Guessed €25,000 and five years so not too far away. I can imagine these certs result in a healthy job market for those in the middle and top tiers. Wish I was young enough to start over, but at 46 with a dodgy back and a tendency to drop fragile things I don't think I'm any master's idea of a good prospect for a new deckhand!
@James Matthews Excellent guess! There's plenty of competition at the top for Captain's positions, but senior officers certainly have a lot of options. Your mention of a "tendency to drop fragile things" made me laugh. Probably not ideal on deck!
I was totally far out! 😂😂 I thought it would be at least 8 to 10 years to accrue hours and close to a million Euros. But then I was thinking about Superyachts longer than 35m. (Think big Luersson's and the like!)
What can I say Matt that your other viewers, haven't, nothing. Clear, concise, straight to the point and well as a viewer I can tell that you know your stuff, and if there is something you don't know you will research it, to find out. This video did not need humour, you had our attention from start to finish. If I was was an owner needing a Chief Officer or Captain, this video definitely would have me seriously looking at you as a candidate for sure. I don't know how you keep creating interesting content like you do. Keep it up. Hey your at 1.82K Subscribers, congrats it seems to be growing a little faster.
Thank you, Frank! Another fantastic comment, and I really appreciate it. The channel has grown a lot in the last month, and I'm happy to see that people continue to find value in all of the content, both new and old.
I'm currently doing several courses in preparation for working in this industry - a lot of my research involves career progression as I want to create an efficient and streamlined course of action for myself. Finding your channel was a blessing, you are very thorough with your explanations and answer every single one of my many questions about the industry - thank you very much!
Eye opening video. Delighted to have done the cadetship route and got my OOW unlimited! Cost me £300 in total and that was just the Power Boat Level 2.
Hello sir ,, I’m from INDIA Currently I’m sailing in offshore vessels As a able seamen and I’m completed total 38months of sea service,, soo as I said in previous comment,, I want to step into YACHT life and as OOW..I have seen the courses and their duration as you mentioned in above video NOW please clarify me what are the steps..? For me please suggest
@Veda Kumar You could get your OOW qualification working in the merchant navy, and then move into the yachting industry. In this case, experience working on cruise ships and passenger ferries would be best. If you'd like to move into yachting immediately, you'll need to start by finding a job as a yacht deckhand. I'd recommend signing up online with yacht crew agencies and then having a look at their job advertisements. You can find out more here: ruclips.net/video/2BweYh_AJPE/видео.html I've included links to some well known agencies in the description of that video. Another way to look for work is by basing yourself in a yachting destination; this is how the majority of new crew get started in the industry. Once you do find work as a deckhand you'll then need to go through the program of training described in this, "How to be a Yacht Captain" video.
I better start saving so that my son can take those courses if he actually wants to be a captain. He did say that he wanted to be one so that people could say "ay, ay Captain" to him.
Haha, the best motivation to become a Captain! The good thing is that once you get started in yachting, you've generally got plenty of expendable income. Added to this is the knowledge that paying for courses and climbing the ranks will increase your salary. Some yachts also have a training budget, and will give you bonuses by way of paying for your courses.
If your son can pass the MCA medical or any equivalent STCW medical (especially for colour vision testing); then given the time and costs to obtain a master 3000-ton certificate, would not you think it would be a better route to have your son take courses toward a CPL (commercial pilot's license)? I find the time duration (>34 months) long and the costs €34k to be extremely high. To do a CPL in Canada, from PPL to the actual CPL (bare bones) would cost in the vicinity of C$70k and take 18 months. The price tag, all told, to obtain a MCA Yachtmaster 3000-ton certificate, being approx. €34k = C$50k, for the extra C$20k, ending up with a CPL. Given the severe shortages worldwide of pilots in commercial aviation, perhaps that route might be more advantageous. In any case, there are and will be continued shortages of qualified personnel in both the commercial marine (master, mate & engineer) & aviation (pilot, mechanic & air traffic controller) industries. It is a very good time for young (or even middle-aged) people to enter either of these industries. Best of luck to your son!
Thanks Amanda! It's a lot of information to take in, but I think that makes it all the better for helping new deck crew understand the journey that lies ahead!
so glad in germany most doenst exists and the courses are often cheaper :) the largest boating license is the SHS here and for these courses you mostly need experience, no TRB just mailage required. or you go the university route which is 8 semesters (free) and you are allowed to comand everything...
And, don't forget all the money needed for travel and accommodation to the cost of the training too. Something people often forget to factor into the investment in their career.
Hi James, and thank you for commenting. You're exactly right! Aside from the cost, it's easy to fall off track when working your way through all these courses and exams. The cadetship just keeps you moving in the right direction, and ultimately gets you there quicker.
@@WorkonaSuperyacht I worked on yachts many years ago in Fort Lauderdale but your videos are inspiring, it makes me want to start a career working on the yachts much to the consternation of my partner lol.
@James Langan I'm thrilled to hear that you think the videos are inspiring; thank you! How long were you working on yachts for, and how far did you get with your training?
Hello Nicholas, and thanks for your comment. There have been a lot of requests for this, but I need to spend some more time reading up on the subject before making a video. In the meantime, you can download Merchant Shipping Notice 1859 from the following link, which will tell you all the requirements: www.gov.uk/government/publications/msn-1859-mf-uk-requirements-for-engineer-officers-on-large-yachts-over-24m
Well done video! Let me add the grey cost of unemployment during the courses, accomodation, food, travel etc. Some yachts help their crew moving through the ranks, most (smaller ones?) don't. In my case expect the cost to nearly double... Keep up the good work!
Hello Derrick, and thank you for adding this. I've had a couple of courses paid for, and I think it's a fantastic incentive to offer crew who stay with the same yacht for a long time.
Hello Matthew! As i see I need more time and soo much money 🙂 Your video is great, as always! Right now I'm learning ISPS code. Tomorrow I will have exam. I spend my all free time for improve sea's skills. I'm waiting new cool movie! 🤝 And thanks for new year present 👍
Thanks Alex! How did your exam go, and which exam were you taking? As for the cost of moving up the ranks, once you've got your first yacht job it should be possible to put plenty of money aside to pay for everything. In addition, some yachts will help you out with the cost of courses.
@@WorkonaSuperyacht Hi Matthew! You right! One day, one day! ))) Yes, I passed my exam!!! On 97% That was be PDSD (STCW VI-AVI-2 - Security) I wait new video!
That was an enlightening video. I did not realize there are so many courses to take on the way to captains licence. I assume it is more or less similar in the US, South Africa and other places besides Europe. I guess my next question is this, does the employer pay for any of these courses, even if it is the recurring courses? My last question is about the road to 3000 GT Captain. What is the most common, start as Captain on a smaller yacht say ~100 feet then go on to progressively larger yachts, or to land the first captain position on a big yacht as a result of being promoted when the current captain leaves? Thank you and be safe!
