8 June 2025 
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Seven Seas Preparatory Academy is a maritime training provider with a blended-learning approach, offering yacht crew training and STCW certification across multiple U.S. locations, including Orlando, Fort Lauderdale, Cape Canaveral, and Fairfield (Connecticut). Established by maritime industry professionals, the academy is recognized for delivering practical, career-focused education tailored to meet the dynamic requirements of crewed yacht operations.
The academy was founded by Marcus Cheesman, whose maritime career began in 1987 at the UK’s Trinity House Nautical School. He progressed through roles including deck cadet with P&O Cruises, held senior training positions at Princess Cruises and Disney Cruise Line, and earned his unlimited Master Mariner’s license in 2002. Marcus’s vision was to create accessible, flexible, and industry-relevant training for aspiring yacht crew. He is joined by co‑founder Laura Karklina, whose background in entertainment informs the academy’s interior crew and hospitality training, alongside senior instructors like Captain Wendy Umla, Master Mariner and superyacht captain, Scott James, former Chief Mate of the “Empire State VI,” and Brian Dennison, a veteran fire training and emergency response instructor.
Course offerings at Seven Seas begin with introductory three-day programs for both deckhand and interior crew roles, each costing approximately $800. The deckhand course covers seamanship basics, terminology, watchkeeping, and simulator-based training in navigation, collision regulations, anchoring, and emergency protocols. The interior training program focuses on yacht hospitality, etiquette, table service, housekeeping, bar skills, and resume and recruitment guidance. For those seeking comprehensive skill-building, Yachting X-Training combines both deck and interior courses into a unified three-day experience.
Seven Seas stands out with its STCW Basic Safety Training blended model: online theory followed by two days of practical drills in firefighting, personal survival techniques, first aid, and personal safety. Students can enhance credentials with Security Awareness and VPDSD certifications, and pursue advanced STCW endorsements such as Navigational Watch Rating over four days.
The academy’s blended delivery format was deliberately chosen by Marcus Cheesman to accommodate busy lifestyles while maintaining compliance with evolving industry standards. This flexibility – combining e-learning with face-to-face training – has supported rapid growth since the academy’s 2018 launch, following 400% expansion in its initial year.
Over the years, Seven Seas has also developed specialised content, like cruise ship safety training, crowd and crisis management, and tailored programs for entertainment and hospitality staff aboard vessels. Their platform integrates online modules, instructor-led sessions, and simulator-based evaluations to support student assessment and certification.
Seven Seas Preparatory Academy maintains a central office in Orlando and satellite facilities in key U.S. maritime hubs. Its credentialing includes USCG and MCA – recognized courses, making it suitable for crew employment worldwide.
Description
Seven Seas Preparatory Academy is a maritime training provider with a blended-learning approach, offering yacht crew training and STCW certification across multiple U.S. locations, including Orlando, Fort Lauderdale, Cape Canaveral, and Fairfield (Connecticut). Established by maritime industry professionals, the academy is recognized for delivering practical, career-focused education tailored to meet the dynamic requirements of crewed yacht operations.
The academy was founded by Marcus Cheesman, whose maritime career began in 1987 at the UK’s Trinity House Nautical School. He progressed through roles including deck cadet with P&O Cruises, held senior training positions at Princess Cruises and Disney Cruise Line, and earned his unlimited Master Mariner’s license in 2002. Marcus’s vision was to create accessible, flexible, and industry-relevant training for aspiring yacht crew. He is joined by co‑founder Laura Karklina, whose background in entertainment informs the academy’s interior crew and hospitality training, alongside senior instructors like Captain Wendy Umla, Master Mariner and superyacht captain, Scott James, former Chief Mate of the “Empire State VI,” and Brian Dennison, a veteran fire training and emergency response instructor.
Course offerings at Seven Seas begin with introductory three-day programs for both deckhand and interior crew roles, each costing approximately $800. The deckhand course covers seamanship basics, terminology, watchkeeping, and simulator-based training in navigation, collision regulations, anchoring, and emergency protocols. The interior training program focuses on yacht hospitality, etiquette, table service, housekeeping, bar skills, and resume and recruitment guidance. For those seeking comprehensive skill-building, Yachting X-Training combines both deck and interior courses into a unified three-day experience.
Seven Seas stands out with its STCW Basic Safety Training blended model: online theory followed by two days of practical drills in firefighting, personal survival techniques, first aid, and personal safety. Students can enhance credentials with Security Awareness and VPDSD certifications, and pursue advanced STCW endorsements such as Navigational Watch Rating over four days.
The academy’s blended delivery format was deliberately chosen by Marcus Cheesman to accommodate busy lifestyles while maintaining compliance with evolving industry standards. This flexibility – combining e-learning with face-to-face training – has supported rapid growth since the academy’s 2018 launch, following 400% expansion in its initial year.
Over the years, Seven Seas has also developed specialised content, like cruise ship safety training, crowd and crisis management, and tailored programs for entertainment and hospitality staff aboard vessels. Their platform integrates online modules, instructor-led sessions, and simulator-based evaluations to support student assessment and certification.
Seven Seas Preparatory Academy maintains a central office in Orlando and satellite facilities in key U.S. maritime hubs. Its credentialing includes USCG and MCA – recognized courses, making it suitable for crew employment worldwide.
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