commercial boating:
A commercial endorsement is required for work on board British flagged vessels subject to the MCA's codes of practice for small commercial vessels.
A number of additional training courses and medical fitness certificates are required to be eligible for a commercial endorsement.
How to get an RYA Commercial Endorsement?
Step 1
Do you hold one of the following certificates?
- RYA Powerboat Level 2 Certificate
- RYA Advanced Powerboat Certificate (issued before 1.5.05)
- RYA Day Skipper Practical & Shorebased Certificate
- RYA Advanced Powerboat Certificate of Competence
- RYA Yachtmaster Coastal Certificate of Competence
- RYA Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate of Competence
- RYA Yachtmaster Ocean Certificate of Competence
Step 2
If yes, you will then also need all of the following:
- RYA First Aid or STCW Elementary First Aid or Sea Fish First Aid certificate
- RYA Marine Radio VHF/SRC Certificate or GMDSS Marine Radio Operators Certificate
- RYA Professional Practices & Responsibilities Certificate
- RYA Sea Survival or STCW Personal Survival Techniques
- ML5 or ENG1 Medical
(Once you've obtained the above):
Step 3 (application process)
- Complete Application form
Include:
- Application fee
- Copies of certificates (as listed above)
- Passport Photo with name printed on the reverse
What you can do with an rya commercial endorsement?
| Operating Area | Certificate Required? |
| Category 0 (Unrestricted /Worldwide) | RYA Yachtmaster Ocean Certificate of Competence (CoC) |
| Category 1 (Up to 150 miles from a safe haven) | RYA Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate of Competence (CoC) |
| Category 2 (Up to 60 miles from a safe haven) | RYA Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate of Competence (CoC) |
| Category 3 (Up to 20 miles from a safe haven) | RYA Advanced Powerboat Certificate of Competence (CoC), RYA Yachtmaster Coastal Certificate of Competence (CoC), RYA Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate of Competence (CoC) |
| Category 4 (Up to 20 miles from a safe haven in favourable weather & daylight) | RYA Advanced Powerboat Certificate of Competence (CoC), RYA Yachtmaster Coastal Certificate of Competence (CoC), RYA Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate of Competence (CoC) |
| Category 5 (To sea, within 20 miles from a Nominated Departure Point in favourable weather & daylight) | RYA Day Skipper Practical & Shorebased, RYA Advanced Powerboat Certificate of Competence (CoC), RYA Yachtmaster Coastal Certificate of Competence (CoC), RYA Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate of Competence (CoC), RYA Yachtmaster Ocean Certificate of Competence (CoC) |
| Category 6 (To sea, within 3 miles from a Nominated Departure Point & never more than 3 miles from land in favourable weather & daylight |
RYA Powerboat Level 2, RYA Day Skipper Practical & Shorebased, RYA Advanced Powerboat Certificate of Competence (CoC), RYA Yachtmaster Coastal Certificate of Competence (CoC), RYA Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate of Competence (CoC) |