Hello Ron, and thank you for commenting. The process I have described is for gaining qualifications through the MCA (Maritime and Coastguard Agency) in the UK. Other countries have their own agencies that serve the same function, but qualifications acquired through the MCA are some of the most well-recognised worldwide. Regardless, whichever country you gain your qualifications in, they must conform to STCW standards. Some yachts will help with the cost of these courses. A training budget may even be used as an incentive when hiring new crew members. After all, it's a benefit to them to have better qualified crew. If a yacht does pay for some of your courses, it will often be on the condition that you stay for at least 12 months after completing the course. As for the route to Master 3000, I'd say the more popular option is to start working as a deckhand on large yachts, and stay with large yachts whilst building your experience, gaining qualifications, and climbing the ranks. This has the benefit of giving a Captain an understanding of the more junior deck crew roles that he/she will eventually be managing.
Very interesting video. Really shows the amount of work and effort required to become a yacht Captain. Would you be able to do a similar style video but showing the courses and time needed to become a Chief engineer?
Thank you Zach! My knowledge of the engineering certificates is not nearly as comprehensive, but this is something I will start reading up on in order to be able to make a similar video. In the meantime, download MSN 1859 from the following link in order to see exactly what is required: www.gov.uk/government/publications/msn-1859-mf-uk-requirements-for-engineer-officers-on-large-yachts-over-24m You'll notice that engineering qualifications are based around engine power as well as gross tonnage. At the end of the document you'll find some flow charts, which really help you to understand each step.
wow, never thought it was so much work/courses. Personally, I have GMDSS/GOC and certified up to 40M/200GT but not commercially yachts only private yachts
Great video Matthew, I believe D spent about €30k on courses to get his Master 3000. There are a couple of new courses since then. What you didn't go into was the cost of flights and accommodation to go do all these courses which I estimate at around another €15k... And I don't even want to think about all the lost income 😱! Often you don't want to use up all your leave for courses so end up banging them out over a couple of months between jobs. Refuse to factor these costs in 😂😂😂
Thanks Leah! You're absolutely right about needing to factor in the additional cost of flights, accommodation, and lost income. 15K is probably about right; maybe a little more if you like to travel in style!
Another great video with so much detail. In one of your videos (and I'm sorry that I can't remember which), you said that you had a vibrating watch to use as an alarm without waking others. Can you share which one you use and whether you would recommend it. Thanks
Hello Martin, and it's great to hear that you're still enjoying the videos. My watch is a Garmin Vivoactive 3, and I love it! It's a GPS watch, and for me as a runner it's perfect. They're onto the Vivoactive 4 now, along with a similar model called Venu. However, if you're just after the vibrating alarm function then some of their other models do the same. I believe other brands will also have this function.
I come from a military background, This doesn’t seem atleast on the surface as much of a commitment as much as it may seem to some people. If you want it, you could get it.
Fantatsic video! Ive watched a few now and this was my favorite. Just a quick question. Does it matter whether you go IYT or RYA? Can you comment on this please cause I've been getting mixed reviews. Many thanks!
Thanks Kasheema! Some people will tell you that IYT is better, and others prefer RYA. If you're working towards the MCA Master 200 and beyond, I don't think it really matters; both are accepted. I did the RYA Yachtmaster Offshore; however, I will do the IYT Master of Yachts Unlimited. This is because I find the process of getting the RYA Yachtmaster Ocean less straightforward. One advantage of the IYT qualifications is that they are recognised as commercial qualifications. The RYA ones aren't, and you must get them commercially endorsed.
Thanks Freddie! There have been a lot of requests for this, but I need to spend some more time reading up on the subject before making a video. In the meantime, you can download Merchant Shipping Notice 1859 from the following link, which will tell you all the requirements: www.gov.uk/government/publications/msn-1859-mf-uk-requirements-for-engineer-officers-on-large-yachts-over-24m
Brilliant video Matt, do you think you’ll do a video talking about some of your experiences or stories over your time in the super yacht industry? Would love to hear about your beginning deckhands days and maybe a handful of tips for beginners? Looking to make my start in the industry next year, your videos have been the best thing I could of asked for!
Thanks Euan! It's so encouraging to hear that you've found these videos helpful. I really appreciate your video suggestion. I have a long list to get through, but will nevertheless add this one! Good luck with your preparations for joining the industry, and I look forward to continue supporting you with these videos.
It's clear, that you are truly devoted to this project :) Just one question-How long does it approximately take to accomplish 48 months sea time? I guess it depends, but is it possible to estimate the time? Best regards from Czech Republic :)
Thank you, Jonáš. Yes, the number of days at sea will depend entirely on the yacht. On one yacht, I managed to log 192 days at sea over a 12 month period. On another yacht, I only managed to log 27 days over a 12 month period.
@@WorkonaSuperyacht Woah, that seems it takes a plenty of time to log 36 months... I` ve been considering engineering dept. for some time but to get the "Second engineer >9000 kW; >3000 GT" according to the new qualification standards, I would need to have 36 months as an engineer... That requires also plenty of patience, I suppose...
@Jonáš Říha It's important to differentiate between actual sea going service, and onboard service. At least for the OOW 3000, you need 36 months onboard service, but only 365 days of actual sea going service. Onboard service is just time signed onto a yacht. In my previous comment, I was talking about actual sea going service. The onboard service would have been more like 21 months. Double check if you need onboard service, or sea going service. I hope that makes sense!
I combined my guess with a bachelor’s or a master’s university degree. Won’t costs increase every year? Thank you so much for making this awesome video, Matthew!
Thank you Mitchell! Yes I think the total cost is comparable to that of an English university degree. I haven't tracked course prices, but it would be reasonable to assume that they'll increase each year.
Plop, this course is the STCW95, proficiency and security awareness is not included in the 5 days course, they will ask for one extra day and around 300 usd to get this certification, a.k.a. STCW10
Great vid. Any recommendation on how I go about transferring my Swedish certificates to the MCA? (Not master mariner) Witch department within the MCA should I contact, so they could tell me witch of my courses are viable and transferable to MCA. Thanks a bunch....
Thanks Christian! My guess would be that the MCA Seafarer Training & Certification department will be able to answer your question. If not, they should be able to transfer you to the correct department. Phone lines are currently closed, but go to the following link and scroll to the bottom for all of the relevant email addresses: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/maritime-and-coastguard-agency This information could be really useful to others, so I'd be interested to hear how you get on.
Amazing video. Btw on an unrelated topic to the video when dock walking instead of wearing deck shoes could you wear a pair of smart trainers or deck trainers.
Hello David. Deck (or boat) shoes are great because they look right, and are comfortable to walk in all day. If you'd like to wear something different, just make sure they still meet the criteria for smart casual.
