RYA commercial endorsement
What certificates can I commercially endorse?
Commercial Endorsement is required to work, as skipper, on a British flagged vessel that takes “paying passengers”. A commercial vessel can be defined as:
“A motor or sailing vessel in commercial use (i.e. Charter) for sport or pleasure, carrying no cargo and not more than 12 paying passengers.”
You are able to apply for a Commercial Endorsement on any of the following qualifications:
- RYA Powerboat Level 2
- RYA Advanced Powerboat Certificate of Competence
- RYA Day Skipper Practical (Power or Sail). You must have completed RYA Day Skipper Theory too
- RYA Yachtmaster Coastal Certificate of Competence
- RYA Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate of Competence
- RYA Yachtmaster Ocean Certificate of Competence
How do I apply for commercial endorsement?
Send the following items to RYA Certification, RYA House, Ensign Way, Hamble, Hampshire SO31 4YA:
- ENG1 or ML5 medical.
- Your Origional certificate that you intend to get commercially endorsed.
- Professional Practices and Responsibilities course, known as PPR. Note, that the PPR qualification lasts for life.
- Commercial endorsement application through the RYA.
- Sea survival certificate
Note: If you hold STCW Basic Safety Training certificates then by sending in STCW plus 1-4 above
STCW upgrade to Master 200GT
If you hold all four elements of the STCW Basic Safety training modules (Fire Fighting, Sea Survival, Elementary First Aid and PSSR) then you can apply for the STCW Master 200 endorsement. With an STCW endorsement your certificate of competence will be endorsed with the term “Master of Yachts 200GT”. With the STCW endorsement your qualification allows you to skipper a UK registered vessel upto 200GT, which could be larger than 24m.
How long does commercial endorsement last?
All commercial endorsements are required to be renewed every five years. To renew your commercial endorsement please use this link. You will need to be in the possession of:
- A valid ENG1 or ML5 medical certificate
- Your original certificate
- Passport photo
If you have any questions relating to RYA Commercial Endorsement then feel free to contact us
What can I do with my Commercial Endorsement
Once you have commercially endorsed your RYA certificate, you are able to use the certificate commercially. The following describes what you can do with each certificate:
Powerboat level 2 – Allows you to work in Category 6 waters: within 3 miles from a nominated departure point(s) and never more than 3 miles from land, in favourable weather and daylight
Advanced Powerboat (with 12 months of relevant experience) – Allows you to work in Category 6 waters, within 3 miles from a nominated departure point(s) and never more than 3 miles from land, in favourable weather and daylight
Advanced Powerboat (with two years of relevent experience) – Allows you to work in Category 6 – 3 waters, up to 20 miles from a safe haven, day or night.
RYA Day Skipper Practical & Sail (Power or Sail): Allows you to work in Category 5 and 6 waters, within 20 miles from a nominated departure point in favourable weather and daylight.
RYA Yachtmaster Coastal: Allows you to work in Category 6 – 3 waters, ip to 20 miles from a safe haven, day or night.
RYA Yachtmaster Offshore: Allows you to work in Category 1 waters, up to 150 miles from a safe haven
RYA Yachtmaster Ocean: Allows you to work in Category 0 waters, Unrestricted service