I am frequently asked whether or not a new owner of a British Registered vessel requires formal evidence of competence to drive a boat. Within the United Kingdom and her waters, it is currently not a requirement to have a formal certificate of competence to skipper a boat up to 24 meters or 80 gross tonnes (if it is for family / private and pleasure purposes only) but you must have an understanding of all the pleasure regulations listed here:

 

 

The rules change, once the skipper operates a vessel in certain foreign waters i.e. most of the European Countries - An international certificate of competence – ICC is required:

 

 

Vessels that carry paying passengers or vessels that are over 24 meters in load line then require formal qualifications.

 

There are also many rules laid in the above links, that every person in charge on the water whether for private or commercial use, have to abide by rules defined in the International Regulations for Preventing Collision at Sea, 1972. The most common offences are not keeping a good look out and breaching traffic separation schemes (Rule 10, b, i). The outcome for breaching these rules is certainly a summons to court and if found guilty large fines of up to 16,000 plus costs. Some of these offenses can be seen in the link here and prove an interesting read:

 

For the simple reasons laid out above, those whom have an interest in looking after their recent purchases and loved ones at sea would almost certainly undertake an RYA qualification. Other important benefits of under taking a course would be a reduction in your insurance premium which some see as a return on investment (the training fee).

 

JD Yachts recommended courses through local approved RYA training centres:

 

International Certificate of Competence for Power and Sail – Assessment of 12 day or own boat tuition up to 4 days

 

RYA Radio VHF DSC (A legal requirement here in the UK and abroad)*

 

RYA Power Boating Level 2 for boats under 10 meters – 2 Days*

 

RYA PWC Jet Ski course – 1 Day (A legal requirement for most UK Harbours and Inland Waterways)*

 

Own Boat Refresher Tuition / Assisted Passages / Deliveries

 

RYA First Aid*

 

RYA CEVNI Inland Waterways Test

 

RYA Day Skipper Theory – 5 days*

 

Day Skipper Practical for Power – 4 days*

 

RYA Yacht Master Theory – 5 days*

 

Yacht Master Prep – 5 days*

 

* Minimum numbers apply

 

Contact us for more details on +44 (0) 8458 125 126 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.