How much do you think I will save of that if I study bachelor of maritime management (captain). And is that a good route if I want to be an yacht captaib one day?
the price evaluation is good but you forgot to mention all the time spent studying...You mentionned this 5 days, this 5 days... 5 days...etc, but it takes weeks of preparation and those 5 days are just finals to review everything and pass the exams. All you said is regulary done after at least a good 10 years. Myself , I never paid anything, got a job as cook on cargo ships with the filipinos !!
Excellent video, thank you mate. One question, as someone entirely new to the field: to what degree is math skills relevant to the job? I am fair in communication & learning ability, but I am not the sharpest when it comes to maths. Cheers.
Hello Evan. Mathematical ability will help you out when it comes to navigation, but a basic level is sufficient. It would also be of benefit if you chose to work in the engineering department. In the UK, minimum entry requirements for some cadet ship programmes require grades A to C in GCSE Maths, English, and Science. I suggest that if you were at this level then you’d have no problem following the programme of training that I describe in this video.
Well! That was a splash of cold water in the face video, Matthew! A dose of reality was what I probably needed just before I send my Merchant Mariner Certification application for Entry Level Ordinary Seaman, tomorrow. . . Ending at the bottom! :-) Similarly, my dad was told in the Marine Corps: “Now, you’re one level above whale poo!”
Thanks for it! Very well explained and clearly displayed. I have a question, is it possible to move up through the ranks by being employed as a captain starting from small vessels such as less than 24m then progress in size in the same position? Or it would be necessary to step down and get the trb completed and signed out?a
Thanks Damiano. Yes, you can move up through the ranks as a captain starting on smaller yachts. It is my understanding that your training record book can be signed by you, as the captain; however, you must be in possession of a valid CoC to do this (either commercially endorsed Yacthmaster, or MCA Master 200). There may also be some other requirements such as a letter from your management or owning company, declaring that you are signed on as captain. I'd suggest you double check all of this with the MCA. Their phone lines aren't open at the moment, but if you scroll to the bottom of the following link, you'll find email addresses for the seafarer training and certification department: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/maritime-and-coastguard-agency The answer to this question may be very helpful to others, so I'd be interested to hear how you get on.
Hey Matt I hope all is going well! In answer to this: Dear sir/lady I hope you are well I'm an Italian citizen and I'm currently holding the MCA master 200gt certificate. My aim is to get the higher CoC MCA OOW 3000gt more forward. I've been working as captain on a pleasure vessel less than 24m in lenght and less than 80gt since 2017. Sizewise ,will the seatime spent onboard this vessel be valid for get the minimum requirements? Secondly, am I able to self sign the TRB while working here, maybe with the boat's owner letter of testimonial? or It has to be signed by another captain that I wonder If I will have to work for? Thanks in advance Kindest Regards Damiano Their answer: Dear Sir Thank you for your email. To apply for a NOE (Notice of Eligibility) for Officer of the Watch (Yachts, Less than 3000gt unlimited), you would need to provide the following items: Completed application form - MSF 4343. (Please download from our website at: www.gov.uk/government/publications/certificate-of-competency-yacht-deckmsf-4343) Fee of £220 Evidence of at least 36 months onboard Yacht service on any size vessel, including not less than 365 days sea service on vessels over 15m in length. At least 250 of the 365 days must be Actual Sea service; the remaining balance of 115 days can be a combination of further Actual sea service, standby service (up to a maximum of 14 consecutive days in one period) or Yard service (to a maximum of 90 days overall). We require one overall form of evidence for your sea service - sea service testimonials or a PYA/Nautilus Logbook - providing that it states all of the information we require. All evidence should state: vessel name, particulars, onboard/sign on and off dates, as well as a breakdown of Actual, Standby and Yard service. An assessment of your sea service and eligibility will only be undertaken when we receive a full application from you. We cannot assess any sea time or documentation prior to submission of an application. For information about sea service and how this is considered, please refer to MSN 1858 www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/436506/MSN1858.pdf . MCA Training Record Book (TRB) This must be completed in real time, with tasks signed off as and when you complete them. TRB’s are available to download from our website at www.gov.uk/government/publications/yacht-training-record-book-trb If you have completed 1080 days of Actual Sea Service, verifiable by your evidence, then you do not need to complete a TRB. All 4 elements of your STCW 95 Basic Training certification (Personal Survival Techniques, Elementary First Aid, Personal Safety & Social Responsibilities, Fire Prevention & Fire Fighting). An attested copy of your Passport Guidance regarding who can attest your Passport can be found on page 7 of the application form. 2 attested passport photographs on a plain white background. Guidance regarding who can attest your photos can be found on page 7 of the application form. Your IYT Master of Yachts Limited COC and Shorebased course, or; Your RYA Yacht Master Offshore COC and Shorebased course certificate. For further guidance about the application please refer to MSN 1858. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 situation we are currently unable to accept any applications via post. Please submit all applications and supporting documents via email. Please note that scanned copies of supporting documents are currently acceptable. Please note this is subject to change, visit our webpage to stay up to date with the latest information - Click here. Please email your application to deck@mcga.gov.uk Regards
Hi matt, I was just wondering as someone coming out of college within the year and would like to work as a deck hand but is not able to walk on the dock and ask for jobs due to location at the time would you say there is say there is still a high demand for those who will get jobs from agencies after obtaining the correct certifications?
Hello. Trying to get a job through an agency when you have no previous experience isn't impossible, but it significantly reduces your chances of getting started.
Great video Matt. Very helpful. Does anyone know if the yacht master sail will help with progression, even if working on a motor yacht? Or will I have to go get the yacht master converted?
@@WorkonaSuperyacht thanks mate. I’m in Australia, and started doing the yacht master sail here, planing on going to the med in 2025. I just didn’t want to do the wrong one and waste my time
My pleasure. Don't worry, you're doing the right course. And the Yachtmaster sail is more difficult due to the practical nature of sailing, so you'll learn to be a more accomplished crew member.
Is it possible if you have OOW certificate by working in merchant vessels that do worldwide routes to transition as an OOW in yachts without any previous experience in yachts ? Or will you need additional courses and sea experience in this type of vessels.
Me thinking i can become a captain without spending more than 15000 euros. But its still very doable and inexpensive looking at how much a pilot pays for their PPL and their license to fly passengers and training
Is the MCA Master 200 the equivalent to the french brevet capitaine 200? And I wonder if you know what could be the equivalent of "certificat Matelot de Pont" (France)?, I just finnish the 3 months course and I have been looking what could be the equivalent, and the closest thing would be like "French able deckhand". Thx for your videos! I have learned a lot about the yacht industry with you and fully motivated for my first yacht position:D
Hello JJ DL. I'm not sure, but yes the brevet capitaine 200 does sound equivalent to the MCA Master 200. The MCA Master 200 isn't yacht specific, and can be used on other types of vessel. Is this the same for the brevet capitaine 200? From the very small amount of research that I've just done, the certificat Matelot de Pont sounds equivalent to the MCA Able Seafarer. Have a look at that and see how it compares. I'm glad to hear that you've learnt so much from the channel, and I hope to be able to continue supporting you in your yachting career.
