yacht qualifications

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Superyacht Training

What qualifications are required to work on a Superyacht?

So you wonder- what are the essential yacht qualifications and certifications needed to work as yacht crew? No matter whether you are the most experienced captain or a brand new yachtie, it is essential that you acquire, and maintain your yacht qualifications and certifications up to date. In order to be eligible to work at sea, there are some mandatory legal requirements:

STCW basic training, including Proficiency in Designated Security Duties (PDSD)
ENG1 medical Examination

STCW Basic Safety Training Yacht Certificate

The STCW yacht qualification is the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchingkeeping (STWC) course and it’s a compulsory requirement for any seafarer employed at sea. The STCW Basic Safety Training yacht qualification comprises five modules which take eleven days to complete. The modules are personal survival techniques, firefighting, elementary first aid, personal safety and social responsibility, and proficiency in designated security duties. Learn more about the STCW Basic Safety Training certificate here.

ENG1 SEAFARER MEDICAL CERTIFICATE

A seafarer medical certificate is mandatory for anyone hoping to get a job on a yacht. The most popular and widely recognised of the available seafarer medical certificates is the ENG1. The ENG1 Medical is a basic medical certificate and is as essential as your STCW’10. It is a mandatory requirement to prove you are fit to work as a yacht crew member at sea. Only MCA-approved doctors can perform an ENG 1 medical exam. Learn more about the ENG1 Seafarer Medical Certificate .

Once you are confident you are fit and able to work at sea, it’s time to complete your additional training in the department you feel is most appealing. Finding your first job on a super yacht is by far the most challenging part of the process, which is why we strongly suggest you look into completing additional courses in order to better your chances of being hired. We offer full career packages for the deckhands, stewardesses, chefs and engineers. While the STCW and ENG1 are the only compulsory courses that you need to complete in eligible to work at sea, there are various other courses you can complete that will greatly enhance your CV. These include deck modules like, Powerboat Level 2 , Yacht Rating certificate , Jetski licence , and Stewardess training which includes flower arranging, barista training, wine pairing and basic housekeeping skills.

While the yachting industry has many perks, it certainly isn’t for everyone. Often you are required to spend long periods away from friends and family as well as working long hours living in a shared work environment. Take a look at our article to learn the truth about yacht crew life and see if working on a yacht is really for you. Do you still have some unanswered questions? Why not download our eBook and find out all the insider tips of surviving, and preparing for yacht crew life , or contact the Get Onboard team.

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RYA/MCA Online

1. what are the basic requirements you need to be eligible to work in the yachting industry, 2. what is the stcw and why do i need it, 3. what is the eng1 medical certificate, 4. what land based experience will help me find a super yacht job, 5. what are the different departments onboard, 6. what crew training is required for me to work as a junior deckhand.

Yachtmaster/Coastal Skipper Theory
Yachtmaster/Coastal Practical
Specialist Super Yacht Training Course (Deck Hand Training Course)
RYA Power Boat Level II
RYA Personal Watercraft Course
RYA Competent Crew Certificate
RYA Day Skipper Theory and Practical Certificates
VHF Radio Operator’s License

7. What crew training is required for me to work as a junior stewardess?

Stewardess Course
Proficiency in Designated Security Duties (PDSD)
MCA Food Safety Level 2
RYA Powerboat Level 2

8. How do I book my training courses?

9. how do i get my first job on a yacht, 10. are these courses worth it, or am i just wasting my money, 11. will i get hired for my first job from south africa, 12. what is daywork, 13. what are the best locations to get a yacht job, 14. how much can a motor yacht stewardess or deckhand earn, 15. what are the negatives of working on a yacht, 16. what are the positives of working on a yacht, 17. is working on a super yacht for everyone, 18. what is the minimum age to work on a yacht, 19. is accommodation provided when i am completing my yacht training in cape town.

Certificates of Competence
RYA Yachtmaster

What is an RYA Yachtmaster?

The RYA Yachtmaster® Certificate of Competence is often the ultimate aim of aspiring skippers. It is a well known, highly respected qualification worldwide, proving your experience and competence as a skipper. Unlike other qualifications in the cruising programme, there is no formal training course to become an RYA Yachtmaster. Instead, provided you have sufficient experience, certification and seatime, you can put yourself forward for an exam to test your skills and knowledge. There are a number of RYA navigation courses that will help you prepare for your exam. Many RYA Yachtmaster candidates also choose to book themselves into an RYA training centre for some specialised exam preparation training, but this is not compulsory.

