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International Maritime Organization
The International Maritime Organization is the United Nations' specialized agency responsible for improving maritime safety and preventing pollution from ships. The Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) was created in 1978, revised and amended in 1995 (STCW-95). 157 governments comprise the members of the IMO and each is individually responsible for implementing the legislation adopted by the IMO. These countries’ basic emergency training is recognized as meeting the standard set out by the IMO. This emergency training consists of:
·
Marine medical training,
Marine medical training, ·Marine fire fighting,
Marine fire fighting, ·Sea survival and
Sea survival and ·Personal safety & social responsibilities.
Personal safety & social responsibilities. STCW Components
1.Advanced Sea Survival: 3 day course dealing with all aspects of life saving equipment and training including practical abandonment from a yacht at sea.
Advanced Sea Survival: 3 day course dealing with all aspects of life saving equipment and training including practical abandonment from a yacht at sea. 2.MCA Medical Care aboard Ships: 8 day course covering all aspects of medical care on board.
MCA Medical Care aboard Ships: 8 day course covering all aspects of medical care on board. 3.Basic and Advanced Firefighting: 5 day fire fighting course covering theory and practical drills.
Basic and Advanced Firefighting: 5 day fire fighting course covering theory and practical drills. Maritime and Coastguard Agency UK
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) of the United Kingdom issues licenses by oral exam for Class 4 and 5 commercial ticket holders for operating UK registered vessels. Also available are Certificates of Equivalent Competency (CEC) issued to holders of valid STCW certificates from other recognized nations, also by way of oral examination. If you hold a USCG license or a Canadian license, you qualify for an equivalent license from the MCA.
MCA Class 4 Certificate of Competence
1.Yachtmaster Offshore: 5 day theory and 5 day practical course in navigation and boat handling
Yachtmaster Offshore: 5 day theory and 5 day practical course in navigation and boat handling2.Yachtmaster Ocean: 6 day course in Celestial Navigation
Yachtmaster Ocean: 6 day course in Celestial Navigation3.GMDSS General Operator's Certificate: 10 day course in MF/HF, Satcoms and D.S.C.
GMDSS General Operator's Certificate: 10 day course in MF/HF, Satcoms and D.S.C. 4.Navigation & Radar: 10 day module in chart work and radar techniques
Navigation & Radar: 10 day module in chart work and radar techniques5.MCA Ship Stability & Construction: 5 day course in ship stability & construction
MCA Ship Stability & Construction: 5 day course in ship stability & construction6.MCA Business & Maritime Law: 5 day course in Shipmaster's Business & Maritime Law
MCA Business & Maritime Law: 5 day course in Shipmaster's Business & Maritime Law7.CLASS 4 Oral Preparation: 3 day examination preparation course covering all areas of the syllabus. This is a revision course covering all M.C.A. Modules in preparation for your oral examination.
CLASS 4 Oral Preparation: 3 day examination preparation course covering all areas of the syllabus. This is a revision course covering all M.C.A. Modules in preparation for your oral examination. 8.CLASS 4 Oral examination covering all areas of the syllabus by an MCA examiner.
CLASS 4 Oral examination covering all areas of the syllabus by an MCA examiner.RYA Royal Yachting Association UK
Link: http://www.rya.org.uk/
Recreational yachting licenses for UK vessels up to 200 tons
1.Day Skipper Sail / Motor Cruising: An elementary course in basic seamanship, navigation and meteorology suitable for beginners and people with little experience in yachts.
Day Skipper Sail / Motor Cruising: An elementary course in basic seamanship, navigation and meteorology suitable for beginners and people with little experience in yachts. 2.Coastal Skipper / Yachtmaster Offshore Cruising: A more advanced course in navigation and meteorology, suitable for students who have already completed the elementary course or who have a background of cruising or offshore racing. The course is definitely not for beginners. Minimum duration: 46 hours.
Coastal Skipper / Yachtmaster Offshore Cruising: A more advanced course in navigation and meteorology, suitable for students who have already completed the elementary course or who have a background of cruising or offshore racing. The course is definitely not for beginners. Minimum duration: 46 hours. 3.Yachtmaster Ocean Sail/Motor Cruising: This course covers astral-navigation and worldwide meteorology. Knowledge of terrestrial navigation and meteorology to the standard of Yachtmaster Offshore is assumed. Minimum duration: 40 hours.