Hi Guys, I am also a french deckhand actually studying in SOF for the same « matelot de pont » but i have 3+ years experience in the Industry so will give the answer. So Yes the capitaine 200 is the equivalent of the MCA master 200 (can be also used on every vessels) but you will had to ask/pay for it . To keep going the Certificat de matelot de pont is not very very « recognized » in the Industry as the EDH course so In my opinion the best thing to do is to validate and to step up straight to the capitaine 200 ( as a english crew member you may not know but in France the government can pay for your french courses BUT they are STCW so once you got it you just pay for a COC and you save a big amount of money)
@@yanisalem8820 thanks for the answers, they really help me clear my mind about it. I live in the SOF, and if u feel like getting in contact let me know :D
What do you think about going to a maritime college? 4 years and you will be out with a 3rd mate USCG license of unlimited tonnage? If get my license in that I know I can work in cargo ships but my question is am I eligible to work in supper yachts?
Hi thank you your video is very informative and helpful where can I look for engineering and mechanical engineering endorsements certificate courses to look for where I could look for online to start to become certified been a mechanic myself 38 years thank you very much
Is it really possible to do the power boat level 2 in 2 days? I have done some research and found a course in my area that takes 6 afternoon classes of theorie lessons plus several practical ones. Is it possible that that is the wrong power boat course?
I don’t know anything about yachts or foreign ships and licenses, but I find 60 months to be truly unbelievable. I’m the US we have to have sea time and even working 180 days a year on a commercial ship that almost never stops it takes many many years to get the 1080 days underway to upgrade from an AB to a 3rd mates license. Judging by the fact that at least the yachts I see are moored considerably more then they are underway, it seem like it would basically be impossible to accumulate the sea time working on one?
There are a couple of reasons why it takes less time to get yacht CoCs. The first is that the majority of positions aren't rotational, especially in the junior ranks. This means that a crew member working towards a yacht OOW CoC will be on board for about 300 days per year. In addition, you only need 3 years of on board service and 250 days of sea service (plus 115 days of sea service, yard service, or stand by service) to be eligible for a yacht OOW CoC. As you say, this is significantly less than the 1080 days of sea service that is required for an unlimited (commercial) OOW CoC. Moving forward from yacht OOW to yacht Master, the service requirements are again less than in the commercial sector.
@@WorkonaSuperyacht Thanks that’s very interesting. It’s a lot worse then 1080 days to go from an OS to master unlimited here in the US. More like 5,000 days. A day here is a minimum of 8 hours underway! That is unless you went to a merchant marine academy and came out in 4 years with a 3rd mate or engineers unlimited tonnage/horsepower license. With weather delays, delays in port for unloading/loading, maintenance/repairs, and inspections your lucky to actually get 120 days a year of actual sea time working full time on a ship. I’ve been working most of my life at sea and I’m not even halfway to a masters license (other then my 100 ton chicken shit masters) as I figure it’s a minimum of a 30 year process. I’ve come to the conclusion that I won’t live long enough to get mine.
Hello again, i guess here is the easy way to reach you. I just obtained my yachtmaster certificate from lebanon. Do you know if I can convert it to IYT master of yacht 200 or RYA yachtmaster to be able to continue fro the mca master ? Or i have to start all over again ?
Hello Johnny. I'm not sure about converting a Lebanese Yachtmaster; however, it isn't possible to convert an RYA Yachtmaster to an IYT Master of Yachts Limited, so other conversions may also be a problem. I suggest that you contact both the RYA and IYT directly to see if they can help.
You can either do a cadetship with a commercial shipping company, or you can follow the program of training that I describe in this video. In both cases, a lot of time is spent learning on-the-job. MSN 1858 and MSN 1856 can be downloaded from the links in the description, and they describe exactly how long you must spend in each rank. These qualifications are issued by the MCA, which is an agency of the UK; however, other countries issue similar qualifications.
@workonaSuperyacht I have one question am 23 years old and I finish the college of merchant ship more than 500 tons and I have already the 3 officer degree from the cyprus flag ,and am thinking to continue in yachts , if I will go I will be as OOW ?
QUESTION -- what we see on below deck Tv show... is a accurate description of the crew ??? Or over dramatized ?? Like captain Sandy in everyone’s jock 24/7 or is it really more laid back ??
Hello Bogle's Drawings. Captain's salaries vary depending on experience, size of yacht, and time spent with a particular owner. As a captain on a large yacht over 500 GT (but less than 3000 GT), an average monthly salary could be between EUR 10,000 and EUR 15,000, with the possibility for this to rise up over EUR 20,000 as you build your experience and time with an owner.
Hi, I am Sayan from INDIA working in river and costal area of india.I have licence to operate a small(not in size but depends on ENGINE BHP ) vessel.Now I wish work in UK.what are the steps to be followed? Please make a video or guide me properly.
do I need some type of GED'S? some type of exams to hold? like math ,science or anything like that? or I just get experience and get these courses and I'm set? Thank you for answer.
WOW, In Spain the most of that is public education and you can do it for free... even in my case they pay me about 5k euros / year for my good cualifications
Hello Sir, I am working in the merchant navy and would like to know how easy or hard is the transfer from merchant navy to super yachts? Do i have to start again as a deckhand for experience even if im already a second mate ?
Hello mate, im working on a yacht . Seen your video about the best bank currency to open when receiving the payroll. My question is, is there a way to open a euro account abroad where I am a forwigner? Thanks
Hello Maya. I recommend that you check out Transferwise. They offer different services depending on which country you are from. Not everyone will be able to get a debit card from them, but most should be able to receive Euros and USD.
The fastrack YM courses will get you from zero to a Yachtmaster qualification in the shortest possible time, but you'll still have to do all of the other courses mentioned in this video if you want to be a deck officer on superyachts up to 3000GT.
Hello Peter. Yes, 10 years is probably the average. If you executed the instructions in MSN 1858 perfectly then just under 6 years would be possible, but that is very uncommon.
Hello Bob. There should still be job opportunities available around this time. I didn't arrive in Antibes until early June on my first season, and although I met plenty of people who had benefited from arriving sooner, I still managed to find day work before landing a seasonal job mid July. For the Mediterranean, April/May is my recommendation, but if this isn't possible for you then a little later can still work. Just be sure to get everything prepared beforehand (CV all in order; signed up online with yacht crew agencies), and then you'll be ready to hit the ground running.
