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Yacht Crew Certifications

There are two certifications every single yacht crew member must have — STCW and ENG1. Everything else depends on your role and ambition. Here's the full picture, clearly explained.

Mandatory — no exceptions

Without these, you cannot legally work

International maritime law requires all commercial vessel crew to hold STCW Basic Safety Training and an approved seafarer medical (ENG1 or equivalent). No captain can legally put you to work at sea without these. Get them first.

STCW guide ENG1 guide
Optional — career boosters

These increase your value and earning potential

RYA qualifications, WSET wine certificates, food hygiene certs, VHF radio licences, dive qualifications — these are optional at entry level but increasingly expected as you progress. They directly affect your employability and salary.

RYA courses
Full cert guides

The certifications that matter

📋

STCW Basic Safety Training

Mandatory for all commercial crew. A 5-day course covering fire fighting, sea survival, first aid, and personal safety. Must be completed before working commercially at sea. Cost: approximately £500–750.

Full STCW guide
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ENG1 Medical Certificate

The seafarer fitness medical required for all commercial crew. A 30-minute appointment with an approved doctor. Valid for 2 years. Cost: approximately £100–150. Book early — some areas have waits.

Full ENG1 guide
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RYA Courses

The RYA runs the qualifications most valued by deck crew — Powerboat Level 2, VHF Radio, Day Skipper, and Yachtmaster. Optional but each one increases your hire-ability and earning potential.

RYA courses guide
At a glance

All certifications compared

A quick reference table covering all the certifications relevant to entry-level and experienced yacht crew.

Certification Who needs it Duration Approx. Cost Valid for Priority
STCW Basic Safety Training All crew (mandatory) 5 days £500–750 5 years (refresher) Essential
ENG1 Medical Certificate All crew (mandatory) 30 minutes £100–150 2 years Essential
VHF Short Range Certificate (SRC) Deck crew especially 1 day £100–150 Lifetime Recommended
RYA Powerboat Level 2 Deck crew 2 days £200–350 Lifetime Recommended
Food Hygiene Certificate (L2) Interior/galley crew Half day / online £20–30 3 years Recommended
WSET Level 2 Award in Wines Interior / chief stew 5 days + exam £300–500 Lifetime Beneficial
RYA Day Skipper Deck officers (progression) 5 days on water + theory £700–1,200 Lifetime Career path
RYA Yachtmaster Offshore Senior deck / officers Training + exam Variable 5 years (cert of comp) Career path
MCA OOW 500gt Officers Multiple courses + sea time £3,000–6,000+ 5 years Officer track
What to do first

The recommended order

If you're starting from zero, here's the order that makes most financial and practical sense:

  1. ENG1 Medical — Book this first. It's quick, cheap, and confirms you're physically fit to proceed. No point booking STCW if there's a medical issue to address.
  2. STCW Basic Safety Training — Do this in or near your target working location (Palma, Antibes, or Fort Lauderdale). Starting the course in the Med means you can dock walk immediately afterwards.
  3. VHF Short Range Certificate (SRC) — Add this at the same time as STCW if possible; some training centres offer them back-to-back. Essential for deck crew.
  4. Food Hygiene Level 2 — Interior crew: do this online before you leave home. Takes a few hours and costs around £25.
  5. RYA Powerboat Level 2 — Deck crew: add this as soon as you can afford it. It makes you tender-competent from day one.
  6. Everything else — Add further certs as your career and interests develop, once you're earning.
Questions about certs?

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The Palma Yacht Crew community has seen every cert question possible. Post yours in the group and you'll get honest answers from people who've done the same courses.

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