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RYA Day Skipper
Find out more about working commercially with an RYA Day Skipper certificate
RYA Day Skipper
If you need a Day Skipper certificate in order to work on board a commercial craft subject the MCA's codes of practice, you will need to get it commercially endorsed. You can then work on commercial vessels up to 24m in length, operating in category 5 and 6 waters - that is up to 20 miles from a nominated departure point in fine weather and daylight.
To be eligible to commercially endorse Day Skipper you will need to have completed and passed the RYA Day Skipper Shorebased course with an invigilated exam and the RYA Day Skipper practical course.
The Day Skipper theory course
The Day Skipper theory course is delivered either as an online course, or in a classroom, the minimum duration of the course is 40 hours plus the theory exam. No matter how the course is delivered the theory exam must be invigilated at an RYA training centre. To attended the course some practical experience is desirable.
The Day Skipper practical course
RYA Day Skipper practical courses can be taken in either sail or motor yachts and your certificate will be endorsed accordingly.
This is very much a hands-on course with little time to teach navigation or other theoretical subjects. During the practical course you will be tested on elements of the theory during the course.
Where can you work
Our section 'Where you can work with RYA qualifications' has further information on the categorisation of waters.
