Category: RYA Blog

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…

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…

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…

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 To take this course, you must already hold the Yachtmaster Offshore certificate. If you do not yet have it, you may complete the theoretical course, but you cannot take the oral exam until the Offshore qualification is obtained. Before the oral exam, you must have completed a voyage on a vessel of up to 500 GT, covering at least 600 nautical miles, including 200 miles more than 50 miles from land…

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…

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…

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…