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An ordinary progression route onboard a yacht for a deck crew member could look like the following: 

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Starting out qualifications: 

  • STCW 95 

  • ENG1 (Medical Certificate)

  • Powerboat Level 2 (RYA)

    • or​

  • Small Powerboat & RIB Master (IYT)​​​

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After spending some time onboard, if you are looking to advance within the deck department, you will look at your first certificate of competency in the form of a Yachtmaster. There are two main options for this: 

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  • Yachtmaster Offshore (RYA)

    • or​

  • Master of Yachts Limited (IYT) ​

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Both certificates achieve the same purpose of allowing command of a vessel up to 24m, with some operational limitations and practical implications like membership fees to consider between the two. To be eligible to apply for these tickets, you ordinarily need: 

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  1. 50 days at sea, defined as being on a vessel outside of any harbour – natural or artificial – in which a cruising yacht could secure or anchor for a prolonged period.

  2. 3,000nm sailed, with varying requirements depending on a Power or Sail license

  3. 30 night watch hours

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Evidence of this is best given using a boat statement with an official letterhead and boat stamp, attesting to the required days, nautical miles and watch hours. It is strongly recommended to support your attestation with a daily log of your sea days, like the one provided by the Sea Service App. 

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Add boat attestation template

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Once you have obtained your Yachtmaster and gained a sense of the responsibility associated with holding a qualification onboard, you can decide if you are serious about your career at sea and look to obtain your Officer of the Watch ticket. To do that, you need:

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  • 36 months of onboard yacht service, defined as time signed onto vessels. This is best totalled from the dates in your discharge book. 

  • 365 days seagoing service, comprised of:

    • A minimum of 250 days’ seagoing service and

    • 115 days of any combination of the following:

      • Seagoing service;

      • Stand-by service – A maximum of 14 consecutive days may be counted at
        one time, but on no occasion may a period of standby service exceed that
        of the previous voyage;

      • Yard service – up to a maximum of 90 days continuously or in separate
        periods;

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Practically, seagoing service is time spent at sea, which may include time at anchor or river and canal transits associated with a passage. A minimum of 4 hours of working duty in 24 hours would
count as 1 full day.

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Stand-by Service is the time immediately following a voyage while the vessel is
under preparation for a subsequent voyage. A maximum of 14 consecutive days
may be counted at one time, but on no occasion may a period of standby service
exceed that of the previous voyage.

 

Yard service is time when standing by a build, refit or repair.

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While obtaining the necessary sea time, you complete the following courses: 

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