basic Safety certificate. It is valid for 5 years.

Do You Need Anything Else Besides STCW?

STCW gets you on board. To stay competitive and find work faster, Dutch crew typically also get:

• ENG1 Medical Certificate — required before you can join any vessel. Full ENG1 guide here
• Yacht CV — how you present yourself matters more than most people realise. Free yacht CV template
• Crew agency registration — best yacht crew agencies to
  register with immediately after STCW

If you want to work as a stewardess, read our complete stewardess
guide. For deckhand, see our deckhand job guide.

How Long Does It Take to Get a Yacht Job from the Netherlands?

Based on students we train every month, here is the realistic timeline:

• Week 1–2: Complete STCW in Croatia or UK
• Week 2–3: Get ENG1 medical, register with agencies, build yacht CV
• Week 3–8: Dockwalk in Palma, Antibes, or Split — or apply online
• Most students: First paid position within 6–12 weeks of completing STCW

The students who get jobs fastest are the ones who go directly to a yachting hub after training rather than
returning home. Our dockwalking guide covers exactly how to do this.

STCW Training Costs for Dutch Crew

Costs vary depending on where you train:

• STCW in Croatia with Yachtiecareers: from €849
• STCW in the UK: typically £600–£900
• STCW inside the Netherlands: limited providers, often more expensive

Most Dutch crew find training in Croatia cheaper overall when you factor in accommodation — we offer crew hostel
packages that keep costs down.

Common Mistakes Dutch Crew Make

After training hundreds of students from across Europe, these are the mistakes we see most from Netherlands-based
crew:

• Waiting until summer — the best deckhand and stewardess positions fill up by April. Book STCW in
  January or February.
• Not getting ENG1 first — some students complete STCW then discover a medical issue delays their
  ENG1. Do the medical first.
• Returning home after training — the students who stay in a yachting hub find work in weeks. The
  ones who go home wait months.
• Skipping crew agencies — register with at least 3 agencies the same week you receive your STCW
  certificate.

What Our Dutch Students Say

We train 20+ students every month across Europe. Read verified reviews from past students on our reviews page.

Ready to Book STCW from the Netherlands?

If you are based in the Netherlands or Holland and ready to start:

• Superyacht Deckhand Training — full package
• Superyacht Stewardess Training — full package
• STCW Basic Safety — what’s included

Questions before booking? Contact us — our team responds within 24 hours. Written by the Yachtiecareers crew training team — Drazen, Suda, Ivana, Charlie, and Antonija — based on training 20+ students per month across Europe.