Yachtmaster Ocean Sail/Motor Cruising: This course covers astral-navigation and worldwide meteorology. Knowledge of terrestrial navigation and meteorology to the standard of Yachtmaster Offshore is assumed. Minimum duration: 40 hours. 4.VHF Radio Operators' Courses: These short courses prepare students for the examinations required for the operation of a marine VHF radiotelephone. Duration: 1 or 2 days.
VHF Radio Operators' Courses: These short courses prepare students for the examinations required for the operation of a marine VHF radiotelephone. Duration: 1 or 2 days. 5.Introduction to Motor Cruising: This is an informal course mainly run by motor cruising clubs. Although designated as a shore based course it does include some practical sessions.
Introduction to Motor Cruising: This is an informal course mainly run by motor cruising clubs. Although designated as a shore based course it does include some practical sessions. 6.Diesel Engine: A basic introduction to the marine diesel engine to give students the opportunity to change the impeller, bleed the fuel system and change fuel filters. Course numbers are limited to six per engine on this one-day course.
Diesel Engine: A basic introduction to the marine diesel engine to give students the opportunity to change the impeller, bleed the fuel system and change fuel filters. Course numbers are limited to six per engine on this one-day course. Canadian Merchant Marine Certification
1.Watchkeeper's Mate: Qualifies the holder to carry out duties as a 3rd Mate on a Foreign Going vessel,
Watchkeeper's Mate: Qualifies the holder to carry out duties as a 3rd Mate on a Foreign Going vessel, which usually requires an addition of the OSI-Astro-Navigation, or as a 2nd Mate on a Home Trade Vessel.
2.Command Endorsement: Qualifies the holder to act as a Master of a vessel not exceeding 350 tons gross
Command Endorsement: Qualifies the holder to act as a Master of a vessel not exceeding 350 tons gross tonnage (within the Home Trade limits), or of a tug of any size.
3.Ocean Navigator II: Qualifies the holder to act in the capacity of a 2nd Mate on a Foreign Going vessel
Ocean Navigator II: Qualifies the holder to act in the capacity of a 2nd Mate on a Foreign Going vessel or a 1st Mate on a Home Trade vessel.
4.Ocean Navigator I: Qualifies the holder to act in the capacity of a 1st Mate on a Foreign Going vessel or
Ocean Navigator I: Qualifies the holder to act in the capacity of a 1st Mate on a Foreign Going vessel or a Master on a Home Trade vessel.
5.Master Mariner: Qualifies the holder to act in the capacity of Master on a Foreign Going vessel or a Home Trade vessel.
Master Mariner: Qualifies the holder to act in the capacity of Master on a Foreign Going vessel or a Home Trade vessel.6.
Canadian Yachting Association
Link: http://www.sailing.ca/
1.Basic Cruising: This covers the skills required to cruise safely in local waters as either skipper or crew of a sailing cruiser of 20-30 feet in moderate wind and sea conditions by day.
Basic Cruising: This covers the skills required to cruise safely in local waters as either skipper or crew of a sailing cruiser of 20-30 feet in moderate wind and sea conditions by day. 2.Intermediate Cruising: This covers the skills required to cruise safely a keelboat of 25-35 feet in familiar waters. It is recommended as the minimum qualification for bareboat chartering. The recommended time for teaching and examining the standard is five days or two weekends.
Intermediate Cruising: This covers the skills required to cruise safely a keelboat of 25-35 feet in familiar waters. It is recommended as the minimum qualification for bareboat chartering. The recommended time for teaching and examining the standard is five days or two weekends.3.Advanced Cruising: This covers the skills needed to skipper or crew a sailing cruiser of 25-40 feet during the day and night in coastal waters in any weather.
Advanced Cruising: This covers the skills needed to skipper or crew a sailing cruiser of 25-40 feet during the day and night in coastal waters in any weather. 4.Coastal Navigation: This covers the theory required to navigate safely in coastal or inland waters. This theory is applied in the Advanced standard.
Coastal Navigation: This covers the theory required to navigate safely in coastal or inland waters. This theory is applied in the Advanced standard.5.Celestial Navigation: This covers the theory required to navigate safely on offshore passages. This theory is applied in the Offshore standard.