Hello thibault9741! With respect to yacht qualifications, yes you can go straight to Master 3000 without sitting the Master 500 exam. It's written on page 8 of MSN 1858, which can be downloaded from the link in the description of this video. The thing to watch out for is that some of the courses required to take this exam expire (most after 3 years, but celestial navigation after only 1 year). Additional sea service is required to sit the Master 3000 exam; if you've already taken these courses, just be careful that they don't expire in the meantime.
Hello SmartChannel, and thank you for commenting. Others have compared the route to Captain on a superyacht with the route to Captain on a commercial airliner, but I don't know how different or similar they are in practice.
Sort of, but at least with this career you are earning money as you progress through the ranks. Furthermore, airline pilot training can cost north of €100,000, so this is considerably less expensive.
Hello Johnny. To captain a yacht over 3000 GT like the two I show at the end of the video, you would need a Master Unlimited. This is the same qualification that would be required for a cruise ship, or cargo ship. You can see what is required for this qualification by downloading MSN 1856 from the following link: www.gov.uk/government/publications/msn-1856-mf-uk-requirements-for-master-and-deck-officers Some of the courses are the same, but there are notable differences in the route to achieving a Master Unlimited. I am unsure of why 3000 GT was the cut-off for yachting qualifications; but, the result is that any yacht over 3000 GT must have deck officers who have followed the Unlimited training programme.
I’ve a done merchant navy training and received an OOW CoC unlimited. I’ve got 365 sea days and all the certifications necessary. As what rank can I expect to join yachting?
Hello Valentijn. With an OOW Unlimited qualification but no previous yachting experience, it is sometimes possible to move straight into a 3rd or 2nd officer role on a very large superyacht (over 3000GT). This may be even more likely if your previous experience has been on passenger ships, where your cargo is people just as it is on a yacht. However, most yachts will favour those with previous yachting experience, and it may be necessary to instead start as a deckhand. It might seem like a backward step, but this is the best way to get a real understanding of the more junior positions that you will eventually come to manage as an officer. After 1 or 2 years, you may then be able to step up and start using your OOW Unlimited qualification. I recommend contacting Wilson Halligan, who are a yacht crew recruitment agency for some of the largest yachts: www.wilsonhalligan.com/ They will be able to give you an idea of the current job market, and what experience yachts are requesting in addition to the OOW Unlimited qualification.
Wow, my estimate was way lower than yours. But, then, what I know about yachts you could put in a thimble and not notice anything there :-) That said, well done again!
@@WorkonaSuperyacht My guess was between $4,000 & $5,000. Oh, I have learned a lot from your videos. However, I've come a little late to the table because I'm an old, old guy who lives thousands of miles away from any ocean. In fact, I never had any interest in yachts until a short time ago. Now, I cannot get enough of watching videos about them. My wife thinks I'm nuts :-)
@David Geer "My wife thinks I'm nuts"! I'm sure you're not the only husband who says that! Regardless, I'm very happy if this channel helps to satisfy your interest in yachts.
Yes, it's certainly possible! I presume that you're concerned about age, so take a look in the comments section of this video to read about the experiences of others who've done the same: ruclips.net/video/syLiuz1udzw/видео.html The first thing to do is just get started. Once you get a bit of experience you'll then be able to decide what sort of yachts you prefer working on. If it's something smaller (under 200GT) then you could potentially reach the role of captain in just a few years. Larger yachts will require you to get more experience and qualifications, but you can still progress quickly if you put your mind to it. I push Academy members to be eligible for the role of first mate on yachts under 500GT in as little as 2 years, and 2nd officer on larger yachts up to 3000GT within 4 years.
How did the final total compare to your guess?
Guessed €25,000 and five years so not too far away.
I can imagine these certs result in a healthy job market for those in the middle and top tiers.
Wish I was young enough to start over, but at 46 with a dodgy back and a tendency to drop fragile things I don't think I'm any master's idea of a good prospect for a new deckhand!
I had €20k
@James Matthews Excellent guess! There's plenty of competition at the top for Captain's positions, but senior officers certainly have a lot of options.
Your mention of a "tendency to drop fragile things" made me laugh. Probably not ideal on deck!
I was totally far out! 😂😂
I thought it would be at least 8 to 10 years to accrue hours and close to a million Euros. But then I was thinking about Superyachts longer than 35m. (Think big Luersson's and the like!)
Add 50% for food/accommodation and travel to the classes
What can I say Matt that your other viewers, haven't, nothing.
Clear, concise, straight to the point and well as a viewer I can tell that you know your stuff, and if there is something you don't know you will research it, to find out.
This video did not need humour, you had our attention from start to finish.
If I was was an owner needing a Chief Officer or Captain, this video definitely would have me seriously looking at you as a candidate for sure.
I don't know how you keep creating interesting content like you do. Keep it up.
Hey your at 1.82K Subscribers, congrats it seems to be growing a little faster.
Thank you, Frank! Another fantastic comment, and I really appreciate it. The channel has grown a lot in the last month, and I'm happy to see that people continue to find value in all of the content, both new and old.
I'm currently doing several courses in preparation for working in this industry - a lot of my research involves career progression as I want to create an efficient and streamlined course of action for myself. Finding your channel was a blessing, you are very thorough with your explanations and answer every single one of my many questions about the industry - thank you very much!
I’m confused how to start I’m 40yrs old is it still working for me mate ?
Eye opening video. Delighted to have done the cadetship route and got my OOW unlimited! Cost me £300 in total and that was just the Power Boat Level 2.
You did it the right way! It's not for everyone, but a cadetship is by far the quickest and cheapest way to get qualified.
Hello sir ,, I’m from INDIA Currently I’m sailing in offshore vessels As a able seamen and I’m completed total 38months of sea service,, soo as I said in previous comment,, I want to step into YACHT life and as OOW..I have seen the courses and their duration as you mentioned in above video NOW please clarify me what are the steps..? For me please suggest
@Veda Kumar You could get your OOW qualification working in the merchant navy, and then move into the yachting industry. In this case, experience working on cruise ships and passenger ferries would be best.
If you'd like to move into yachting immediately, you'll need to start by finding a job as a yacht deckhand. I'd recommend signing up online with yacht crew agencies and then having a look at their job advertisements. You can find out more here:
ruclips.net/video/2BweYh_AJPE/видео.html
I've included links to some well known agencies in the description of that video.
Another way to look for work is by basing yourself in a yachting destination; this is how the majority of new crew get started in the industry. Once you do find work as a deckhand you'll then need to go through the program of training described in this, "How to be a Yacht Captain" video.
I better start saving so that my son can take those courses if he actually wants to be a captain. He did say that he wanted to be one so that people could say "ay, ay Captain" to him.
