Mark Layer Qualification Requirements

Race Officials

Unlike Race Officers, Judges and Umpires, there is not yet an International Mark Layer qualification awarded by World Sailing.

All qualifications are held for four years, after which time an application for renewal must be made. Applicants must be:

members of the RYA
age 18 or over for National Mark Layer; 16 or over for RYA Mark Layer
an experienced racing sailor
an email user with internet access
UK passport holder (or have principal residence in the UK).

The table below provides a summary of the Mark Layer qualification requirements. For all qualification requirements in more detail, please view our competency document.

Requirement	Regional Mark Layer		National Mark Layer
	*Initial*	*Renewal*	*Initial*	*Renewal*
Course	RML	Or conference	NML	Or conference
	4 events as ML (at least 1 event laying gates and at least 1 event laying windward marks)		4 major events as ML (At least one major event laying gates, at least one event laying windward marks, and at least one major event where they were pin end boat on the start line) 3 major events as ML and one major event as CM (At least one major event laying gates, at least one event laying windward marks, and at least one major event where they were pin end boat on the start line)
			Active member of RMT at other events	Not required
Experience	3 events as ML & One National-Level* or WS Principal event as MLC (at least 1 event laying gates and at least 1 event laying windward marks)		ML or MLC in at least: 2 events on the sea; 2 areas of water (Solent counts as one)	Not required
	3 events as ML and one event as CM (At least one event laying gates and at least one event laying windward marks)		Worked with at least: - 2 senior race officers (NRO or IRO; - 3 course configurations one of which must have been trapezoid	Not required
References	One	Not required	2	Not required
VHF Certificate	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Powerboat Qualification	PB2	PB2	PB2	PB2
Conference	Not required	Or course	Not required	Or course
Race Officials Safeguarding Course **	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes

* A National-Level event is either a National Championship or a National Series event of a class and run by an NRO or an IRO

** see 3.2 h)

References must be from the events given on the application form.

Candidates for the National qualification are also required to show additional experience such as an ability to work as the senior mark layer, with a variety of course configurations, in waters outside of their home area and with several senior race officers. A 'major event' is deliberately not defined as there are many factors to be taken into consideration when assessing this.

The Mark Layer application and reference form can be found here.