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RYA Day Skipper
Find out more about working commercially with an RYA Day Skipper certificate
RYA Day Skipper
If you need a Day Skipper certificate in order to work on board a commercial craft subject the MCA's codes of practice, you will need to get it commercially endorsed. You can then work on commercial vessels up to 24m in length, operating in category 5 and 6 waters - that is up to 20 miles from a nominated departure point in fine weather and daylight.
To be eligible to commercially endorse Day Skipper you will need to have completed and passed the RYA Day Skipper Shorebased course with an invalidated exam and the RYA Day Skipper practical course.
The Day Skipper theory course
The Day Skipper theory course is delivered either as an online course, or in a classroom, the minimum duration of the course is 40 hours plus the theory exam. No matter how the course is delivered the theory exam must be invigilated at an RYA training centre. To attended the course some practical experience is desirable.
The Day Skipper practical course
RYA Day Skipper practical courses can be taken in either sail or motor yachts and your certificate will be endorsed accordingly.
This is very much a hands-on course with little time to teach navigation or other theoretical subjects. During the practical course will be tested on elements of the theory during the course.
Where can you work
Our section 'Where you can work with RYA qualifications' has further information on the categorisation of waters.
Day Skipper course summary - SAIL |
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Pre-course experience |
5 days, 100 miles and 4 night hours on board a sailing yacht. |
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Assumed knowledge |
Basic sailing ability acting as crew. such as competent crew course. Navigation and theory knowledge to Day Skipper Shorebased level. The theory knowledge could ether be the Day Skipper theory course or self-study to achieve that same level prior to the course. Please note the requirement of Day Skipper Shorebased theory invigilated to commercially endorse. |
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Course content |
Preparation for sea, deck work, navigation, pilotage, meteorology, rules of the road, maintenance and repair work, engines, victualling, emergency situations, yacht handling under power, yacht handling under sail, passage making, some experience of night cruising. |
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Ability after course |
Is able to skipper a small sail cruising yacht including preparing a vessel and crew for sea, plan and make short coastal passages. To be able to demonstrate a practical understanding of IRPCS take charge on deck and below deck in emergency situations, pilotage and when manoeuvring in familiar waters by day. |
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Minimum duration |
5 days. This can be run over 5 consecutive days or run over 3 two-day weekends or 3 days plus two days. |
Day Skipper course summary - MOTOR |
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Pre-course experience |
5 days, 100 miles and 4 night hours on board a motor cruising yacht. |
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Assumed knowledge |
Basic helmsmanship ability – such as the helmsman course acting as crew onboard a motor cruiser. Navigation and theory knowledge to Day Skipper Shorebased level. The theory knowledge could ether be the Day Skipper theory course or self-study to achieve that same level prior to the course. Please note the requirement of Day Skipper Shorebased theory invigilated to commercially endorse. |
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Course content |
Preparation for sea, deck work, navigation, pilotage, meteorology, rules of the road, maintenance and repair work, engines, victualling, emergency situations, yacht handling under power, passage making, some experience of night cruising. |
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Ability after course |
Is able to skipper a small sail cruising yacht including preparing a vessel and crew for sea, plan and make short coastal passages. To be able to demonstrate a practical understanding of IRPCS take charge on deck and below deck in emergency situations, pilotage and when manoeuvring in familiar waters by day. |
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Minimum duration |
4 days. This can be run over 4 consecutive days or run over 2 two-day weekends. |