Haha, the best motivation to become a Captain! The good thing is that once you get started in yachting, you've generally got plenty of expendable income. Added to this is the knowledge that paying for courses and climbing the ranks will increase your salary. Some yachts also have a training budget, and will give you bonuses by way of paying for your courses.
If your son can pass the MCA medical or any equivalent STCW medical (especially for colour vision testing); then given the time and costs to obtain a master 3000-ton certificate, would not you think it would be a better route to have your son take courses toward a CPL (commercial pilot's license)? I find the time duration (>34 months) long and the costs €34k to be extremely high.
To do a CPL in Canada, from PPL to the actual CPL (bare bones) would cost in the vicinity of C$70k and take 18 months. The price tag, all told, to obtain a MCA Yachtmaster 3000-ton certificate, being approx. €34k = C$50k, for the extra C$20k, ending up with a CPL.
Given the severe shortages worldwide of pilots in commercial aviation, perhaps that route might be more advantageous.
In any case, there are and will be continued shortages of qualified personnel in both the commercial marine (master, mate & engineer) & aviation (pilot, mechanic & air traffic controller) industries. It is a very good time for young (or even middle-aged) people to enter either of these industries. Best of luck to your son!
Dam Matt that made my head hurt. I admire your devotion.
Thanks Amanda! It's a lot of information to take in, but I think that makes it all the better for helping new deck crew understand the journey that lies ahead!
Matt this is the best explaining video to start to be a yacht captain thank you very much
Thank you! 😊
Top video , well explained
so glad in germany most doenst exists and the courses are often cheaper :) the largest boating license is the SHS here and for these courses you mostly need experience, no TRB just mailage required. or you go the university route which is 8 semesters (free) and you are allowed to comand everything...
Cool. I was looking for this information when this video wasn't yet recorded. Thank you.
Matt thank you for the video extremely helpful for someone new into the industry, keep up the good work and videos coming! Cheers
everything was clear, great video, thank you
keep it up!
Here in Croatia we have maritime university and after i finish 3 years of my university i get to pass exam for 500GT STCW II/3....
And, don't forget all the money needed for travel and accommodation to the cost of the training too. Something people often forget to factor into the investment in their career.
This is very informative and useful! Great job, straight to the point! 👏🏽
Great video thanks
What a nice and documented video! Good job, Matthew! That moment when I press like before I see the video :D
Thanks Remus! I'm always happy to see those likes!
Thanks for taking the time to create this it answers a lot of questions. I see why you said the deck officer cadetship is so tempting.
Hi James, and thank you for commenting. You're exactly right! Aside from the cost, it's easy to fall off track when working your way through all these courses and exams. The cadetship just keeps you moving in the right direction, and ultimately gets you there quicker.
@@WorkonaSuperyacht I worked on yachts many years ago in Fort Lauderdale but your videos are inspiring, it makes me want to start a career working on the yachts much to the consternation of my partner lol.
@James Langan I'm thrilled to hear that you think the videos are inspiring; thank you! How long were you working on yachts for, and how far did you get with your training?
Best video yet I’d say
Thanks Ian!!! I'm so happy to hear this, and really appreciate you letting me know!
Hi there. Awesome Video
Any chance you can do this video focusing on ranking up from A junior Engineer to chief engineer
Hello Nicholas, and thanks for your comment. There have been a lot of requests for this, but I need to spend some more time reading up on the subject before making a video. In the meantime, you can download Merchant Shipping Notice 1859 from the following link, which will tell you all the requirements:
www.gov.uk/government/publications/msn-1859-mf-uk-requirements-for-engineer-officers-on-large-yachts-over-24m
Well done video! Let me add the grey cost of unemployment during the courses, accomodation, food, travel etc. Some yachts help their crew moving through the ranks, most (smaller ones?) don't. In my case expect the cost to nearly double... Keep up the good work!
Hello Derrick, and thank you for adding this. I've had a couple of courses paid for, and I think it's a fantastic incentive to offer crew who stay with the same yacht for a long time.
Thx! Very informative and useful.
Hello Matthew! As i see I need more time and soo much money 🙂 Your video is great, as always! Right now I'm learning ISPS code. Tomorrow I will have exam. I spend my all free time for improve sea's skills. I'm waiting new cool movie! 🤝 And thanks for new year present 👍
Thanks Alex! How did your exam go, and which exam were you taking? As for the cost of moving up the ranks, once you've got your first yacht job it should be possible to put plenty of money aside to pay for everything. In addition, some yachts will help you out with the cost of courses.
@@WorkonaSuperyacht Hi Matthew! You right! One day, one day! )))
Yes, I passed my exam!!! On 97%
That was be PDSD (STCW VI-AVI-2 - Security)
I wait new video!
@Alex Congratulations!
@@WorkonaSuperyacht Thanks Matt!
great video again. You are on the best way to a captain and you seem a perfect yachtie. Continue and thank you for all this interesting information
Thank you for all your encouragement. Meantime, I shall just borrow the captain's epaulettes until I make it!
Hoping to work with you someday sir, just finished my 3 years academic and my target vessel to work are super yacht
Very good insight. Thank you!
That was an enlightening video. I did not realize there are so many courses to take on the way to captains licence. I assume it is more or less similar in the US, South Africa and other places besides Europe. I guess my next question is this, does the employer pay for any of these courses, even if it is the recurring courses? My last question is about the road to 3000 GT Captain. What is the most common, start as Captain on a smaller yacht say ~100 feet then go on to progressively larger yachts, or to land the first captain position on a big yacht as a result of being promoted when the current captain leaves? Thank you and be safe!
Hello Ron, and thank you for commenting. The process I have described is for gaining qualifications through the MCA (Maritime and Coastguard Agency) in the UK. Other countries have their own agencies that serve the same function, but qualifications acquired through the MCA are some of the most well-recognised worldwide. Regardless, whichever country you gain your qualifications in, they must conform to STCW standards.
Some yachts will help with the cost of these courses. A training budget may even be used as an incentive when hiring new crew members. After all, it's a benefit to them to have better qualified crew. If a yacht does pay for some of your courses, it will often be on the condition that you stay for at least 12 months after completing the course.
As for the route to Master 3000, I'd say the more popular option is to start working as a deckhand on large yachts, and stay with large yachts whilst building your experience, gaining qualifications, and climbing the ranks. This has the benefit of giving a Captain an understanding of the more junior deck crew roles that he/she will eventually be managing.
I know bupkis about yachts I just had the odd urge to look this up, was informative nonetheless
Excellent explanation of the process!
Very interesting video. Really shows the amount of work and effort required to become a yacht Captain.
Would you be able to do a similar style video but showing the courses and time needed to become a Chief engineer?
