RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Coastal
RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Coastal Certificate of Competence
Coastguard Boating Education administers Certificates of Competence and examines candidates on behalf of the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) and Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA). Examiners are independent assessors and cannot be involved in the training of candidates.
Examination: Practical. Candidates will be set tasks to demonstrate their ability as a Coastal Skipper, and may also be asked questions on any part of the syllabus for all practical and shorebased courses up to Coastal Skipper.
Cost: NZ $425.00
Power/Sail conversion: NZ $220.00
Prerequisites: Experience equivalent to 30 days sea time (800 miles) including 12 night hours*, Marine Radio Operators Qualification and current First Aid Certificate.
Minimum Duration: 6 - 10 hours for one candidate. 8 - 14 for two.
*If you have a Coastal Skipper Practical Course Completion Certificate the sea time requirement is reduced to 20 days (400 miles) and 12 night hours.
Commercial Endorsements
RYA/MCA Certificates of Competence with a commercial endorsement can be used for vessels up to 200GT and as an entry into Megayacht qualifications.
Cost: NZ $70.00
Renewal: Maximum of five years
RYA/MCA Commercial Endorsement
Available as an endorsement to RYA/MCA Certificates of Competence; Yachtmaster Coastal; Yachtmaster Offshore; Yachtmaster Ocean; and Advanced Powerboat.
Candidates will need to supply the following paperwork:
- A Seafarers Medical Certificate ENG 1; ML 5; or a Maritime New Zealand Medical Certificate.
- A Sea Survival Certificate; STCW; Coastguard Boating Education Advanced Sea Survival Certificate; or an RYA Sea Survival certificate.
MCA Guidance Notes regarding RYA certificates of competence and commercial endorsements
MCA MGN 280 covers the certification required to operate commercially operated pleasure and other small vessels (both sail & power) up to 24m. The MCA utilise seven categories/areas of operation. Manning (skipper certification required) is listed in Table 1 (P.124), with full detail in Annex 3 (P.118 – 126).
MCA MSN 1802 (M) pertains to larger commercially operated yachts/pleasure vessels (sail & power) over 24m, up to 3,000gt.
Annex A (P.19) details the manning scale for sail & motor yachts. Yachtmaster Offshore with a commercial endorsement with a Yachtmaster Coastal (previously termed ‘Coastal Skipper’) as Mate allows the holder to act as Master of a sail or power yacht up to 200gt, up to 150nm from a safe haven.
MCA Links:
http://www.mcga.gov.uk/c4mca/mgn_280-2.pdf
http://www.mcga.gov.uk/c4mca/a7_1802_final-2.pdf
Seafarers Medical Certificate
To obtain a ENG 1 or an ML 5 contact:
Parnell Medical Centre
1st Floor
82B Gladstone Road
Parnell
Auckland 1052
Phone: (09) 377 4427
Fax: (09) 377 4429
Email: reception@parnellmedical.co.nz
Maritime New Zealand Medical Certificate
To obtain a Maritime New Zealand Medical Certificate click here for the approved practitioners.Contact
Email: info@cbes.org.nz





