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Yachting Australia Corporate Partner
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Yachting Australia
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RYA/YA Yachtmaster Qualification
Onboard during a Yachtmaster Offshore Examination |
RYA/YA qualifications, in particular the RYA/YA Yachtmaster Coastal, Offshore and Ocean Certificates of Competence, are recognised and respected around the world and are the ultimate aim of many skippers, both professional and recreational.
Through Yachting Australia, Australia is now one of 46 countries around the world recognised to deliver RYA Training. We are committed to ensuring that these qualifications are accepted and respected as the pinnacle of yacht training.
In practice, this means coastal and offshore passages. As any skipper will tell you, those passages close to land or across shipping lanes are the most difficult, particularly if the weather is rough or the visibility poor. A Yachtmaster needs a wealth of knowledge, not only to cope with plain sailing or motor cruising but also to be able to cope in demanding situations.
Independent examiners
Many yachtsmen and women agree that the Yachtmaster Offshore Examination is the most useful and credible of all yachting qualifications. This is perhaps because Yachtmaster Examiners are independent assessors and cannot be involved in the training of candidates. They are therefore able to be objective when assessing ability.
The RYA/YA administers Yachtmaster Certificates of Competence and examines candidates under the authority of the Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA). The exam is a combined practical and theoretical assessment of the candidate's ability to skipper a vessel. The certificates are required by commercial yacht skippers on sailing and motor vessels under 200gt and are compulsory pre-requisites for entry to Superyacht qualifications.
If your ambition is to become a RYA/YA Yachtmaster but you need to gain more experience and knowledge before taking the exam, remember that there are courses to help you. There are a number of registered training centres in Australia that deliver courses from ‘Start Yachting’ and ‘Competent Crew’ for sailors or the Helmsman's Course for motor cruising and progress through ‘Day Skipper’ or ‘Coastal Skipper’. You can enter the schemes at any stage according to your knowledge and experience. A list of current training centres is available here.
The answer is: 50 days, five days as skipper, 2,500 miles, five passages over 60 miles, including two overnight and two as skipper, and up to half of this can be done on non-tidal waters.
Statistics
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Over 2,500 RYA recognised training centres in more than 46 countries
- More than 23,000 RYA instructors around the world
- More than 20,000 professionals working on commercial vessels using RYA Certificates of Competence
- More than 175,000 people completing RYA courses every year
- Over 100 professional and recreational courses
All pre-requisites can be found in the RYA Sail Cruising Scheme Logbook (G15).
If you are happy that you meet these pre-requisites and are ready to book in for an exam, contact Yachting Australia with your details and we will connect you with an examiner. Please note that you cannot be examined by the person who has trained you or knows you personally and you cannot be re-examined by an examiner who has failed you in the past.
You will need to complete an application form for the exam and send it to Yachting Austalia with your payment attached. Exam fees for 2012 are as follows:
| Yachtmaster Coastal | $405.00 |
| Yachtmaster Offshore | $465.00 |
| Yachtmaster Ocean | $350.00 |
| Conversion (Sail to Power or Power to Sail) | $250.00 |
| Partial Re-examination | $200.00 |
This fee includes the examiner fee, certificate processing and GST. You may also be required to pay charter fees and/or travel fees.
The following information sheet may help you to organise your paperwork prior to your exam: Student Examination Checklist.
MCA Commercial and STCW Endorsements
If you wish to work in the UK, or on a red ensign flagged vessel, or in countries other than Australia with your RYA-YA Yachtmaster Coastal, Offshore or Ocean qualification, you must hold the MCA commercial endorsement. This can be issued by Yachting Australia under the authority of RYA/MCA. To apply you must provide the following:
1. Current Sea Survival
Accepted Sea Survival Certificates:
- Yachting Australia Safety and Sea Survival - valid for five years from date of issue
- RYA Basic Sea Survival (one day course)
- RYA/ISAF Sea Survival (two day course)
- STCW Survival at Sea
3. Professional Practices and Responsibilities Certificate (PPR)
This online course can be completed through any RYA Training Centre that has recognition for PPR - a list can be found here
2. Current Medical
Accepted Medical Certificates:
- AMSA 303 (Available only through AMSA recognised doctors - list available here)
- ENG1 (Available only through MCA recognised doctors - list available here)
- ML5 (Available only through MCA recognised doctors - list available here)
IMPORTANT NOTES on Medicals:
There are a limited number of registered doctors in Australia so please consult the list above. The ML5 Medical Report Form and Certificate can be issued by any UK GMC registered Doctor and is valid for 5 years. If applying for a commercial endorsement with an ENG1 or AMSA303 which both only last for 2 years, the commercial endorsement will still be issued for 5 years but it is up to the candidate to ensure the medical is kept up to date. If it expires, the commercial endorsement will not be valid. There are currently no practitioners available in NSW to administer either of these medicals so if you are travelling to either Brisbane or Melbourne, you should consider having your medical done then.
Fee:
- A certificate fee of $60.00 is charged by Yachting Australia to process your endorsement. This is payable at the time of application. Please complete the application form and submit this with your existing Yachtmaster certificate (if held) or when applying for YM examination.
