International skipper's licences attract prestige and the prospect of a hassle-free charter. But which will you get the most out of? What are their downsides? And are they worth it? We will be comparing the 4 most recognized ones — RYA, ISSA, IYT and ASA, as well as taking a look at ICC and IPC certificates.
The good news and the bad news. The bad news is that there is no international certification recognized everywhere. The word international may give the impression that it applies to all countries, but in practice it only means more than one. The good news is that in many holiday destinations, charter companies will somehow rent you the boat on both international and national papers. Sometimes, though, it isn’t easy.
That's why it's important to check the validity of a country's certificate beforehand. When travelling on your own, you’ll have no choice but to Google it. But if you rent a boat through yachting.com, it will be completely hassle-free. We can help you with the certificate, or arrange it for you with the charter company.
Is an international certification worth it?
Now you're probably wondering what the advantage of international certification is. First of all, the quality and depth of the training. The programs are demanding (we won't lie), but when you complete them, it means you’ll actually know something. The courses also open doors to further your sailing education and to the global community. All four associations offer skipper's licences from inshore to ocean sailing. Today, we'll compare the basic ones that are the perfect starting point for new skippers.
Royal Yachting Association (RYA)
The criteria of the British Royal Yachting Association (RYA) are so stringent that they hold the reputation of being the most prestigious certification. Even the most basic RYA Day Skipper qualifies a captain for recreational and commercial sailing. It is fair to add here, however, that the conditions of employment as a skipper are governed by the laws of each individual country. The course is only available from certified partners, such as yachting.com. Strict requirements from the RYA and a sophisticated system of online study materials ensure the same quality of teaching globally.
RYA Day Skipper
As a captain you will gain a basic understanding of navigation, meteorology and the rules of the sea. You can then skipper a sailing vessel up to 15 m in coastal waters up to 20 miles on a day passage. The higher level RYA Coastal Skipper certification is required for night sailing.
Recommended experience: At least 5 days and 4 night hours on a boat and 100 nm underway, which is roughly equivalent to the RYA Competent Crew beginners course.
Validity: Unlimited
Minimum age: 16 years
Where to go: UK, Austria, France, Italy, Spain, Germany, Netherlands, the Czech Republic and other locations
Course time: 6-day practical course + 4 days of theoretical instruction.
YACHTING.COM TIP: An interesting option for those who don’t wish to be a captain is the RYA Competent Crew course, which trains complete beginners and develops them into full-fledged crew members. It is common practice for them to mix with future Day Skippers on practical courses which benefits everyone. Skippers get to try captaining straight away and the crew get to experience different captains with different outlooks.
International Sailing School Association (ISSA)
The ISSA is an association that brings together sailing schools all over the planet. Thanks to this, and the fact that, along with the RYA, it is one of the oldest maritime certifications, it has managed to negotiate acceptance of its certificates almost everywhere you can think of. Its teaching system is not as sophisticated as the RYA's, but its quality and depth is on a similar standing. As well as English, tuition is available in the language of the sailing school's home country.
Inshore Skipper
As a skipper you can operate a boat up to 24 m in coastal waters up to 20 miles, both day and night. The course includes instruction and a radio exam (VHF/SRC), which is always a plus.
Recommended experience: Experience at least at ISSA Yacht Crew level, i.e. 3 days at sea
Validity: Unlimited
Minimum age: 16 years
Where to go: UK, Ibiza, Cyprus, Montenegro, Poland, Russia and other locations
Course time: Approximately 10–14 days depending on the school. Practice and theory can be taught separately or on a practical course
International Yacht Training (IYT)
The US-Canadian IYT was created as an alternative to the RYA and offers similar courses and credentials. However, it distinguishes between certificates for recreational sailing and for pro skippers and crew (recreational and superyacht). Teaching standards are high and courses meet ISO standards. However, again, it should be added that they may not be in accordance with the laws of the country you are sailing through.
International Bareboat Skipper
The certificate is comparable to the RYA Day Skipper and allows you to sail a sailboat up to 24 m up to 20 miles offshore, but again only in the daytime. To obtain the certificate you need a radio course (VHF/SRC).
Recommended experience: Knowledge to at least IYT International Crew Certificate level and a full 10 days and 200 nm.
Validity: 5 years, then renewal required.
Minimum age: 16 years
Where to go: UK, France, Austria, Poland, Slovakia, Croatia and other locations
Course time: 10-day practical course (6 days with Crew Certificate) + self-study of theory online (access to material for 2 months includes radio).
