Theory courses for future offshore skippers with Manuel Baur
Your course to freedom: Safe and prepared for the high seas ⛵️
Sailing is pure freedom and an incomparable experience! But the sea is unpredictable and requires thorough preparation. Only with the right equipment can you enjoy the beauty of the ocean and return relaxed.
⚓ Experience that gets you to your destination
As an experienced skipper, I have completed and led numerous trips in areas such as Greece, Croatia, and the challenging tidal waters of Brittany. This practical experience is the foundation that I pass on to you.
For years, I worked throughout Switzerland as a lecturer for offshore sailing theory – including at Tommy Bieri. During this time, I was able to lead many sailors to success by preparing them optimally for the exam.
Your customized path to a high seas license 🎯
This conviction and experience have resulted in three customized course models that will prepare you optimally for your adventure.
Before booking, I recommend a personal consultation to find the best solution for you – tailored to your schedule and your individual goals!
What could be better than boundless freedom on the sea?
Are you ready to conquer the horizon? Your adventure awaits.
CHF 494.00
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Private remote coaching for 6 hours (can be split into 2 x 3 hours)
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Course materials will be sent in PDF format
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Test exam covering chart and tidal tasks
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Free support (online) for up to 2 months after the course
Click on the button to receive further information.
Swiss Certificate of Competence for Ocean Yachting
Your way to the Swiss offshore licence: the most important steps
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Minimum age 16 years.
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Valid inland boat licence (cat. D for sailing, cat. A for motor).
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Theory course and passed theory exam (valid for 24 months)
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Practical experience at sea (nautical miles):
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Sailing: at least 1,000 nautical miles and 18 days at sea (of which at least 700 nautical miles must be after the theory exam).
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Motor: at least 500 nautical miles and 10 days at sea (of which at least 400 nautical miles must be after the theory exam).
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Nautical miles must be documented and confirmed in the logbook and must not be older than 4 years.
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Valid first aid certificate (not older than 6 years).
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Medical confirmation of vision and hearing (not older than 1 year).
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Complete application to a recognised examination centre (CCS or SYA) within 5 years of the theory exam.
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Payment of fees.
Your personal path to obtaining a high seas licence: Benefit from private face-to-face lessons that are flexibly tailored to your needs – with friends if you wish.
State-of-the-art learning methods: Our course offers you high-quality teaching materials with step-by-step instructions and detailed explanations, ideal for self-study.
Learn from an experienced instructor and skipper, I have structured the content so that it builds on itself and is easy to understand.
Convenient and flexible learning: Complete your offshore training from the comfort of your own home thanks to our remote training via Google Meet or personal private lessons at your location – our course adapts to your lifestyle.
Pass your exam with confidence: With exam simulations and a guarantee of success, we will prepare you optimally for the Swiss offshore licence.
Course overview for the Swiss offshore license
🎓 Your path to a Swiss offshore license: a theory course that gets you where you want to be! ⛵
This comprehensive course provides you with the best possible preparation for the Swiss offshore license theory exam. We teach you the essential skills you need to navigate safely and independently on the high seas.
🗺️ Fundamentals of navigation – your mental compass
Basics: Immerse yourself in the Earth's grid system and make the nautical chart your most important tool.
Calculating & planning: Learn how to determine positions, calculate distance, time and speed, and measure and plot courses reliably. Course conversion forms a solid basis for your calculations.
⚓ Terrestrial navigation – eyes on the water
Orientation: Understand the importance of beacons and navigation marks for coastal navigation.
Positioning: Learn how to take and calculate bearings. We will also show you how to interpret depth measurements correctly.
🌊 Navigation with currents & wind – Mastering the forces
Understanding influences: Understand the direct effects of currents and wind on your boat.
Determining your course precisely: We will show you how to determine the current and calculate your exact course using current triangles. The topic of wind is also covered in detail so that you can always navigate efficiently.
⬆️⬇️ Tides – The heart of ocean navigation in tidal waters
Understanding: Master tide calculations by correctly interpreting the origin and rhythm of the tides.
Practice: Learn how to calculate at reference and connection points and practice typical tide tasks in detail.
✅ Exam success & outlook
Targeted preparation: Practice with sample exams on chart and tidal tasks, including detailed solutions.
Ready for the sea: We give you all the important information about the offshore license exam as well as an exciting outlook on your future offshore trips with Tommy Bieri, the tidal expert from Brittany!
Customized courses for offshore sailing licenses – quality you can rely on
Your free download!
Training courses for offshore theory – personal, pragmatic and customised to your needs
Remote training, 6 hours, incl. test exam
CHF 494.00
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Private remote coaching for 6 hours (can be split into 2 x 3 hours)
-
Course materials will be sent in PDF format
-
Test exam covering chart and tidal tasks
-
Free support (online) for up to 2 months after the course
Click on the button to receive further information.
Private training 10 hours incl. test exam
CHF 995.00
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Private F2F coaching for 10 hours (divided into 2 x 5 hours)
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Course materials sent in PDF format
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Test exam covering chart and tidal tasks
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Free travel (within Switzerland)
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Free support (online) for up to 2 months after the course
Click on the button to go to the product page.
Offshore sailing trips with Tommy Bieri
⛵ Meet your skipper
Tommy Bieri (born 1982) is your passionate Swiss skipper 🇨🇭 with deep roots in water sports! From dinghies to European coasts – he has conquered the seas and particularly loves the challenging tidal waters of Brittany and the idyllic Stockholm archipelago 🗺️.
⚓ Tommy's skipper philosophy
Safety is his top priority – always with forward planning. He is calm, level-headed, and an open sailing instructor who shares his knowledge and actively involves the crew. For him, sailing is teamwork, personal growth, and a deep respect for nature 🌱.
