1. The core qualification
For most yacht deliveries owners and insurers expect at least an RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Offshore certificate of competence (or a national equivalent). It is assessed in a practical exam and requires logged sea time, including night hours and passages as skipper.
2. Make it commercial
To be paid as skipper on many vessels you need the commercial endorsement on your Yachtmaster. According to the RYA, that typically means:
- •A seafarer medical — ML5 or ENG1, depending on the area of operation (the ENG1 for the furthest offshore categories)
- •First aid — RYA First Aid or STCW Elementary First Aid
- •Basic Sea Survival (or STCW Personal Survival Techniques)
- •The online Professional Practices and Responsibilities (PPR) course
- •A VHF/SRC radio operator certificate
Requirements change — check the current RYA commercial endorsement guidance before you apply.
3. Build the right sea time
Owners care less about total miles than about relevant miles: offshore passages, night watches, heavy weather, and experience on the type and size of boat you are applying for. Crew on deliveries before you skipper them — as mate you learn passage planning, provisioning, customs and how to deal with owners.
4. STCW and the paperwork
STCW Basic Safety Training is expected on most professional yachts and is useful even where it is not mandatory. Keep certificates, medicals and passport validity up to date, and log every passage with dates, vessel, role and miles.
5. Reputation is the real licence
- •Clear passage plans and weather decisions, shared with the owner before departure
- •Daily position and ETA updates during the trip
- •A tidy, documented handover at both ends
- •Reviews from owners after every job
On Maritime Delivery your verified certificates, sea-time logbook and reviews from completed assignments sit together on one profile clients can trust.
Sources
Put it to work