Getting a commercial endorsement |
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What is a commercial endorsement?
Which certificates can be commercially endorsed?
Which certificate do I need?
How do I apply for a standard commercial endorsement?
How do I apply for a STCW endorsement?
Useful links
What is a commercial endorsement?
A commercial endorsement is printed onto your RYA certificate of competence and shows that you have undergone additional training and a medical fitness test, enabling you to work on board commercial vessels. There are two types of commercial endorsement:
The
standard commercial endorsement allows you work on board British flagged vessels which are subject to the MCA’s codes of practice for small commercial vessels. The following wording would appear on your certificate:
- For Yachtmaster® Offshore and Yachtmaster Ocean certificates of competence: “This certificate is valid for use as a Master of yachts of up to 200gt on commercially and privately registered yachts until (date of expiry)”
- For Powerboat Level 2, Powerboat Advanced, Day Skipper and Coastal Skipper certificates of competence: “Valid for vessels of up to 24 metres in length used for commercial purposes subject to the codes of practice issued by the MCA until (date of expiry)”
The STCW endorsement is for holders of the RYA Yachtmaster Offshore and Ocean certificates of competence working under non-UK maritime authorities. See the link below for an explanation of STCW. It requires you to take 4 additional courses:
- Personal Survival techniques (RYA Basic Sea Survival certificate or STCW A-V1/1-1)
- Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities (STCW A-V1/1-4)
- Elementary first aid (STCW A-V1/1-3)
- Fire fighting and fire prevention (STCW A-V1/1-2)
A list of RYA training centres offering these courses is shown in the link below.
The following wording would appear on your certificate:
“The certificate holder complies with STCW 95 regulations V1/1 Sections V1/1-4. This certificate is valid for use as a Master of yachts of up to 200gt on commercially and privately registered yachts until (date of expiry)”
Which certificates can be commercially endorsed?
The following certificates can receive the standard commercial endorsement:
- RYA Yachtmaster Ocean certificate of competence
- RYA Yachtmaster Offshore certificate of competence
- RYA Coastal Skipper certificate of competence
- RYA Day Skipper (tidal) practical course completion certificate
- RYA Day Skipper (non-tidal) practical course completion certificate, only if supported by a Day Skipper shorebased course completion certificate
- RYA Advanced Powerboat certificate of competence
- RYA Advanced Powerboat course completion certificate (if issued before January 1, 2005 - see link above)
- RYA Powerboat Level 2 course completion certificate
In addition, the RYA Yachtmaster Offshore and Yachtmaster Ocean certificates can receive the STCW endorsement.
Which certificate do I need?
The MCA’s codes of practice categorise British flagged commercial yachts according to the type of yacht and the waters in which they operate. It is this categorisation that determines which of the above certificates you will need. See the MCA's table of manning requirements below.
The RYA is a certifying authority for the codes of practice and can give advice on the coding and categorisation of commercial yachts. See the ‘requirements for commercial boats’ link below.
How do I apply for a standard commercial endorsement?
Send the following items to RYA Certification, RYA House, Ensign Way, Hamble, Hampshire SO31 4YA:
- Your original certificate - see list above
- A commercial endorsement application form - see link below
- Your Basic Sea Survival certificate
- An ML5 or ENG1 medical fitness certificate - download the MCA's ML5 form from the link below. Skippers working in category 1 or 0 waters will need the ENG1 medical. Contact the MCA for a list of approved doctors.
- A passport sized photo with your name on the back
- Fee - credit card details to be completed on the application form or enclose chque payable to 'RYA'.
How do I apply for a STCW endorsement?
Send the following items to RYA Certification, RYA House, Ensign Way, Hamble, Hampshire SO31 4YA:
- Your original RYA Yachtmaster Offshore or Yachtmaster Ocean certificate of competence
- A commercial endorsement application form - see link below
- An ML5 or ENG1 medical fitness certificate - download the MCA's ML5 form from the link below. Skippers working in category 1 or 0 waters will need the ENG1 medical. Contact the MCA for a list of approved doctors.
- Evidence of completion of STCW courses - see list above
- A passport sized photo with your name on the back
- Fee - credit card details to be completed on the application form or enclose chque payable to 'RYA'.