✨ Your sailing adventure
Whether you want to deepen your skills in a coaching trip or simply relax on a sailing trip, Tommy's mission is to share his passion for sailing.
Come aboard and experience an extraordinary time on the water – safe, sustainable, and unforgettable! 🌊
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Contact & Social Media
Explore! Challenging tidal maneuvers and idyllic anchorages.
🧭 Your Swiss expert for the high seas
Experience the fascination of sailing with Tommy Bieri, your experienced Swiss skipper! 🇨🇭 With decades of passion for the water and special expertise in the challenging tidal waters of Brittany, he will take you safely and confidently to your destination.
✅ Safety, knowledge, and skipper philosophy
Tommy attaches great importance to safety and imparts his in-depth knowledge as a calm, communicative teacher. For him, sailing is more than just a sport—it is a way of life that values teamwork and a connection with nature.
Start your adventure
Ready for unforgettable sailing trips? Benefit from Tommy's experience and broaden your sailing horizons! ⛵️
Fundamental knowledge, conveyed in a relaxed manner: Deep-sea cruises with Tommy Bieri
Training and mileage cruises in Brittany
CHF 1,790.00
📅 Trip details
Start: Fri, July 17, 2026, 5:00 p.m. | End: Fri, July 24, 2026, 2:00 p.m. Port: Porte des Sablons, St. Malo.
⛵ The boat
Robust, expedition-ready Alubat Ovni 455 with lifting keel, modern navigation (AIS, radar) and storm jib. Ideal for long, safe trips.
The ideal training & mileage trip
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Certified management: Experienced skipper with all licenses and training qualifications.
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Official mileage confirmation: Recognized documentation of your sailed nautical miles and days at sea.
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Important learning content: Targeted training in tides, navigation, meteorology, beacons, and safety maneuvers.
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Active practice: Full involvement in route planning, watch systems, docking/undocking, and ship technology.
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Collect nautical miles: Opportunity to achieve part of the required 1000nm/18 days (sailing) or 500nm/10 days (motorboat).
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High safety: Comprehensive safety briefings and emergency procedures.
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Challenging area: Ideal for training purposes in a tidal area.
Tidal expedition in Brittany
CHF 1,790.00
📅 Trip details
Start: Fri, July 24, 2026 (5:00 p.m.) – End: Fri, July 31, 2026 (2:00 p.m.). Port of departure/arrival: Porte des Sablons, St. Malo.
⛵ Expedition-ready vessel
We will be sailing on the robust Alubat Ovni 455 (aluminum boat). With a lifting keel, modern navigation (radar), and storm jib, the vessel is ideally suited for safe, demanding long voyages and challenging tidal waters.
Focus: Intensive tidal training
This trip focuses on the practical understanding and precise calculation of tides and currents under real conditions. It is a training course in the most demanding waters in Europe.
Certified training
The trip is led by an experienced tidal skipper who has extensive knowledge of tidal waters. The training includes targeted exercises in complex navigation and demanding chart work.
Practice, miles & licenses
You will be fully involved in route planning, watch systems, and all maneuvers. The nautical miles sailed and days at sea are guaranteed and officially confirmed for the Swiss offshore sailing license.
Comprehensive safety
Throughout the trip, the highest priority is given to a high standard of safety. This includes detailed safety briefings, emergency procedures, and the safe handling of equipment.
Training cruises in the Stockholm archipelago
CHF 1,790.00
📅 Trip dates
Week 1:
Sat, June 27, 2026 (5:00 p.m.) – Sat, July 4, 2026 (9:00 a.m.). Route: Gustavsberg to Vasa Hamn (Stockholm City).
Week 2:
Sat, July 4, 2026 (9:00 a.m.) – Sat, July 11, 2026 (9:00 a.m.). Route: Vasa Hamn to Gustavsberg.
⛵ The training ship
The Nauticat 43 ketch (deck saloon yacht) is ideal for northern latitudes. It offers a 360° panoramic view from the saloon, three cabins, and seven berths.
Certified instruction
You will sail under the guidance of an experienced skipper/instructor with all the necessary licenses. This guarantees competent and safe training at the highest level.
Official documentation
You will receive official confirmation of all miles sailed and days at sea. This is essential for the offshore sailing license.
Important learning content
Focus on targeted training in seamanship skills: navigation, meteorology, beacons, and mastering safety maneuvers (e.g., man overboard).
Active practical training
You will be actively involved in route planning, watch systems, ship technology, and training in all docking and undocking maneuvers.
Safety & support
Your safety is our top priority. This is ensured through comprehensive safety briefings and emergency procedures. You will also benefit from a transparent trip plan and individual support from the skipper.
Your guide to the Swiss offshore licence: reliable, customised, memorable
Do you dream of the freedom of the seas? We offer the perfect training to become a confident skipper.
Our theory courses for the Swiss offshore licence will prepare you perfectly. Under the guidance of experienced lecturer Manuel Baur, you will benefit from sound, practical knowledge. Choose your individual course model: personal face-to-face lessons at your home or flexible remote training via Google Meet. With high-quality materials, step-by-step instructions and exam simulations, we guarantee your success. You will learn everything from the basics of navigation to tide and current calculations and electronic navigation with ‘TimeZero’.
In addition, we offer ocean cruises with Tommy Bieri, a passionate Swiss skipper who lives and breathes safety, teamwork and sustainability. Experience adventure on well-maintained Ovni aluminium boats, mostly in the fascinating tidal waters of Brittany, in small groups of 3 to a maximum of 8 people. We value respectful coexistence: separate cabins for women and men.
Ready to make your sailing dreams come true? Contact us for a no-obligation chat and find your ideal offshore training course!