Celestial Navigation: This covers the theory required to navigate safely on offshore passages. This theory is applied in the Offshore standard.6.Yachtmaster Offshore: This is the highest level of the CYA Learn to Cruise Program. It covers the skills required to skipper or crew on offshore passages exceeding 500 miles in length and venturing more than 100 nautical miles from land.
Yachtmaster Offshore: This is the highest level of the CYA Learn to Cruise Program. It covers the skills required to skipper or crew on offshore passages exceeding 500 miles in length and venturing more than 100 nautical miles from land. United States Coast Guard Certification
United States Coast Guard licenses are issued as a combination of the grade, route, propulsion and tonnage. Any combinations can be made of any of the fields below, for example: "Master, Oceans, Motor, 100 ton".
Grades: Master, Chief Mate, Second Mate, Third Mate, or Mate
Routes: Inland, Great Lakes, Near Coastal or Oceans
Means of propulsion: Steam, Motor, Sail or Auxiliary Sail
Vessel tonnage: 100T, 150T, 200T, 500T, 1600T or unlimited
American Sailing Association
1.Basic Keelboat: Able to sail a boat of about 20 feet in length in light to moderate winds and sea conditions in familiar waters without supervision. A preparatory Standard with no auxiliary power or navigation skills required.
Basic Keelboat: Able to sail a boat of about 20 feet in length in light to moderate winds and sea conditions in familiar waters without supervision. A preparatory Standard with no auxiliary power or navigation skills required.2.Basic Coastal Cruising: Able to cruise safely in local and regional waters as both skipper and crew on an auxiliary powered sailboat of about 20 to 30 feet in length, in moderate winds and sea conditions.
Basic Coastal Cruising: Able to cruise safely in local and regional waters as both skipper and crew on an auxiliary powered sailboat of about 20 to 30 feet in length, in moderate winds and sea conditions.3.Intermediate Coastal Cruising: An advanced cruising Standard for individuals with cruising experience. The individual can act as skipper or crew of a 30 - 50 foot boat sailing by day in coastal waters. The Standard includes knowledge of boat systems and maintenance procedures.
Intermediate Coastal Cruising: An advanced cruising Standard for individuals with cruising experience. The individual can act as skipper or crew of a 30 - 50 foot boat sailing by day in coastal waters. The Standard includes knowledge of boat systems and maintenance procedures. 4.Coastal Navigation: Able to demonstrate the navigational theory required to safely navigate a sailing vessel in coastal or inland waters. There is no Sailing Skills part to this Standard and practical application of this sailing knowledge is found in the Advanced Coastal Cruising Standard.
Coastal Navigation: Able to demonstrate the navigational theory required to safely navigate a sailing vessel in coastal or inland waters. There is no Sailing Skills part to this Standard and practical application of this sailing knowledge is found in the Advanced Coastal Cruising Standard.5.Advanced Coastal Cruising: Able to safely act as skipper and crew of a sailing vessel about 30 to 50 feet in length. This is a day and nighttime Standard in coastal and inland water, in any weather.
Advanced Coastal Cruising: Able to safely act as skipper and crew of a sailing vessel about 30 to 50 feet in length. This is a day and nighttime Standard in coastal and inland water, in any weather.6.Celestial Navigation: Able to demonstrate the Celestial Navigation theory required to safely navigate a sailboat on an offshore passage. The practical application is conducted in the Offshore Passage Making Standard.
Celestial Navigation: Able to demonstrate the Celestial Navigation theory required to safely navigate a sailboat on an offshore passage. The practical application is conducted in the Offshore Passage Making Standard.7.Offshore Passage Making: The sailor is able to safely act as skipper or crew of a sailing vessel on offshore passages in any weather. The Celestial Navigation Standard is performed.
Offshore Passage Making: The sailor is able to safely act as skipper or crew of a sailing vessel on offshore passages in any weather. The Celestial Navigation Standard is performed.EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS
Captain
Experience
Years of sailing on board the yachts as a Mate while holding appropriate certification is required. Captain is responsible for the entire ship and it’s safe and efficient operation.
