Commercial Endorsement

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• Commercial Endorsement

A commercial endorsement is required for work on board British flagged vessels subject to the MCA's codes of practice for small commercial vessels.

A number of additional training courses and medical fitness certificates are required to be eligible for a commercial endorsement.

Any of the Yachtmaster qualifications above can be commercially endorsed by the RYA thus enabling you to work on commercial vessels. The endorsement is printed on your RYA certificate of competence to show that you have undergone additional training and a medical fitness test, enabling you to work on commercial vessels.

There are two types of commercial endorsement: The standard commercial endorsement allows you work on board British flagged vessels subject to the MCA's codes of practice for small commercial vessels. 

For Yachtmaster Coastal Certificates of Competence:

• Valid for vessels of up to 24 metres in length used for commercial purposes subject to the codes of practice issued by the MCA until (date of expiry).

For Yachtmaster Offshore and Yachtmaster Ocean Certificates of Competence:

• This certificate is valid for use as a Master of yachts of up to 200gt on commercially and privately registered yachts until (date of expiry).

The STCW endorsement is for holders of the RYA Yachtmaster Offshore and Ocean Certificates of Competence working under non-UK maritime authorities. It requires you to take 4 additional courses:

• Personal Survival techniques (STCW A-V1/1-1)
• Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities (STCW A-V1/1-4)
• Elementary first aid (STCW A-V1/1-3)
• Fire fighting and fire prevention (STCW A-V1/1-2)

The following wording would appear on your certificate:

• The certificate holder has completed training under the STCW code A- VI/1 Para 2.1. This certificate is valid for use as Master of yachts of up to 200gt on commercially and privately registered yachts until:(date of expiry).

Documents needed to apply for a standard commercial endorsement:

• Your original RYA Yachtmaster Offshore or Yachtmaster Ocean certificate of competence.
• Your Professional Practices and Responsibilities certificate.
• A commercial endorsement application form.
• A copy of your RYA Basic Sea Survival certificate or STCW Personal Survival Techniques 
• An ML5 or ENG1 medical fitness certificate.
• A passport-sized photo with your name on the back.
• The fee 

Documents needed to apply for an STCW commercial endorsement

• Your original RYA Yachtmaster Offshore or Yachtmaster Ocean certificate of competence.
• Your Professional Practices and Responsibilities certificate.
• A commercial endorsement application form.
• An ML5 or ENG1 medical fitness certificate.
• Evidence of completion of STCW courses.
• A passport-sized photo with your name on the back.
• The fee