Where can you work with RYA qualifications?
British flagged vessels
If you are working on a British flagged boat, the categorisation of waters and required certification below applies to you.
Please note: If your medical fitness certificate has a restriction you may not be able to hold a commercial endorsement. If you are considering a seagoing career the RYA and Maritime and Coastguard Agency strongly advise that you undergo a medical or sight test, which includes testing of colour and visual acuity, before starting training. Restrictions on a ENG1 certificate will prevent you gaining STCW qualifications for vessels greater than 24m in length.
RYA certificates can be commercially endorsed for the following areas of operation:
| Category 0 | Unrestricted (ie: worldwide) |
|---|---|
| Certificate required | RYA Yachtmaster Ocean certificate of competence |
| Category 1 | Up to 150 miles from a safe haven |
|---|---|
| Certificate required | RYA Yachtmaster Offshore certificate of competence |
| Category 2 | Up to 60 miles from a safe haven |
|---|---|
| Certificate required | RYA Yachtmaster Offshore certificate of competence |
| Category 3 | Up to 20 miles from a safe haven |
|---|---|
| Certificate required | RYA Advanced Powerboat certificate of competence, RYA Yachtmaster Coastal certificate of competence, RYA Yachtmaster Offshore certificate of competence, or RYA Yachtmaster Ocean certificate of competence |
| Category 4 | Up to 20 miles from a safe haven, in favourable weather and daylight |
|---|---|
| Certificate required | RYA Advanced Powerboat certificate of competence, RYA Yachtmaster Coastal certificate of competence, RYA Yachtmaster Offshore certificate of competence, or RYA Yachtmaster Ocean certificate of competence |
| Category 5 | To sea, within 20 miles from a nominated departure point in favourable weather and daylight |
|---|---|
| Certificate required | RYA Day Skipper practical and shorebased certificate, RYA Advanced Powerboat certificate of competence, RYA Yachtmaster Coastal certificate of competence, RYA Yachtmaster Offshore certificate of competence, or RYA Yachtmaster Ocean certificate of competence |
| Category 6 |
To sea, within 3 miles from a nominated departure point(S) and never more than 3 miles from land, in |
|---|---|
| Certificate required | RYA Powerboat Level 2, RYA Day Skipper practical and shorebased certificate, RYA Advanced Powerboat certificate of competence, RYA Yachtmaster Coastal certificate of competence, RYA Yachtmaster Offshore certificate of competence |
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 maritime authority for full details of their requirements.
RYA Yachtmaster Certificates of Competence
For more information about where you can work with an RYA Yachtmaster Certificate of Competence click here.