Revision: The IAMI GUEST Programme Structure — Introduction, Advanced & Management Levels

Orientation card — GUEST (Guideline for Excellence in Superyacht Training) is the interior/hospitality training programme accredited by IAMI, the International Association of Maritime Institutions. Unlike an MCA orals syllabus such as MIN 653, GUEST has no single public government document — it is delivered as a set of numbered units by IAMI-accredited private training providers (Bluewater Yachting, Seas The Day, Barcelona Crew Academy, PYTUSA and others). This card cross-references several of those providers' published course structures to build a consistent picture.

Three Assessed Levels

• Introduction level — entry-level steward(ess) units: Unit 23 (Introduction to Yachting & Yachting Life), Unit 32 (Basic Housekeeping & Laundry Services), Unit 02 (Basic Food & Beverage Service) and Unit 03 (Wine, Bartending & Mixology).
• Advanced level — for crew with roughly 12 months onboard interior experience: Unit 34 (Interior Administration & HR), Unit 05 (Advanced Food & Beverage Service), Unit 07 (Advanced Laundry Services) and Unit 09 (Advanced Valet Services).
• Management level — the Chief Steward(ess) / Head of Department pathway: Unit 21 (Accounting, Bookkeeping & Budgeting), Unit 30 (Human Resources & Crew Wellbeing), Unit 36 (Event, Destination & Interior Management), plus Unit 17 (Foundation Leadership) and Unit 22 (Advanced Leadership).

Specialist Modules (Sit Alongside, Not Instead Of)

• Unit 06 — Cigar Service
• Unit 10 — Floristry & Plant Maintenance
• Unit 11 — Barista & Hot Beverage
• Units 12 & 13 — Advanced Wine Appreciation 1 & 2
• Units 14 & 15 — Advanced Bartending & Mixology 1 & 2

What's Different From a Deck/Engine Orals Syllabus

There is no equivalent of a MIN or MSN examiners work from. Each unit is delivered and assessed by an accredited training provider against IAMI's competence framework, usually a mix of eLearning, practical assessment and a written exam. Content depth and exact wording can vary slightly between providers even for the same unit number — this card describes what is consistently reported across providers, not a single fixed government text.

Quick Self-Check

• Which three levels make up the core steward(ess) GUEST pathway?
• Name two Advanced-level units and what each one covers.
• Why can't you cite a single MIN or MSN number for GUEST content the way you would for an MCA deck orals competence?

Related Reading

• From Deckhand to Captain: The Complete Yacht Crew Career & Certificate Ladder
• How to Get Your First Yacht Job — The Honest Guide