Thank you Zach! My knowledge of the engineering certificates is not nearly as comprehensive, but this is something I will start reading up on in order to be able to make a similar video. In the meantime, download MSN 1859 from the following link in order to see exactly what is required:
www.gov.uk/government/publications/msn-1859-mf-uk-requirements-for-engineer-officers-on-large-yachts-over-24m
You'll notice that engineering qualifications are based around engine power as well as gross tonnage. At the end of the document you'll find some flow charts, which really help you to understand each step.
@@WorkonaSuperyacht .Thank you for the Information. Will definitely read up on it.
OMG! I love this video. Thank you!
Love this comment! Thank you Sylvie.
wow, never thought it was so much work/courses. Personally, I have GMDSS/GOC and certified up to 40M/200GT but not commercially yachts only private yachts
Hello Patrick, and thank you for sharing your experience. Which agency issued your certificate, and do you have any plans to do more qualifications?
Great video Matthew, I believe D spent about €30k on courses to get his Master 3000. There are a couple of new courses since then. What you didn't go into was the cost of flights and accommodation to go do all these courses which I estimate at around another €15k... And I don't even want to think about all the lost income 😱! Often you don't want to use up all your leave for courses so end up banging them out over a couple of months between jobs. Refuse to factor these costs in 😂😂😂
Thanks Leah! You're absolutely right about needing to factor in the additional cost of flights, accommodation, and lost income. 15K is probably about right; maybe a little more if you like to travel in style!
One more amazing video for the collection)
We're now at 36 uploads! Thank you for supporting the channel throughout.
Another great video with so much detail.
In one of your videos (and I'm sorry that I can't remember which), you said that you had a vibrating watch to use as an alarm without waking others. Can you share which one you use and whether you would recommend it. Thanks
Hello Martin, and it's great to hear that you're still enjoying the videos. My watch is a Garmin Vivoactive 3, and I love it! It's a GPS watch, and for me as a runner it's perfect. They're onto the Vivoactive 4 now, along with a similar model called Venu. However, if you're just after the vibrating alarm function then some of their other models do the same. I believe other brands will also have this function.
I come from a military background, This doesn’t seem atleast on the surface as much of a commitment as much as it may seem to some people. If you want it, you could get it.
Fantatsic video! Ive watched a few now and this was my favorite. Just a quick question. Does it matter whether you go IYT or RYA? Can you comment on this please cause I've been getting mixed reviews. Many thanks!
Thanks Kasheema! Some people will tell you that IYT is better, and others prefer RYA. If you're working towards the MCA Master 200 and beyond, I don't think it really matters; both are accepted. I did the RYA Yachtmaster Offshore; however, I will do the IYT Master of Yachts Unlimited. This is because I find the process of getting the RYA Yachtmaster Ocean less straightforward.
One advantage of the IYT qualifications is that they are recognised as commercial qualifications. The RYA ones aren't, and you must get them commercially endorsed.
Great video! Would you please be able to do an equivalent for yacht engineer progression, if you know anything about that. Cheers!
Thanks Freddie! There have been a lot of requests for this, but I need to spend some more time reading up on the subject before making a video. In the meantime, you can download Merchant Shipping Notice 1859 from the following link, which will tell you all the requirements:
www.gov.uk/government/publications/msn-1859-mf-uk-requirements-for-engineer-officers-on-large-yachts-over-24m
@@WorkonaSuperyacht thank you for the help, I've been looking through it and it's really useful, thank you for taking the time
Brilliant video Matt, do you think you’ll do a video talking about some of your experiences or stories over your time in the super yacht industry? Would love to hear about your beginning deckhands days and maybe a handful of tips for beginners? Looking to make my start in the industry next year, your videos have been the best thing I could of asked for!
Thanks Euan! It's so encouraging to hear that you've found these videos helpful. I really appreciate your video suggestion. I have a long list to get through, but will nevertheless add this one! Good luck with your preparations for joining the industry, and I look forward to continue supporting you with these videos.
It's clear, that you are truly devoted to this project :)
Just one question-How long does it approximately take to accomplish 48 months sea time? I guess it depends, but is it possible to estimate the time? Best regards from Czech Republic :)
Thank you, Jonáš. Yes, the number of days at sea will depend entirely on the yacht. On one yacht, I managed to log 192 days at sea over a 12 month period. On another yacht, I only managed to log 27 days over a 12 month period.
@@WorkonaSuperyacht Woah, that seems it takes a plenty of time to log 36 months... I` ve been considering engineering dept. for some time but to get the "Second engineer >9000 kW; >3000 GT" according to the new qualification standards, I would need to have 36 months as an engineer... That requires also plenty of patience, I suppose...
@Jonáš Říha It's important to differentiate between actual sea going service, and onboard service. At least for the OOW 3000, you need 36 months onboard service, but only 365 days of actual sea going service. Onboard service is just time signed onto a yacht. In my previous comment, I was talking about actual sea going service. The onboard service would have been more like 21 months. Double check if you need onboard service, or sea going service. I hope that makes sense!
@@WorkonaSuperyacht Thank you, I think i got the point :)
What about if you have (STCW) Master Unlimited Certificate for other type of vessels? Do you still need "Yacht" Master certificates?
I combined my guess with a bachelor’s or a master’s university degree. Won’t costs increase every year? Thank you so much for making this awesome video, Matthew!
Thank you Mitchell! Yes I think the total cost is comparable to that of an English university degree. I haven't tracked course prices, but it would be reasonable to assume that they'll increase each year.
In Florida stcw is 1000 usd in Bluewater every week and 160 ENG1 as there is only three medical centers whom can give this certification by 2023
Plop, this course is the STCW95, proficiency and security awareness is not included in the 5 days course, they will ask for one extra day and around 300 usd to get this certification, a.k.a. STCW10
Great vid. Any recommendation on how I go about transferring my Swedish certificates to the MCA? (Not master mariner)
Witch department within the MCA should I contact, so they could tell me witch of my courses are viable and transferable to MCA. Thanks a bunch....
Thanks Christian! My guess would be that the MCA Seafarer Training & Certification department will be able to answer your question. If not, they should be able to transfer you to the correct department. Phone lines are currently closed, but go to the following link and scroll to the bottom for all of the relevant email addresses:
www.gov.uk/government/organisations/maritime-and-coastguard-agency
This information could be really useful to others, so I'd be interested to hear how you get on.
@@WorkonaSuperyacht good tip i will check on my dutch certificates
Amazing video. Btw on an unrelated topic to the video when dock walking instead of wearing deck shoes could you wear a pair of smart trainers or deck trainers.
Hello David. Deck (or boat) shoes are great because they look right, and are comfortable to walk in all day. If you'd like to wear something different, just make sure they still meet the criteria for smart casual.
First comment. I love your channel
Thanks Kate! You were there before I'd even pinned my comment to the top!
How much do you think I will save of that if I study bachelor of maritime management (captain). And is that a good route if I want to be an yacht captaib one day?