Where can you work as a Yachtmaster?
Professional Qualifications
Approximately 50% of commercial superyachts around the world are ‘Red Ensign’ vessels, ie. they are registered in the UK or in UK Crown Dependencies or Overseas Territories. RYA qualifications can help you achieve professional placement aboard these. Indeed, over 20,000 professionals are currently working on commercial vessels using RYA certificates of competence. Holders of the RYA Yachtmaster® Coastal, RYA Yachtmaster® Offshore and RYA Yachtmaster® Ocean qualifications can gain an endorsement allowing them to work commercially simply by completing the requirements for commercial endorsement as outlined above.
Some non-UK marine authorities require additional qualifications for captains and crew under the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers 1995 (STCW95). Holders of commercially endorsed RYA Yachtmaster® Offshore and RYA Yachtmaster® Ocean certificates of competence can obtain an STCW endorsement if they hold the following certificates:
- STCW Personal Survival Techniques
- STCW Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities
- STCW Elementary First Aid
- STCW Fire Fighting and Fire Prevention
RYA-YA and MCA qualifications
RYA-YA and MCA (Maritime and Coastguard Agency) certificates go hand in hand. RYA certificates can be used professionally in their own right, or as a stepping stone to other MCA qualifications, as shown below.
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Commercial Qualification |
Size of Boat you will be qualified for |
Area in which you can work |
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MCA Yacht Rating Certificate |
Up to 3000gt |
Worldwide |
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RYA/YA/MCA Yachtmaster Coastal |
Up to 24m |
Up to 20m from a safe haven |
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RYA/YA/MCA Yachtmaster Offshore |
Up to 200gt |
Up to 150m from a safe haven |
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RYA/YA/MCA Yachtmaster Ocean |
Up to 200gt |
Worldwide |
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MCA Officer of the Watch |
Up to 3000gt |
Worldwide |
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MCA Chief Mate |
Up to 3000gt |
Worldwide |
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MCA Master 500 |
Up to 500gt |
Worldwide |
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MCA Master 3000 |
Up to 3000gt |
Worldwide |
British Flagged Vessels
If you are working on a British flagged vessel, the categorisation of waters and required certification below applies to you.
RYA-YA certificates can be commercially endorsed for the following areas of operation:
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Categorisation of Waters & Certificate Required
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Category 0 |
Unrestricted (ie: worldwide) RYA-YA Yachtmaster Ocean certificate of competence |
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Category 1 |
Up to 150 miles from a safe haven RYA-YA Yachtmaster Offshore certificate of competence or
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Category 2 |
Up to 60 miles from a safe haven RYA-YA Yachtmaster Offshore certificate of competence or certificate of service or
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Category 3 |
Up to 20 miles from a safe haven, in favourable weather and daylight RYA Advanced Powerboat certificate of competence* or or or |
Non British flagged vessels
If you are working on board a non-British boat, your RYA certificates are likely to be acceptable but you will need to comply with the rules of the flag state. Please contact the relevant national maritime authority for full details of their requirements.
Working in Australia - Recognition of RYA / MCA qualifications
NSW Maritime has developed new procedures for the recognition of RYA/YA Yachtmaster Certificates when also endorsed with STCW. These procedures will streamline requirements for crew with yachting qualifications to work on commercial vessels in NSW and provide improved flexibility to yacht owners and operators to obtain crew with appropriate qualifications.
Recognition as a Coxswain:
If you have a Yachtmaster Certificate (Ocean or Offshore), with an STCW commercial endorsement, issued by the Royal Yachting Association or Yachting Australia, you may apply to NSW Maritime to have your Yachtmaster Certificate recognised. Applicants will need to satisfy the following requirements:
- Complete an application for Marine Certification form which can be downloaded from the NSW Maritime website (www.maritime.nsw.gov.au) and return it to any NSW Maritime office
- Provide proof of identity (verified by an authorised signatory if the application is mailed)
- Provide a current Yachmtatser Certificate with an STCW 95 commercial endorsement
- Provide two colour passport photos with their name on the back
- Provide evidence that they hold an acceptable marine radio operator qualification, that is (MROCP), (MROVCP), (RROCP), (GMDSS)
- Pay the recognition fee which is currently $34
Applicants who meet these criteria will be issued with a Certificate of Validity Coxswain. This allows you to act as the master and/or engineer on a commercial vessel up to 12 metres in length, with a propulsion power below 250kW and operating up to 15 nautical miles from the coast. This will be issued for five years or until the expiry date of the commercial endorsement, whichever occurs first. Certificate holders that do not have an STCW endorsement must, in addition to the above requirements, complete an approved coxswain training course, meet NSW Maritime medical and eyesight standards, provide a current senior first aid certificate and pass a NSW Maritime assessment.
You may lodge an application at any NSW Maritime office or mail an application to Marine Certification, NSW Maritime, Locked Bag 5100, Camperdown, NSW 1450.
