Arnaud Peslier shares his experience training for the Master Commercial Yachting 200 GT competency certificate.

Our students talk about us

After many years in the defense and security sector, Arnaud decided to change careers and pursue a profession related to his lifelong passion: the sea. On his path to this new career, he chose to enroll in The Yachter’s Master Commercial Yachting 200 GT certification program. Today, he shares his story, his journey, and his experience with us.

Testimony of Arnaud

The Yachter : ” What was your background as a sailor before joining The Yachter? “

Arnaud: “My background as a sailor was quite classic, really.
Originally from Brittany, I’ve always been fascinated by the sea in all its forms. I practised funboarding for over 15 years, then kitesurfing for another 15 or so.

Over the years, I’ve gone out to sea more and more on friends’ boats, for weekends or longer cruises, which has given me solid sailing experience.

Then, two and a half years ago, I went to Guadeloupe for a Catamaran-Kite cruise. That was when I first realized that there was something for me to do in the nautical world.

By that time, I’d already completed 23 years’ service as a soldier with the Paris Fire Brigade (BSPP), and as a motorcycle policeman. Despite this busy career, I was itching to give it all up and retrain.

In September 2024, I organize one last sailboat cruise for police friends. The experience would prove to be the last straw for me. This time, the realization was total. With the support of my wife, my superiors and my friends, I decided to take the plunge and train as a skipper, so as to be able to work professionally in the boating industry”.

The Yachter : ” What training did you receive at The Yachter? “

Arnaud: “I took the Certificate of competence Master Commercial Yachting 200 GT.
This certification gives me the prerogatives of captain/skipper on vessels, whether sailing or motor, up to 24 meters long, with the possibility of taking on board up to 12 passengers.”

The Yachter: “What motivated your desire/need to take the Certificate of competence Master Commercial Yachting 200 GT? and why did you choose The Yachter?”

Arnaud: “What motivated me in the first place was the ease and accessibility of the training. The format offered enabled me to work every evening after work, directly from home. Being able to prepare the different modules before the exam via e-learning, without having to travel, is a considerable advantage.

Another important advantage is the duration of the course: it’s almost half the length of the classic French 200 sailing certificate. Based on my experience, I was naturally attracted by the Belgian diploma, which is recognized in France as an STCW diploma.

Not to mention the benefit of a modern website, with e-learning, and above all a dedicated, competent tutor who listens to his students.”

The Yachter: “Why did you choose The Yachter and not another training organization?”

Arnaud: “As mentioned above, simplicity and accessibility.
This course was perfect because it corresponded to my relative maritime experience, and was aimed at sailors who had already sailed.

The fact that I could get a degree in just 8 months, rather than having to follow a longer and more demanding course, far from my home and family, was a big plus for me.

Especially as, at 50, this pace and organization represented an ideal opportunity to consider a career change without upsetting my personal life.

The Yachter: “What were the three things you liked best about training at The Yachter?”

Arnaud: “What I liked most during the training was the updated website, the presence of a tutor who was available and attentive throughout the training, and the human links created during my skipper training: some of the participants even became real friends.”

The Yachter: “What would be the most important thing for you to recommend The Yachter to other sailors like yourself?”

Arnaud: “The quality of the teaching and the accessibility.”

Why choose The Yachter as your Captain?

The Yachter trains you for a Captain’s certificate, which will enable you to comply with the law.

Would you like to become a Captain and sail under the French flag ?

Get the Master Commercial Yachting 200 GT or Master Commercial Yachting 500 GT offered by The Yachter :

• STCW-compliant patents
• An e-learning course that allows you to learn while continuing your professional activity
• Fast training: in 3 to 6 months you can obtain your vocational diploma (brevet professionnel)

Do you own a boat and want to comply with maritime regulations so you can sail with peace of mind? Or perhaps you dream of becoming a professional skipper and working in the yachting industry?

Are you considering a career change in the maritime sector, or do you simply want to acquire new skills to pilot higher category boats? Whatever your ambition, The Yachter can help you succeed!

Thanks to The Yachter’s e-learning courses to become a captain, you can pass a state-recognized STCW professional certificate while managing your own schedule.

Find out more about our training courses for the Master Commercial Yachting 200 GT, 500 GT and 500 GT Unlimited captains’ exams.