Working as a Yachtmaster in Australia and abroad

Working in Australia - Recognition of RYA / MCA qualifications- IMPORTANT CHANGES

As of 1st July 2014, the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) will directly recognises all

levels of RYA-YA Yachtmaster Certificates of Competence. For specific details of the exemption, please refer to the exemption (EX18 - Marine Safety (Sail) Exemption 2014) without the requirement to apply for recognition.

Non British flagged vessels

If you are working on board a non-British boat, your RYA certi􀃒cates are likely to be acceptable

but you will need to comply with the rules of the 􀃓ag state. Please contact the relevant national

maritime authority for full details of their requirements.

For information on obtaining the MCA Commercial Endorsement please see below.

Professional Qualifications

Approximately 50% of commercial superyachts around the world are ‘Red Ensign’ vessels, ie.

they are registered in the UK or in UK Crown Dependencies or Overseas Territories. RYA qualifications can help you achieve professional placement aboard these. Indeed, over 20,000 professionals are currently working on commercial vessels using RYA certificates of competence. Holders of the RYA Yachtmaster® Coastal, RYA Yachtmaster® Offshore and RYA Yachtmaster® Ocean qualifications can gain an endorsement allowing them to work commercially simply by completing the requirements for commercial endorsement as outlined above

Some non-UK marine authorities require additional qualifications for captains and crew under the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers 1995 (STCW95).

Holders of commercially endorsed RYA Yachtmaster® Oô€ƒ—shore and RYA Yachtmaster® Ocean certificates of competence can obtain an STCW endorsement if they hold the following certificates:

- STCW Personal Survival Techniques

- STCW Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities

- STCW Elementary First Aid

- STCW Fire Fighting and Fire Prevention

RYA-YA and MCA qualifications

RYA-YA and MCA (Maritime and Coastguard Agency) certificates go hand in hand. RYA certificates can be used professionally in their own right, or as a stepping stone to other MCA qualifications, as shown below.

British Flagged Vessels

If you are working on a British flagged vessel, the categorisation of waters and required certification below applies to you. RYA-YA certificates can be commercially endorsed for the following areas of operation:

Click for information on MCA Commercial and STCW Endorsements and medicals