A new course launched by Just ETOs Ltd is bringing certified audio-visual (AV) systems training to crew and Electro-Technical officers (ETOs). The Yacht Entertainment Systems (YES) course is a three-day event run near Amsterdam. The course serves as an overview of the most commonly encountered system components, all integrated in an adapted media demonstration room.

The AV and control systems found on today’s superyachts can be sizeable and complex and, crucially, they’re a major part of the guest experience. Typically, it is recommended for ETOs to have experience with each main system component, yet this is difficult to obtain prior to joining a yacht. Additionally, AV training is not always available directly to crew and where it is, it can be time consuming and expensive. Specific manufacturers' courses can also go beyond what crew need as they are intended for those installing and programming systems regularly.

The Just ETOs course is aimed at engineers on a yacht without an ETO that need to know more about AV, and for those crew looking to brush up. The focus is teaching the most common maintenance tasks on the most common equipment. “AV system skills are a crucial and unique requirement in the yachting sector, yet these skills are constantly in very short supply,” explains Scott Molloy, managing director of Just ETOs. “Gaining AV skills and certification is a smart move.”

During the course, attendees look at equipment from market leaders such as Crestron, with an official Crestron CTI-Technician course included on the first day. Attendees will then also get overviews of Kaleidescape, Soundweb and KNX systems.

Crestron’s workshop aims to give the attendees the knowledge required to install and service a Crestron system. Covering the basics of communication through to firmware and programme uploads, this course is targeted at engineers who need key Crestron technical skills without programming knowledge. On completion of this class, attendees will gain the Crestron Technician Certification, and have the skills and confidence to successfully install and maintain a Crestron system.

Speaking exclusively to SuperyachtNews, Daniel Kerkhof, sales manager at Crestron, believes that this type of AV training is becoming increasingly important for superyacht crew. “A superyacht could be anywhere in the world, in a remote location where specialised technicians are unable to assist crew,” he says. “Crew need to have a bit more knowledge of the systems on board so that they can solve 80 per cent of problems themselves.”

He adds that technology is constantly evolving, meaning systems are getting more complicated, so it makes sense for crew to update their knowledge from time to time.

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