It is not easy for a beginner to understand skipper licenses, why they are needed, and what is behind the mysterious abbreviations like IYT or ISSA. This is a reasonable question. If you own a yacht, then in many cases no one will ask you for a license: you can manage your boat without it, though most likely you will not be able to insure it.
In this article, we will consider the first option when you need a license to charter a yacht. Well, firstly, you need to study. If you studied in a driving school, then you understand the process — there is theory and practice. The situation is similar with yachts, but there are two main approaches. Then you need to practice. The practice usually lasts days. If you pass it successfully, the instructor will issue you a license.
The International Certificate of Competence required for non-commercial yacht charter in coastal waters by many European Charter Companies must be renewed every 5 years but if you have an acceptable RYA certificate then this is in large part simply a paper exercise and will require that you provide your qualifications, a photograph and a fee. These certifications are renewable every 5 years and all instructors must attend a two day assessment on the water with an RYA Examiner. The boat will need to be surveyed making sure that it is properly equipped for use at sea.
This is known as your survey or Certificate of Fitness CoF which will need to be done annually. There are certain pieces of safety equipment that is needed on your boat, before you can go to sea. Your survey will check to see that these items are in working order.
Your Authorized dealer can arrange this survey to be done for you. That takes care of the boat, now YOU need to be legal. This is known as your Certificate of Competence CoC. To operate a vessel, smaller or equal to 9 meters with an engine larger than 15hp — jet skis included, on dams, rivers, sea and in harbors in South Africa, a skipper license is required.
The penalties for operating without a license are high and inspectors are clamping down on those operating without a license. It is possible to skip categories — i. One can start in either, the difference being the boating hours. Apart from the logical reasons, there are also other aspects to be considered.
The insurance industry will not pay out claims if the skipper does not have his Certificate of Competence, and in the event of a serious accident the uncertified skipper could be left wide open to penalty claims, no matter what the real circumstances, and finally, for those wishing to purchase a boat on finance the Certificate of Competence is a requirement of the finance houses.
So, who should be taking the exam? Everyone who owns a boat or wishes to skipper a boat, and remember that if the skipper is going to ski or wakeboard, then whoever is going to drive the boat must also be qualified.
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