Guidance

MIN 580 New route to an UK Officer of the Watch (OOW) yachts Certificate of Competency

This MIN details a new route for applicants looking to gain an UK OOW yachts, less than 3000 GT, unlimited area, II/1 Certificate of Competency.

As the average size of superyachts has increased and the superyachting industry has grown, opportunities for those working on larger yachts to gain the necessary experience on the relevant sized vessels needed to be eligible for the RYA Yachtmaster Offshore or the IYT Master of Yachts/Mate Limited 200 GT CoCs have become increasingly difficult to obtain. These CoCs are a mandatory pre-requisite for those who wish to obtain a UK Officer of the Watch (OOW) yachts, less than 3000 GT, unlimited area, II/1 CoC.

This MIN details a solution by introducing a new route that allows those working on yachts over 24 meters to count some of their sea time towards the issue of an RYA Yachtmaster Coastal CoC or IYT Master of Yachts Coastal/Mate less yachts, less than 200 GT CoC. These coastal level CoCs will allow a candidate the opportunity to progress within the industry to achieve yacht restricted Officer of the Watch (OOW), Chief Mate and Master qualifications.

This Notice is for all Owners, Masters, Deck Officers and Crews of Comercially and Privately Operated Yachts and Sail Training Vessels, and those concerned with Maritime Training and should be read alongside MSN 1858

This MIN expires on the 30th of March 2025

Published 10 October 2018
Last updated 23 November 2023 + show all updates
  1. The validity of the MIN has been extended to 30th March 2025.

  2. First published.