What you need to perform it
Primary qualification
- MCA Master (Code Vessels / Yachts) < 200 GT CoC, issued on the basis of the RYA Yachtmaster Offshore or Ocean with Commercial Endorsement, per the MCA yacht deck officers guidance (MSN 1858 (M) and amendments — verify current number and edition).
- Attributions: Master on yachts under 200 GT (150 miles or unlimited operation by route) and OOW on yachts under 500 GT (verify the exact scope in the current MSN).
- Valid ENG1 medical certificate and the minimum age of the applicable MSN (as a guide: 20 for command).
- Five-yearly CoC revalidation with proven sea service and a valid medical (as a guide).
Basic STCW
- Full STCW A-VI/1: survival (A-VI/1-1), fire fighting (A-VI/1-2), first aid (A-VI/1-3) and personal safety and social responsibilities (A-VI/1-4), with five-yearly refresher.
- A-VI/6-1 maritime security awareness (and A-VI/6-2 if assigned security duties).
Specific courses
- RYA Yachtmaster Offshore CoC with commercial endorsement (150-mile route) or Yachtmaster Ocean CoC (unlimited route).
- Yachtmaster Ocean theory (celestial navigation) to remove the 150-mile limitation.
- GMDSS: restricted ROC/Long Range for the 150-mile route; GOC (general certificate) for unlimited operation.
- Complementary training required or recommended by the MSN depending on route: operational HELM, radar and updated first aid (verify current package).
- MCA issue process: application, sea service verification and, where the MSN so provides, an MCA oral exam (verify by route).
Indicative experience
It builds on the Yachtmaster mileage (50 days/2,500 miles for Offshore; Ocean adds a qualifying ocean passage with celestial observations). As a guide: one or two years in command in charter or private yachting before taking a 200 GT with professional crew.
Observations
Dataset ladder: Yachtmaster Offshore/Ocean → Master < 200 GT → OOW Yachts < 3,000 GT → Chief Mate/Master Yachts. It is the first rung where the yacht skipper takes on full merchant-master responsibilities in a small format: the code's ISM/mini-ISM, safe manning, MLC rest hours and accountability to the flag State. The OOW < 500 GT attribution allows serving as an officer on medium yachts while building service towards the large-yacht route. It does not automatically convert into Spanish professional qualifications — verify with the DGMM.
What this role does
It is the hinge between the RYA world and the merchant yachting ladder: it turns the Yachtmaster into an MCA certificate of competency with real command attributions. There are two routes: Offshore (Yachtmaster Offshore + restricted GMDSS), limited to 150 miles, and Ocean (Yachtmaster Ocean + general GMDSS), with unlimited navigation; the limit is removed by completing the Ocean theory and certificate. From here, the natural ladder continues to OOW Yachts < 3,000 GT.
Typical watches
- Command of the vessel or navigational watch as OOW, depending on the manning position
Key responsibilities
- Exercise command of commercial or private yachts up to 200 GT under the MCA codes.
- Serve as officer of the watch (OOW) on yachts up to 500 GT depending on the route taken.
- Plan passages and manage stability, freeboard and the documentation of the applicable code.
- Lead the crew: watches, familiarisation, drills and rest hours.
- Operate the area's GMDSS communications (ROC/GOC by route) and be accountable for the vessel's safety.
Operational scope
- Ocean route: command up to 200 GT with unlimited navigation (with Yachtmaster Ocean and general GMDSS)
- Offshore route: command up to 200 GT limited to 150 miles from a safe haven (with Yachtmaster Offshore and restricted GMDSS)
- Commercial and private yachts and sail training vessels under the MCA codes
Profile reviewed by HydroAbyss (2026). Cited rules and timeframes are indicative: the final requirement is set by the flag State, the Administration and each company.