Sailing Certificates

[Options409]

Simple question i never seem to get a clear answer on. I want to get the simplest, easiest recognized sailing competency certificate. I have sailed for 30yrs and won several championships. I am a sail designer/sailmaker working with AC and VOR teams and done plenty of cruising in Australia so I don't think i need all the theory and practical... I have never bothered with certs before as i have never needed it.

I now live in Europe and Euros love certificates and formal quals... I have just purchased a yacht through the Sunsail Yacht Partnership scheme and although Sunsail do not request formal quals for owner usage, i think it would make things easier if i had them. Also, I plan to do some cruising in a few years so it makes sense for insurance reasons to have some quals. I also understand you may be requested when arriving in some countries to produce some certificate???

Anyways. Theory and practical aside, is it simply possible to go straight to the exam part? I have 1000s of miles logged on Volvo 70 for work and logged miles skippering when cruising so this is not an issue...

I am in Lanzerote at present and asked the RYA instructor here and got told i need a 5 day course... I don't want to be arrogant, but I think there isn't too much an RYA instructor can teach me that i haven't picked up working with professional yachtsmen for the last 10 years.

Anyone got a simple answer here? I don't have a lot of free time and don't want dump a bucket load of cash on some instructor to be told what i have basically invested my life in learning.

All comments appreciated.

Thanks

[jackdale]

Check the RYA website and check with them directly. I assume that with a good sailing resume that you could challenge the exams and then take a practical assessment.

RYA

You might also look into the International Certificate of Competence.

[nolatom]

What's your citizenship, and what do you plan to do with the cert? In the US, all the certificates in the world from sailing schools won't allow you to carry "passengers for hire", for which a Coast Guard license as operator or master is required.

Don't know about other countries. Around here, the "simplest" certificate may be the ASA basic keelboat cert.

[zibadun]

In the US you can take challenge exams at ASA and they probably would love to have you join as the instructor.

from their site:
The ASA "Challenge"
Sailors who consider themselves qualified to ASA Standards may "Challenge" the ASA Standards at any ASA Certification Facility. To challenge the Standards one must progress successfully through the ASA system of Standards. Contact ASA or the nearest ASA Certification Facility for a list of ASA Training Facilities near you.

[LinekinBayCD]

Originally Posted by Options409

I now live in Europe and Euros love certificates and formal quals... I have just purchased a yacht through the Sunsail Yacht Partnership scheme and although Sunsail do not request formal quals for owner usage, i think it would make things easier if i had them. Also, I plan to do some cruising in a few years so it makes sense for insurance reasons to have some quals. I also understand you may be requested when arriving in some countries to produce some certificate???

What "things" will it make easier? I have charter 60+ boats and never have needed ant certificate. Did not need one for insurance when I purchased a boat. Don't know about "arriving in some countries". You might want to be more specific about what countries you are interested in visiting. Don't need it for the US as far as I know. Don't waist your time.

[jackdale]

Originally Posted by LinekinBayCD

What "things" will it make easier? I have charter 60+ boats and never have needed ant certificate. Did not need one for insurance when I purchased a boat. Don't know about "arriving in some countries". You might want to be more specific about what countries you are interested in visiting. Don't need it for the US as far as I know. Don't waist your time.

The OP is from Europe. The US requirements may be very different.

Many countries require visiting yachtsmen to hold a certificate of competence. If you are planning to sail or cruise within Europe and the Mediterranean the RYA recommends skippers hold the International Certificate of Competence (ICC). This is particularly true in Croatia where laws have recently changed and skippers are required to hold a valid ICC (International Certificate of Competence) or RYA Day Skipper certificate or higher.

In Canada, a certificate of some sort will get you a discount on insurance. You also need a Pleasure Craft Operator's Certificate, if you are Canadian or are in the country for 45 days.

[HDChopper]

This thread is very interesting ! more please MORE

[jackdale]

HD

What are you looking for?

[HDChopper]

All angles on the matter , personally I find it hard to believe there are so many ppl without cert. sailing .

Just wanting to see how many chim in to do a litle analysis of the situation , as I soon will be buying my boat and plan on getting a few courses under my belt soon ( not many here in AZ lol )
But after reading all I could find in the seaman threads and readng the rules of the road and the links you put there (and others) there is so much to remember let alone all the day flag and lighting required for night It's crazy to thing any new sailer could just go do it withut cert. not you OP you have plenty of years under your belt ...

Nothing special Jackdale just paying atten

Believe it or not I have built ultralights & light planes and flown them without any training but I wouldnt dare sail without any training ..in the air everyone has room to stay away from each other .. BUT in the waterways that isnt possible to stay away from all other water craft let alone the reef / land at the same time!

[zibadun]

here in MD everyone born after 1972 is required to pass a safety course/exam and carry a card to operate any vessel with a motor. I'm not sure why they picked 1972 as a cut off though. This is the only required "cert". $25 if you take online boat us will give an insurance discount - so really it's free and may actually save your life