Note: Skippers wishing to attain commercial endorsements should note that this information serves as a guide. However, it is important to emphasize that this list is not exhaustive; hence, there may be other qualifications that could also meet the criteria for commercial endorsements.
The limit for vessels is 24 meters, and their gross tonnage (GT) must not exceed 200, except for those holding a Yachtmaster Offshore qualification with additional endorsements. Skippers seeking commercial endorsements will face a 24-meter restriction, except for PB2, where vessels are limited to 10 meters or less.
Furthermore, those with previous boating experience can opt for a direct assessment to attain Level 2.
Level: Powerboat Level 2
Entitles you to: Take a suitably coded vessel up to 3 miles from a nominated point of departure in favourable weather and daylight under MGN280 but not under the workboat code.
Requirements:
- RYA Powerboat Level 2 certificate
- Short Range Certificate (VHF SRC)
- Suitable First Aid Certificate
- Sea Survival Certificate (RYA or STCW 78)
- Professional Practices and Responsibilities
- ML5 or ENG1 Medical (Issued by a doctor)
Level: Day Skipper
Entitles you to: Take a suitably coded vessel up to 20 miles from a nominated point of departure in favourable weather and daylight under MGN280 and the workboat code.
Requirements:
- RYA Day Skipper Theory
- RYA Day Skipper Practical (Power or Sail)
- Short Range Certificate (VHF SRC)
- Suitable First Aid Certificate
- Sea Survival Certificate (RYA or STCW 78)
- Professional Practices and Responsibilities
- ML5 or ENG1 Medical (Issued by a doctor)
Level: Advanced Powerboat
Entitles you to: Take a suitably coded vessel up to 20 miles from a safe haven under both MGN280 and the workboat code. Note the workboat code requires some additional qualifications.
Requirements:
- Advanced Powerboat Course
- Advanced Powerboat Certificate of Competence
- Short Range Certificate (VHF SRC)
- Suitable First Aid Certificate
- Sea Survival Certificate (RYA or STCW 78)
- Professional Practices and Responsibilities
- ML5 or ENG1 Medical (Issued by a doctor)
- Knowledge to Yachtmaster theory level
- 30 days on board, 2 days as skipper, 800 miles, 12 night hours (No Advanced PB course)
- 20 days, 2 days as skipper, 400 miles, 12 night hours (With Advanced PB course)
Level: Yachtmaster Offshore
Entitles you to: Take a suitably coded vessel up to 150 miles from a safe haven. To earn the Certificate of Competence, candidates can choose between power or sail, each requiring a separate examination.
Requirements:
- Yachtmaster Offshore Theory
- Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate of Competence (Power or Sail)
- 50 days, 2,500 miles including at least 5 passages over 60 miles, 2 passages as skipper, 2 overnight passages
- Short Range Certificate (VHF SRC)
- Suitable First Aid Certificate
- ENG1 Medical (ML5 acceptable if willing to be limited to 60 nm)
- Professional Practices and Responsibilities
- Sea Survival Certificate (RYA or STCW 78)
For STCW Endorsement:
- STCW Personal Survival Techniques *
- STCW Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities *
- STCW Elementary First Aid *
- STCW Fire prevention and Fire Fighting *
If you hold all four elements of the STCW Basic Safety training modules listed above then you can apply for the STCW Master 200 endorsement. Your certificate of competence will then be endorsed with the term “Master of Yachts 200GT”. With the STCW endorsement, your qualification will allow you to skipper a UK-registered vessel up to 200GT, which could be larger than 24m.
* Candidates must have completed these requirements within the past 5 years, or they must have taken a refresher course.
Qualifications for workboats
Below, we have outlined the additional qualifications required when operating under the workboat code:
Vessels less than 15m
- 1 Day Fire fighting course
- MCA Radar course if a RADAR is fitted
- MCA Stability Course (when required)
Vessels greater than 15m
- 3 Day Fire Fighting course
- MCA Small Ships Navigation & Radar (or ECDIS if fitted)
- MCA Stability Course (when required)