Commercial Endorsements

Unless you attend an RYA Recognised Training Centre for assessments then your theory completion certificate from an online course will be marked as 'NOT INVIGILATED'

This would mean that your Day Skipper Practical certificate cannot be commercially endorsed.

Our classroom courses are always invigilated anyway but if you require an invigilated exam, please get in touch to book.

So what exactly is a commercial endorsement?

A commercial endorsement is granted by the RYA to allow you to operate as a skipper for commercial purposes.

The requirements for an RYA Yachtmaster are:

1. Certificate of Competence (following exam)

2. Medical Fitness Certificate

3. Sea Survival certificate

4. RYA PPR course completion certificate.

5. A fee payable to the RYA.

The requirements for a Day Skipper are:

1. Day Skipper practical course completion certificate

2. Day Skipper shorebased course completion certificate.

The shorebased course may be undertaken online or in the classroom. In either case, the exams must be invigilated.

What is assessment invigilation, and who can conduct it?

In some cases, it is necessary to arrange for an RYA Instructor to be present throughout the assessment to verify that you haven’t received any assistance during the exam, this is known as invigilation.

When is invigilation required?

Invigilation is not required:

• If you are going to be using the qualification for leisure purposes (flotilla, charter, own boat cruising etc).

• If you wish to qualify as a RYA Cruising Instructor or an RYA Yachtmaster™ Instructor.

• For Skippering vessels of below 200GT.

• If you are wishing to add a Commercial Endorsement to a RYA Yachtmaster™ Coastal or an RYA Yachtmaster™ Offshore Certificate of Competence.

Invigilation is required:

• If you wish to study towards MCA large yacht qualifications such as Officer of the Watch or Master 3000. In this case, all of your theory assessments must be invigilated.

• If you intend to Skipper vessels of over 200GT.

• If you intend to use your RYA Day Skipper Certificate or Competence for commercial purposes such as sea angling or commercial dive-boat operations within the UK you will require a professional endorsement to a Day Skipper Certificate of Competence. This will enable you to skipper a small commercial vessel. If your Day Skipper shorebased exam is invigilated by an RYA Instructor you will be able to operate up to a 20 mile limit from the vessel’s home port. If your theory exam has not been invigilated, operation will be authorised for a 3 mile limit from the vessel’s home port.

• If you will be taking the Ocean Yachtmaster™ oral examination, the invigilation of the shorebased assessment is optional. However, if you choose not to have your assessment invigilated, the Examiner may ask you to complete a further theory paper during your oral examination.

How can invigilation be arranged:

• We can assist you with this, or you may choose to make your own arrangements independently.

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