Recognition as Master Class 5-Yachtmaster with STCW endorsement:
If you have a Yachtmaster Certificate (Ocean or Offshore), with an STCW commercial endorsement, issued by the Royal Yachting Association or Yachting Australia, you may apply to NSW Maritime to have your Yachtmaster Certificate recognised as the equivalent of a Master Class 5 Restricted to Sail. This allows you to act as the master on a commercial sailing vessel up to 24 metres in length and operate up to 100 nautical miles from the coast.
What you need to do:
- Complete a NSW Maritime Application for Marine Certification form;
- Provide proof of your identity;
- Supply two colour passport photos with your name written on the back of the photos;
- Provide your original Yachtmaster Certificate with an STCW commercial endorsement (the certificate must be current, that is not have expired);
- Provide an acceptable marine radio operator qualification, that is:
- a Marine Radio Operator’s Certificate of Proficiency (MROCP)
- a Restricted Radio Operator’s Certificate of Proficiency in Radiotelephony (RROCP)
- a GMDSS General Operator’s Certificate;
- Complete the following training units from Certificate lll in Transport & Distribution (Coastal Maritime Operations):
- Apply domestic regulations and industry practices when operating a small coastal vessel (TDMMF3207C)
- Observe safety and emergency procedures on a coastal vessel (TDMMF5407A)
- Carry out refuelling and fuel transfer operations (TDMMR5407B)
- Apply weather information when navigating a small vessel within the limits of responsibility of Master 5 (TDMMH1307B)
- Operate fuel, fresh and sea water, bilge and fire pumping systems installed in a vessel (TDMMR307B), and
- Pay the recognition fee.
Applicants who have already undertaken relevant training or have relevant work experience may apply for recognition of prior learning by an approved training provider.
You may lodge an application at any NSW Maritime office or mail an application to Marine Certification, NSW Maritime, Locked Bag 5100, Camperdown NSW 1450.
A Certificate of Competency Master Class 5 Restricted to Sail in recognition of a Yachtmaster Certificate will be sent to you by registered mail. The Certificate will be issued for five years or until the expiry date of the STCW endorsement on the Yachtmaster Certificate, whichever occurs first.
Recognition as Master Class 5-Yachtmaster without STCW endorsement:
If you have a Yachtmaster Certificate (Ocean or Offshore), without an STCW commercial endorsement, you may apply to NSW Maritime to have your Yachtmaster Certificate recognised as the equivalent of a Master Class 5 Restricted to Sail. This allows you to act as the master on a commercial sailing vessel up to 24 metres in length and operate up to 100 nautical miles from the coast.
What you need to do:
- Complete a NSW Maritime Application for Marine Certification form;
- Provide proof of your identity;
- Supply two colour passport photos;
- Provide a current first aid certificate;
- Meet specific medical and eyesight standards;
- Provide your original Yachtmaster Certificate (the certificate must be current, that is not have expired);
- Provide an acceptable marine radio operator qualification, that is:
- a Marine Radio Operator’s Certificate of Proficiency (MROCP)
- a Restricted Radio Operator’s Certificate of Proficiency in Radiotelephony (RROCP)
- a GMDSS General Operator’s Certificate;
- Complete the following training units from Certificate lll in Transport & Distribution (Coastal Maritime Operations):
- Apply domestic regulations and industry practices when operating a small coastal vessel (TDMMF3207C)
- Observe safety and emergency procedures on a coastal vessel (3 out of 5 criteria) (TDMMF5407A)
- Carry out refuelling and fuel transfer operations (TDMMR5407B)
- Apply weather information when navigating a small vessel within the limits of responsibility of Master 5 (TDMMH1307B)
- Operate fuel, fresh and sea water, bilge and fire pumping systems installed in a vessel (TDMMR307B)
- Contribute to effective communications and teamwork on a coastal vessel (TDMME1107A)
- Survive at sea in the event of vessel abandonment (TDMMF1107B)
- Fight and extinguish fires on board a coastal vessel (TDMMF5507A), and
- Pay the recognition fee.
Applicants who have already undertaken relevant training or have relevant work experience may apply for recognition of prior learning by an approved training provider.
You may lodge an application at any NSW Maritime office or mail an application to Marine Certification, NSW Maritime, Locked Bag 5100, Camperdown NSW 1450.
A Certificate of Competency Master Class 5 Restricted to Sail in recognition of a Yachtmaster Certificate will be sent to you by registered mail. The Certificate will be issued for five years or until the expiry date of the Yachtmaster Certificate, whichever occurs first.
To lift the sail restriction:
Holders of Certificates of Competency Master Class 5 Restricted to Sail must complete the following training units from Certificate lll in Transport & Distribution (Coastal Maritime Operations) in order for the restriction to be removed:
- Slip vessel and maintain hull (TDMMB707B),
- Monitor condition and seaworthiness of a small vessel up to 24 metres (TDMMB4507A),
- Operate deck machinery installed on a small vessel of less than 750kW propulsion power (TDMMR1807B), and
- Perform seamanship, rigging and lifting operations onboard a small domestic vessel (TDMMR5507B).
Applicants will also need to pass a final assessment by a NSW Maritime examiner.
For further enquiries, please go to the NSW Maritime website.
