DECK DEPARTMENT

Yachtmaster Coastal (Entry Level)
Where They Work
Yachts up to 24m, coastal navigation (up to 20 miles from a safe haven).
Duties

• Skippering yachts in coastal waters day and night in fair conditions
• Working on charter yachts
• Assistant captain on larger yachts

Mandatory Certificates
STCW Basic Safety Training (5 modules):

• Personal Survival Techniques
• Fire Prevention & Firefighting
• Elementary First Aid
• Personal Safety & Social Responsibilities
• Security Awareness

ENG1 Medical Certificate or equivalent
GMDSS Short Range Certificate (SRC)
RYA First Aid Certificate
Recommended Courses

• RYA Coastal Skipper Practical
• Powerboat Level 2
• Radar and Navigation course

Subjects to Know

• Collision Regulations (IRPCS)
• Chartwork and pilotage
• Tides and tidal streams
• Meteorology
• Safety briefings and drills

Seatime Requirements

• 30 days at sea
• 2 days as skipper
• 800 miles logged
• 12 night hours

Yachtmaster Offshore (Professional Skipper)
Where They Work
Yachts up to 24m commercially (up to 200 GT), navigation up to 150 miles from safe haven.
Duties

• Captain on charter yachts
• Delivery captain
• First officer on larger yachts

Mandatory Certificates
🔹 All Yachtmaster Coastal requirements
🔹 RYA Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate of Competence
🔹 Sea Survival Certificate
🔹 Advanced Firefighting (recommended)
Recommended Courses

• RYA Yachtmaster Offshore Prep & Exam
• Electronic Chart Systems (ECDIS)
• Diesel Engine Maintenance
• Advanced Meteorology

Subjects to Know

• Advanced passage planning
• Leadership and command
• Emergency response management
• Night navigation and pilotage
• Yacht handling in confined spaces

Seatime Requirements

• 50 days at sea
• 5 days as skipper
• 2,500 miles logged
• 5 passages over 60 miles (2 overnight, 2 as skipper)

Yachtmaster Ocean (Ocean Skipper)
Where They Work
Yachts up to 200 GT, worldwide navigation.
Duties

• Ocean passages
• Circumnavigations
• Long-distance deliveries

Requirements
🔹 Yachtmaster Offshore CoC
🔹 Celestial Navigation qualification (or pass written exam)
🔹 Qualifying ocean passage:

• 600 miles
• 200 miles more than 50 miles from land
• minimum 96 hours duration
• Must have planned and executed the passage using astro navigation

🔹 Oral exam covering ocean passage making and worldwide meteorology

4️⃣ Yachtmaster Ocean 200 (Commercial Ocean Skipper up to 200 GT)
Where They Work
Commercial yachts up to 200 GT, unlimited trading area. The most popular certificate for superyacht captains (up to 50-60 meters).
Role
Fully qualified captain for commercial operations on vessels up to 200 GT worldwide. MCA recognized professional qualification.
Requirements
🔹 Yachtmaster Offshore CoC with commercial endorsement
🔹 Qualifying ocean passage (same as Yachtmaster Ocean)
🔹 Celestial Navigation (written exam or certificate)
🔹 Verified sea service
🔹 Oral exam covering commercial aspects: MCA regulations, MGN notices, Code of Practice
Difference from Yachtmaster Ocean

• Yachtmaster Ocean — primarily a sail certificate for experienced yachtsmen
• Yachtmaster Ocean 200 — professional commercial certificate recognized by MCA, allows working as captain on commercial yachts up to 200 GT worldwide
• Requires commercial endorsement and all current STCW certificates

Additional Subjects

• Commercial vessel operations
• Maritime law for commercial vessels
• Crew management
• Budgeting and reporting
• ISM Code for small vessels

Seatime Requirements

• Minimum 50 days and 2,500 miles for Offshore
• 600-mile ocean passage
• Verified commercial practice

MCA Master (Large Yacht Captain)
Certification Levels

Master (Yachts <500 GT)

• Requirements: OOW STCW II/1, 12 months as Deck Officer with watchkeeping duties
• Role: Captain on yachts up to 500 GT, first command level

Master (Yachts <3000 GT)

• Requirements: 24 months as Deck Officer with watchkeeping while holding OOW, 12 months on vessels ≥24m OR 6 months on vessels ≥500 GT, Medical Care certificate, Master (<3000 GT) oral exam
• Role: Captain on yachts up to 3000 GT (typically 50m+)

Chief Mate / Master Unlimited

• Requirements: Y2/Y3 pathway or full unlimited route, celestial navigation, 36+ months total sea time, advanced stability, leadership & management, MCA oral exam
• Role: Captain on yachts of any size, unlimited power

Captain Level Subjects

• Navigation & Command: Advanced passage planning, Bridge Resource Management, ECDIS
• Management: Crew management, budgeting, ISM Code, SOLAS, MARPOL, flag compliance
• Safety: Advanced stability, damage control, emergency response coordination
• Legal: Maritime law, insurance, port state control, class surveys
• Technology: Integrated bridge systems, satellite communications

Average Career Timeline

• Deckhand → Yachtmaster Offshore: 2–4 years
• Yachtmaster Offshore → Yachtmaster Ocean 200: +1 year
• Yachtmaster Ocean 200 → OOW (<3000 GT): +1–2 years
• OOW → Master (<500 GT): +1–2 years
• Master (<500 GT) → Master (<3000 GT): +2–3 years
• Master (<3000 GT) → Unlimited: +2–4 years

Full path to Unlimited Captain: 8–12 years with consistent seatime and certification progression
Important Notes

• All sea service must be properly documented (MSF 4343 form)
• Training module passes are valid for 3 years (except celestial navigation: 1 year)
• Commercial endorsement requires ENG1 medical, STCW courses, and First Aid
• Yachtmaster Ocean 200 is the most practical certificate for superyacht careers
• For non-UK flag yachts, check flag state requirements
• Continuous professional development recommended: HELM, Bridge Resource Management, Environmental Management