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16
Jul
2025
Whether you’re out sailing, boating, or simply enjoying life on the water, accidents and medical emergencies can happen unexpectedly. The RYA First Aid Course equips you with vital skills to respond effectively when it matters most. What is the RYA First Aid Course? The RYA First Aid Course is a practical training program tailored specifically for people involved in boating and water sports. It focuses on first-aid scenarios you’re most likely to encounter at sea or on inland waterways, including injuries, seasickness, hypothermia, and more. This course is also a prerequisite for taking your Yachtmaster practical exam. Top Benefits of…
16
Jul
2025
Understanding the RYA VHF Course and Exam : A Quick Guide
If you plan to take to the water on a boat or yacht, effective communication is crucial for safety and navigation. The RYA VHF Course is designed to give you the knowledge and skills to use VHF marine radios confidently and correctly. What is the RYA VHF Course? The RYA VHF (Very High Frequency) Radio Course is a one-day training program which can be completed online, focused on teaching the essentials of marine radio operation. It covers the legal requirements, practical skills, and emergency procedures related to using a VHF radio on recreational vessels. This course is widely recognised in…
30
Jun
2023

What course suits me best to start with? Differences between PER and Day Skipper
In this article, we will see the differences between the national nautical title called PER (Patrón de Embarcaciones de Recreo) and the English international license of the RYA (Royal Yacht Association), Day Skipper. Choosing one or the other will depend on what you want to use the title for. With both certificates, you will be able to hire ships in Mediterranean countries; the main difference is whether you want to buy one, as your nationality must be in accordance with the flag of the ship you want to have. If you are Spanish and want to buy a ship with…
10
May
2023

What would you carry in your emergency bag?
It is always essential to carry a survival bag when you are planning a long cruise or an ocean crossing, as you never know what kind of emergencies may arise, but what should you bring? If the worst happens and you have to abandon the ship, the items in the emergency bag will help you survive in the raft until you are rescued, so it should contain items that will help you to be rescued. If you do not have a life raft, your chances of survival decrease depending on your location, weather conditions and water temperature. It should be…
18
Apr
2023

About the RYA
What is the RYA? The Royal Yachting Association, also known as the RYA, is the UK body for sailing, yachting and motor yachts, all forms of yacht racing, RIBs and sports boats, windsurfing and jet skis and a leading representative for inland waterway cruising. It works in partnership with governments and official organisations and is the competent body for issuing certificates to yachtsmen appointed by the UK government through the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA). What are the origins of the RYA? It was founded in November 1875 under the name of the Yacht Racing Association (YRA). It began as…
20
Mar
2023

Disproving the Yachtmaster Ocean
Many of our students ask us the same question: Will the Ocean be validated if I have the Yacht Captain? In this article, we want to clarify this and other doubts you may have about this qualification. First of all, what is the Yachtmaster Ocean? It is the highest certificate of the Royal Yachting Association, ideal for those who are preparing for an ocean passage. PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE For this course, you must have previous experience and knowledge, which includes: To be in the position of Yachtmaster Offshore. In the case of not having it, you will be able…
22
Jun
2022

Process the Commercial Endorsement
In this article, we want to outline the necessary steps to process the Commercial Endorsement of an RYA qualification, which would be to move from a recreational title to a professional one. What the RYA says: What is a commercial endorsement? A commercial endorsement is required for work on board British-flagged vessels subject to the MCA’s codes of practice for small commercial vessels. A number of additional training courses and medical fitness certificates are required to be eligible for a commercial endorsement. Which certificates can be commercially endorsed? The following certificates may request a commercial endorsement: Course completion certificates: RYA…
10
Jun
2022

What is the Master 200 and how is it reached?
The Master 200 qualification is the next level after Yachtmaster (Offshore or Ocean). If you took the M200 (limited) as only a YM Offshore, it is a simple stamp to add the Ocean later and become an M200 (unlimited). There are two options for the Master 200. The preparation for both is the same, depending on your experience and knowledge: The Master 200 (limited) can operate up to 150NM from a safe haven The full Master 200 (unlimited) qualification allows you to operate globally. Important: some countries don’t recognise these certificates. Benefits: Outside the UK, the Master 200 is more recognised…
28
Dec
2021

Do I need to do an invigilated RYA theory exam?
The RYA online courses do not have an invigilated exam; it is included with the Shorebased course we organise in our centre. The invigilated exam is not compulsory, but there are a few exceptions that we are going to explain: INVIGILATION FOR DAY SKIPPER THEORYThe RYA Day Skipper Shorebased course has 2 assessment papers.The invigilated exam is optional and not required. INVIGILATION FOR YACHTMASTER OFFSHOREThe RYA Yachtmaster Offshore Shorebased Course has 4 assessment papers.The invigilated exam is optional and not required.However, to enter the MCA large yacht qualifications (Officer of the Watch or Master 200), the 4 assessment papers must be invigilated. INVIGILATION FOR OCEAN YACHTMASTERThe RYA Ocean Yachtmaster Shorebased Course has 1…
15
Dec
2021

,Day Skipper
We will explain what the Day Skipper course consists of and why we recommend it to everyone who has started in the world of Nautical. The English rating of the Royal Yacht Association (RYA) of Day Skipper is what would be equivalent to the PER. Prerequisites: 5 days of experience prior to the course. A level of PER theory. Be over 16 years old. In case we do not have these prerequisites, we would have to start with the Competent Crew. The Day Skipper Workshop consists of 5 days on board a sailboat with a maximum of 5 students, staying at least 2 nights in…