You are capable of coastal passages

You are competent to undertake passages up to 150 miles offshore

You have the knowledge and experience to sail worldwide

Arranging your exam

The Coastal and Offshore exams are practical tests afloat, and the Ocean is an oral exam. Find out more about qualifying passages, exam fees and how to book.

With an RYA Yachtmaster Coastal, Offshore or Ocean Certificate of Competence you can start a career at sea.

You'll need to have the appropriate qualification for the vessel and area of operation.

If you want to work commercially, you'll need a commercial endorsement.

Find out more about other RYA professional qualifications.

Getting the most from a Yachtmaster Fast Track course

Can you really become an RYA Yachtmaster in as little as 14 weeks? Check out our top tips for getting the most from a Yachtmaster Fast Track course...

What Qualifications Do I Need to Sail a Yacht?

Whether you’ve finally got your hands on the boat you’ve always dreamed about, or you’re doing a bit of research before a holiday, one thing you’ll need to know before you set sail is which qualifications you need. In the UK, you technically don’t need a sailing license to take your own yacht out on the water, but it’s a bit more complicated than “anyone can sail a boat”. We break down the specifics in more detail below.

What Sailing Novices Need to Know

It might seem unlikely, but in the UK, you’re not legally obliged to have any qualifications or a sailing license to sail a boat, providing you own it.

However, if you want to charter a yacht owned by a rental company, you do need a sailing qualification, and it’s generally the RYA Day Skipper that yacht companies require. So, as long as you’re sailing a boat you own, you don’t need any yachting experience or credentials to get out on the water.

Sailing Without Qualifications or Experience: What are the Risks?

Despite the lax laws, it’s ill-advised to take a yacht – even one you own – out on the water without any sailing experience, unless you’re accompanied by someone who knows the ropes. Weather conditions can change very quickly, and even the best marine navigation tools are no good to a sailor without the knowhow to understand them.

Not only is there a chance you’ll get out of your depth and damage the boat, but you could risk injuring yourself, anyone else on board, or even those around you in the water. On top of that, if you’re sailing without a boat license in the UK, and you’ve taken out sailing yacht insurance , or yacht and boat insurance , there’s a strong possibility the policy will be void – so make sure you check the terms and conditions of your cover.

What Qualifications Do I Need to Sail a Yacht?

Yachting Qualifications and Required Skills

If you want to graduate from landlubber to qualified sailor, there are a few different credentials you can look into, depending on where you’re going to sail.

As we mentioned, the RYA Day Skipper Practical course is the first requirement for a standard bareboat charter. This is available to take at different centres all over the country, but it has to take place over five days, cover 100 miles and include four night hours on a sailing yacht.

But before you can take the Practical, you’ll also need the RYA Day Skipper Theory to get your navigation and theory knowledge up to scratch.

Alternatively, you can take the International Certificate of Competence (ICC), which is also offered by the Royal Yachting Association.

Functioning almost like an international boat license, the ICC enables you to provide evidence of your experience and competence when you’re sailing in another country.

That said, the ICC may not comply with the maritime legislation of the specific country you’re planning to visit, so it’s worth checking whether it’s a valid yacht license in that location before you embark on getting the qualification.

Wherever you’re planning to go, getting the right insurance policy to cover the vessel – be it a rental or a boat you own – is always a smart move. Take a look at the extensive range of cover available from Admiral Yacht and get the peace of mind you need before you set sail.

Do I need a qualification to sail a yacht?

No, in the UK it’s completely legal to sail a boat or a yacht without a license. However, if you don’t have much yacht experience in the UK, and you’re not with someone who does – this is ill advised. Plus, you’re unlikely to be covered by your insurance policy in the event of an incident if you don’t have a boat license.

Do I need a license to sail a yacht in the UK?

No, in the UK there’s no law that states you need a license to sail a yacht. That said, some insurance providers may not cover a yacht which is sailed by someone inexperienced or unlicensed.

How do you become a yacht captain?

Yacht captain is a highly skilled paid position, and to achieve it, you’ll likely have to start at the bottom and work your way up through several different roles on ship. You’ll also be expected to have undertaken certain training courses, and get your RYA certification.

How do you get a yacht license?

Getting a boat license in the UK usually costs somewhere between £30 and £60. But before you can get your license, you need to pass an exam set by the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) which tests you on both practical and theoretical matters.

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