American Sailing Association (ASA)
The US Coast Guard also vouches for the quality of ASA instructors and instruction. However, the length of the practical courses is almost half that of the others and the ASA lags behind in the number of online theory courses. ASA is most suitable for sailing in North America. For Europe you’ll need to upgrade to the International Proficiency Certificate (IPC). This is where ASA comes back into play. In fact, it is commonly accepted in popular European sailing destinations.
Bareboat Cruising
As a skipper, you can captain a boat up to 15 m in coastal waters up to 20 miles in good weather. The course teaches night sailing and the use of the radio (VHF).
Recommended experience: Knowledge of at least ASA 101, Basic Keelboat Sailing and ASA 103, Basic Coastal Cruising and at least 6 days at sea.
Validity: 5 years, then renewal required.
Minimum age: 16 years
Where to go: Greece, Croatia, Canary Islands and other locations
Course time: Approximately 6 days depending on the school. Practice and theory can be taught separately or on a practical course.
Interim comparison
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How much do international licences cost
There is no easy answer to this question. The fact that the courses are held all over the world means that location is reflected in the price. The associations themselves do not publish prices and the schools certified by them only sometimes include in the price the additional costs of issuing the certificate, the presence of a foreign examiner or the fees associated with hiring a teaching boat, etc. Expect a price of approximately €1,500 to €2,500. However, even an approximate price is not a reliable means of comparison, if only because certificates have different levels, value and applicability in practice. Rather, it makes sense to decide on a specific certification according to your own expectations, then choose a location and only compare the prices of providers within that location.
Domestic vs. international certificates
National skipper's certificates are issued by local authorities, it is an official document just like a driver's licence, so there are no issues for charter boats. However, international certificates from the RYA, ISSA, IYT and ASA are not official documents. Rather, they are confirmation of your sailing competence. The advantage is that you don't have to wait a month for them to be issued: just complete the course and pass the exam. You'll get your certificate practically straight away and you'll be ready to set sail within a few days. However, charter companies, insurance companies and marinas may refuse them because of local legislation that simply can't deal with the certificates (however well-known and prestigious).
According to maritime custom, the law of territorial waters, i.e. the laws of the country in which you are sailing, takes precedence. For us sailors, this is nothing new. In Croatia, for example, you can't rent a boat without a radiotelephonist's licence. The captain or one of the crew must have it. In Italy, the law requires the skipper to have a licence issued by the country of their citizenship. In the Mediterranean, Greek charters are the strictest. These can sometimes require two captain's licences on board and they have the most trouble with international certificates. On the other hand, they do tend to be most willing to make exceptions based on the skipper's logbook and experience.
YACHTING.COM TIP: The fact that they are designed as practical and theoretical preparation for an accredited exam makes their offer clear.
International Certificate of Competence (ICC)
The ICC certificate was an attempt by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe to establish a single certificate and uniform maritime rules for all. It is a separate course with practical and theoretical parts. It ends with an examination and is valid for 5 years, after which you must renew it. You can get it from the associations mentioned above except for the ASA, which has its own version of the International Proficiency Certificate (IPC). However, even here you can't avoid a bit of detective work. For example, the RYA cannot grant the ICC to citizens of some countries.
Comparison of certificates by location obtained
| RYA | ISSA | IYT | ASA (IPC) | ICC |
France | Very likely | Yes | Very likely | Yes | Yes |
Spain | Very likely | Yes | Very likely | Yes | Very likely |
Italy | Very likely | Yes | Very likely | Very likely | Yes |
Croatia | Very likely | Very likely | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Slovenia | Very likely | Yes | Very likely | Very likely | Yes |
Montenegro | Very likely | Yes | Very likely | Very likely | Yes |
Greece | Very likely | Yes | Very likely | Yes | Yes |
Turkey | Very likely | Yes | Very likely | Yes | Yes |
What to take away from the article
- Unfortunately, there is no international certification that is accepted everywhere.
- International certificates from the RYA, ISSA, IYT, ASA or ICC are not official documents issued by government bodies. They are certificates of completion of practical and theoretical instruction from a yachting association.
- Whether a charter company will accept the certificates depends on its goodwill and local laws.
- You do not need to have previous levels of association certificates to take the courses, just comparable knowledge and experience.
Choosing the right certification may not be such a big deal after all. The key is to be clear about where you want to sail and how serious you are about sailing.
How and when can you become a captain? Read more:
Not planning to take the captain's course? We can arrange an experienced captain for your vacation on a boat. Ask us.
