Key takeaways
- ✓Day Skipper is a course for skippering by day in familiar waters; it is the usual first step.
- ✓Yachtmaster Coastal is an exam: about 30 days, 800 miles, 2 days as skipper and 12 night hours at sea first.
- ✓Yachtmaster Offshore is the standard for delivery skippers: about 50 days, 2,500 miles and 5 days as skipper first.
- ✓To be paid as skipper on a commercial yacht you usually also need a commercial endorsement.
- ✓Log every passage — your sea time is what lets you sit the exams.
The ladder at a glance
| Level | Type | Sea time before | What it is for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day Skipper | Course (practical) | Some experience recommended | Skippering by day in familiar coastal waters |
| Coastal Skipper | Course (practical) | About 15 days, 300 miles, 8 night hours (recommended) | Coastal passages, including at night |
| Yachtmaster Coastal | Exam | 30 days, 800 miles, 2 days as skipper, 12 night hours | Skipper on coastal passages |
| Yachtmaster Offshore | Exam | 50 days, 2,500 miles, 5 days as skipper, 5 passages over 60 nm | Skipper offshore, up to 150 miles from harbour |
| Yachtmaster Ocean | Exam + ocean passage | Yachtmaster Offshore plus an ocean passage | Ocean crossings and astro navigation |
Courses vs exams
Day Skipper and Coastal Skipper are taught courses: you learn and are assessed on board. Yachtmaster Coastal and Offshore are exams: you bring the experience, an examiner tests you. Many people take a preparation week before the exam, but the sea time has to be in your logbook first.
Qualifying sea time must be logged and signed. For Yachtmaster Offshore, the passages over 60 nautical miles must include two at night and two as skipper, and the sea time should be recent.
Which level do delivery jobs ask for?
- •Delivery crew: often no licence, but Day Skipper or Competent Crew plus STCW Basic Safety helps.
- •Mate on a delivery: Yachtmaster Coastal or Offshore is common.
- •Delivery skipper: Yachtmaster Offshore with a commercial endorsement is the usual standard; Yachtmaster Ocean for ocean crossings.
- •Superyacht deck crew: Yachtmaster Offshore is a step towards the OOW and Master qualifications.
Other things you need
- •A VHF/SRC radio licence and a first aid certificate (both needed for the Yachtmaster exams).
- •STCW Basic Safety Training and a seafarer medical (e.g. ENG1) for commercial work.
- •A commercial endorsement to work for pay on small commercial vessels.
Requirements change and differ by flag. Always confirm with the RYA or the authority that issues your certificate.
How to build sea time faster
- •Crew on yacht deliveries — long passages add miles and night hours quickly.
- •Join an Atlantic crossing or rally as crew.
- •Keep a digital logbook and get each skipper to sign it.
Frequently asked questions
Can I go straight to Yachtmaster Offshore?+
Yes, if you have the sea time (about 50 days, 2,500 miles, 5 days as skipper and the required passages) plus a radio licence and first aid. Many candidates still take a preparation course first.
What is the difference between Yachtmaster Coastal and Offshore?+
Coastal covers coastal passages and needs less sea time (about 800 miles). Offshore covers passages up to 150 miles from harbour and needs about 2,500 miles.
Is Day Skipper enough to deliver yachts?+
Usually not as skipper. Day Skipper is a good start for crew; delivery skippers normally hold Yachtmaster Offshore with a commercial endorsement.
Do I need a commercial endorsement?+
To skipper for pay on commercially operated small vessels, usually yes. Check the rules for the flag and the vessel.
Sources
Put it to work