Ultimately the safe navigation of the vessel and everyone on board is the main task of captains. They should be familiar with every system on board including radar, satellite navigation, satellite communication, multi-propeller use, bow and stern thrusters, stabilizers, trim-tabs, etc. etc. On smaller yachts they may also be the engineer and even maintain the exterior of the yacht as well. On larger yachts they delegate the various duties among the crew and should be familiar with each of their positions. They have to keep financial records, make and meet budgets, plan itineraries and reservations in marinas, and have a resource of international contacts for all types of parts and services. They should be able to bond with the crew while maintaining their respect and being able to interact closely with owners and guests while maintaining a professional relationship. The entire vessel is the responsibility of the captain.
Engineer
Experience
Practical hands on experience repairing any variety of mechanical items such as jet skis, wave runners, air conditioners, refrigerators, diesel engines, generators, electrical wiring, plumbing, navigational equipment, etc.
Responsibility
The Engineer is responsible for keeping the yacht in good mechanical order so that the vessel is safe to go to sea with guests and crew on board, and able to provide a first class hotel environment for the owners and their guests. Most vessels will require the Engineer to have some formal training, certification and licensure depending on the size and flag of the yacht.
Deckhand
Experience
Boating experience, ability to swim/scuba dive, repair small engines, paint or varnish, and willingness to maintain exterior of the yacht in immaculate condition with pride.
Responsibility
The Deckhand is responsible for assisting the guests with their baggage, driving the tender for them, transporting them to and from shore, cleaning the exterior of the boat, assisting in the navigation while underway, and generally helping to ensure a safe environment for the guests' vacation. Most yachts will also require some maritime training, including STCW 95 Basic Safety Training.
Chef / Cook
Experience
Same 'service' attitude as above, but flair for, and enjoyment of cooking for up to 12 guests and crew.
Responsibility
The Cook or Chef is responsible for ordering, purchasing and storage of all food items, liaising with the owners/guests to plan the menu for the trip, and preparing all the food for the guests and the rest of the yacht crew. As the owners use the boat as a hotel in many cases, sometimes in remote locations, the food served is often the highlight of their trip. Most yachts will also require some maritime training, including STCW 95 Basic Safety Training.
Steward
Experience
Restaurant and/or hotel cleaning experience, with a great 'service with a smile' attitude, and willingness and ability to live on board and travel with the vessel.
Responsibility
The Steward/ess is responsible for all interior cleaning of the vessel, including setting the table and service of the meals, making the beds for the guests, doing the laundry for guests and crew, and for providing attentive service, anticipating their needs before they need to ask. Your job is to ensure that the guests have an enjoyable and relaxing vacation on board, and that the boat is kept immaculate.
There are two divisions of Marine Licensing:
1. Merchant Marine (commercial) licenses apply to all ocean going vessels
(including cargo ships, cruise liners, ferries and navy vessels)
2. Various yachting association certificates which apply to recreational sailing
and motor yachts.
Recently with the addition of much larger yachts worldwide, most countries have been requiring commercial licenses for yachts over one hundred feet. Canada, USA and the UK each have their own recreational yachting associations (CYA, RYA, ASA) although most of their training and exams are very similar. These are mostly recreational licenses and do not apply to any charter yachts, nor vessels over 100 feet.
The Captain, Mates, and Engineers, on a charter vessel or a larger private yacht, require the appropriate License recognized by the Flag State of the vessel. A maritime license is not necessarily required for the junior level positions, i.e. Stewardess, Deckhand, Cook, etc. However, most yachts will require their entire crew to be STCW-95 Certified and many will require a Yacht Ratings Certificate. In addition, anyone operating a Tender is required in many countries to hold a Tender Certificate or Power Boat License.
The Maritime Coastguard Agency of the British Commonwealth has even created a new class of commercial license (Class 4) exclusively for yachts. They will also accept applications for a MCA Certificate of Equivalency (CoE) from other country's licenses by submitting an application to their agency. Canada and the United States do NOT recognize licenses from other countries, therefore it is recommended for Americans and Canadians to first obtain the license from their country, before applying for an equivalency to the MCA. Also these two countries will only permit crew who are citizens or with work visa to work on their yachts. There are training facilities out there offering recreational "yachtmaster" licenses up to 200 tons, however these are also limited to 70 feet in length (the only license with a length restriction). If you plan on advancing your career into the Superyacht and Megayacht categories, we recommend obtaining commercial licenses.
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