How to become a skipper
You want to learn how to sail and get your yacht skippers license. For many, the motivation for getting a skippers license are so they can charter a yacht. Likely a family holiday in the Mediterranean, possibly further afield. You may well have done a flotilla holiday or skippered charter but now want a bareboat charter and gain the flexibility to go wherever the wind takes you.
The first training ladder is focused on achieving the recognition needed to attain the Internation Certificate of Competence, widely used by charter companies as a barometer of a skippers ability. Whilst it is not a guarantee, most major companies use this as a base level.
Depending on your level of experience, you can join the training ladder at different points.
Start yachting
An introduction to sailing and the enjoyment of a weekend on the water.
RYA Essential Navigation
The RYA Essential Navigation and Seamanship online course provides a great introduction to navigation and safety awareness for new or inexperienced skippers and crew. In fact, it’s for anyone interested in sailing, motor boating, sea angling or diving, and works well in complementing the RYA on-the-water training, such as the Competent Crew courses.
Competent Crew
RYA Competent Crew is a popular starting point in the yacht cruising syllabus. This course is for beginners and those who would like to become an active crew member rather than just a passenger.
You’ll spend 5 days on a boat learning the ropes including how to hoist the sails, helming and other jobs needed to help run a yacht.
RYA Day Skipper theory
RYA Day Skipper theory is a comprehensive introduction to navigation and cruising for new skippers providing the necessary tools to ensure you put out to sea safely. The course provides a solid foundation in boat safety, charts and navigation techniques including integrated navigation using both paper and electronic chart plotter (GPS) tools.
RYA Day Skipper Practical
The RYA Day Skipper practical is a course for aspiring skippers with some yachting experience, basic navigation and sailing skills. The course is run in a safe, but fun and friendly environment with the objective to build confidence in your skippering ability.
International Certificate of Competence (ICC)
This is as an administrative exercise to convert your RYA Day Skipper practical certificate into an ICC.
The ICC is generally recognised by Yacht charter companies as proof you are capable of safely skippering a sailing yacht.