UKSA’s Professional Yachtmaster Offshore qualification is a bespoke, ALL-INCLUSIVE, comprehensive training package that will provide you with the skills you need to establish your career in the maritime industry.
About the Professional Yachtmaster course
This unique, premium qualification has been developed by Richard Baggett, one of the world’s top yachting instructors, and his highly experienced team at UKSA. The course is constantly monitored and adapted to ensure it remains relevant and always covers the current requirements for you to start working in the industry straight away. UKSA’s highly regarded Yachtmaster course opens up the most opportunities for employment within the maritime sector. These opportunities include, but are not limited to, working on superyachts, flotilla, tug boats, and employment in the Merchant Navy.
To work professionally within the maritime industry, you must be commercially endorsed. To commercially endorse your RYA Yachtmaster Certification at the end of your training, you will need to complete the RYA application for Commercial Endorsement Form, but you will gain all qualifications needed to commercially endorse your ticket during training.
Why train with UKSA?
When you train at UKSA you experience our world-class tuition and over 35 years of maritime industry insight. Also included in your course fee :
Accommodation in our new Sea.Change building when shorebased for the duration of your course *
Freshly prepared breakfast, lunch and dinner provided each day
Purpose built classrooms and navigational training simulators all on one site
Career support both during and after your time at UKSA
You must have an ENG1 seafarer medical fitness certificate to work at sea (click herefor more details) and to enable you to apply for your RYA Commercial Endorsement (click here for more details). We recommend all students secure this before attending a course.
There are no other pre-requisites necessary to start the course. All that we ask is that you have enough sailing experience to know that you want a life at sea. If you don’t have any previous experience, we recommend you talk to our course advisors on +44 (0)1983 203038 or [email protected]
All maritime employers will expect some type of experience to show that you can demonstrate a strong work ethic, practical application of skills and are a motivated individual. We would recommend any student booking onto our careers courses to have a minimum of one year prior experience in a work place, whether this is volunteering or paid work.
UKSA is not a recruitment agency and cannot guarantee work placements after completion of the course, but we work closely with a large number of recruitment agencies and companies that employ our graduates. During all courses we provide industry and career guidance to prepare for seeking employment post-graduation, and offer continual support once you have left UKSA.
Funding available
We are here to support you
As a charity, we have funding opportunities available for those in genuine financial need, with up to 50% funding available for this course. Your course adviser will be able to provide you with the details, assess your eligibility and put you forward if you are a suitable candidate.
Frequently asked questions
How to get a commercial skipper’s license
The recommended route to obtaining a commercial skippers license is to do two training courses which consist of the Day Skipper Shorebased course and the Day Skipper Practical course. These are both included in the Professional Yachtmaster offshore course. The first covers the theory and knowledge-based training, such as meteorology, navigation, pilotage techniques and collision regulations; the second is putting this theory into practice in addition to developing the practical skippering skills of crew management, boat handling, practical pilotage and passage making.
What is a Yachtmaster?
A Yachtmaster is a person with a wealth of maritime knowledge who can cope with plain sailing and motor cruising and is also able to cope in demanding situations. Our Yachtmaster offshore qualification is recognised and respected all around the world and is the ultimate aim of many skippers, both professional and recreational.
Who are the RYA?
The RYA (Royal Yachting Association) are the national body for dinghy, yacht and motor cruising, all forms of sail racing, RIBs and sports boats, windsurfing and personal watercraft and a leading representative for inland waterways cruising.
What books do we need for yachtmaster offshore theories?
Essential books for Yachtmaster Offshore theory include RYA Navigation Handbook, RYA Yachtmaster Handbook, RYA Weather Handbook, RYA Sail Trim Handbook, and Reeds Nautical Almanac.
What is the difference between yachtmaster ocean and yachtmaster offshore?
Yachtmaster Offshore qualifies you to skipper yachts up to 150 miles from a safe haven, while Yachtmaster Ocean allows you to command yachts on unlimited offshore passages. Ocean certification requires additional celestial navigation skills.
How long does it take to become a Yachtmaster?
Our Yachtmaster course takes only 16 weeks. Including 70 days afloat and 2,500 tidal miles covered.
How much does a Professional Yachtmaster course cost?
Yachtmaster course costs vary depending on different factors such as company and time of the year. Please contact us for further information.
Sjoerd – UKSA Professional Yachtmaster Offshore graduate
“The course is very professional, the instructors are experienced and highly motivated, and everyone is friendly and keen to help you succeed. The key reason I joined UKSA is to get my yachting ticket from an organisation that is well respected in the yachting industry. I also wanted to benefit from the careers support to be able to break into a career in professional yachting.”
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