Very helpful send me more boat captain lesson thanks
the price evaluation is good but you forgot to mention all the time spent studying...You mentionned this 5 days, this 5 days... 5 days...etc, but it takes weeks of preparation and those 5 days are just finals to review everything and pass the exams. All you said is regulary done after at least a good 10 years. Myself , I never paid anything, got a job as cook on cargo ships with the filipinos !!
What rank would a 4 year Coast Guard Boatwain’s mate start at??
Excellent video, thank you mate. One question, as someone entirely new to the field: to what degree is math skills relevant to the job? I am fair in communication & learning ability, but I am not the sharpest when it comes to maths. Cheers.
Hello Evan. Mathematical ability will help you out when it comes to navigation, but a basic level is sufficient. It would also be of benefit if you chose to work in the engineering department.
In the UK, minimum entry requirements for some cadet ship programmes require grades A to C in GCSE Maths, English, and Science. I suggest that if you were at this level then you’d have no problem following the programme of training that I describe in this video.
Owner operators have to go through all this as well? Seems like some buy relatively big yachts and run them fairly quickly after purchase…
Well! That was a splash of cold water in the face video, Matthew! A dose of reality was what I probably needed just before I send my Merchant Mariner Certification application for Entry Level Ordinary Seaman, tomorrow. . . Ending at the bottom! :-) Similarly, my dad was told in the Marine Corps: “Now, you’re one level above whale poo!”
Hello Rick. There might still be a long way to go, but at least you're one step closer to the ultimate goal!
Can you please tell me where can i lean to be captain of duper yacht in poland
@@Gisarwanda I image you intended to send this message to Matthew. I received your inquiry directly.
Thanks for it! Very well explained and clearly displayed. I have a question, is it possible to move up through the ranks by being employed as a captain starting from small vessels such as less than 24m then progress in size in the same position? Or it would be necessary to step down and get the trb completed and signed out?a
Thanks Damiano. Yes, you can move up through the ranks as a captain starting on smaller yachts. It is my understanding that your training record book can be signed by you, as the captain; however, you must be in possession of a valid CoC to do this (either commercially endorsed Yacthmaster, or MCA Master 200). There may also be some other requirements such as a letter from your management or owning company, declaring that you are signed on as captain. I'd suggest you double check all of this with the MCA. Their phone lines aren't open at the moment, but if you scroll to the bottom of the following link, you'll find email addresses for the seafarer training and certification department:
www.gov.uk/government/organisations/maritime-and-coastguard-agency
The answer to this question may be very helpful to others, so I'd be interested to hear how you get on.
@@WorkonaSuperyacht thanks Matt! I will definetely do it for everyone's knowledge ASAP! all the best
Hey Matt I hope all is going well! In answer to this:
Dear sir/lady
I hope you are well
I'm an Italian citizen and I'm currently holding the MCA master 200gt certificate. My aim is to get the higher CoC MCA OOW 3000gt more forward.
I've been working as captain on a pleasure vessel less than 24m in lenght and less than 80gt since 2017.
Sizewise ,will the seatime spent onboard this vessel be valid for get the minimum requirements?
Secondly, am I able to self sign the TRB while working here, maybe with the boat's owner letter of testimonial? or It has to be signed by another captain that I wonder If I will have to work for?
Thanks in advance
Kindest Regards
Damiano
Their answer:
Dear Sir
Thank you for your email.
To apply for a NOE (Notice of Eligibility) for Officer of the Watch (Yachts, Less than 3000gt unlimited), you would need to provide the following items:
Completed application form - MSF 4343. (Please download from our website at: www.gov.uk/government/publications/certificate-of-competency-yacht-deckmsf-4343)
Fee of £220
Evidence of at least 36 months onboard Yacht service on any size vessel, including not less than 365 days sea service on vessels over 15m in length. At least 250 of the 365 days must be Actual Sea service; the remaining balance of 115 days can be a combination of further Actual sea service, standby service (up to a maximum of 14 consecutive days in one period) or Yard service (to a maximum of 90 days overall).
We require one overall form of evidence for your sea service - sea service testimonials or a PYA/Nautilus Logbook - providing that it states all of the information we require. All evidence should state: vessel name, particulars, onboard/sign on and off dates, as well as a breakdown of Actual, Standby and Yard service.
An assessment of your sea service and eligibility will only be undertaken when we receive a full application from you. We cannot assess any sea time or documentation prior to submission of an application.
For information about sea service and how this is considered, please refer to MSN 1858 www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/436506/MSN1858.pdf .
MCA Training Record Book (TRB)
This must be completed in real time, with tasks signed off as and when you complete them.
TRB’s are available to download from our website at www.gov.uk/government/publications/yacht-training-record-book-trb
If you have completed 1080 days of Actual Sea Service, verifiable by your evidence, then you do not need to complete a TRB.
All 4 elements of your STCW 95 Basic Training certification (Personal Survival Techniques, Elementary First Aid, Personal Safety & Social Responsibilities, Fire Prevention & Fire Fighting).
An attested copy of your Passport
Guidance regarding who can attest your Passport can be found on page 7 of the application form.
2 attested passport photographs on a plain white background.
Guidance regarding who can attest your photos can be found on page 7 of the application form.
Your IYT Master of Yachts Limited COC and Shorebased course, or;
Your RYA Yacht Master Offshore COC and Shorebased course certificate.
For further guidance about the application please refer to MSN 1858.
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 situation we are currently unable to accept any applications via post. Please submit all applications and supporting documents via email. Please note that scanned copies of supporting documents are currently acceptable. Please note this is subject to change, visit our webpage to stay up to date with the latest information - Click here. Please email your application to deck@mcga.gov.uk
Regards
Thank you for the information......
My pleasure, and thank you for commenting!
I wonder how this path would look for a 50 year old that already has Yachtmaster Ocean, IYT limited? Mostly sailing vs motor experience 🤔
Very good information
Hi matt, I was just wondering as someone coming out of college within the year and would like to work as a deck hand but is not able to walk on the dock and ask for jobs due to location at the time would you say there is say there is still a high demand for those who will get jobs from agencies after obtaining the correct certifications?
Hello. Trying to get a job through an agency when you have no previous experience isn't impossible, but it significantly reduces your chances of getting started.
Great video Matt. Very helpful.
Does anyone know if the yacht master sail will help with progression, even if working on a motor yacht?
Or will I have to go get the yacht master converted?
Hi Brendan. No, the Yachtmaster Sail doesn't need to be converted to motor. Either motor or sail will be accepted towards the OOW 3000 qualification.
@@WorkonaSuperyacht thanks mate. I’m in Australia, and started doing the yacht master sail here, planing on going to the med in 2025.
I just didn’t want to do the wrong one and waste my time
My pleasure. Don't worry, you're doing the right course. And the Yachtmaster sail is more difficult due to the practical nature of sailing, so you'll learn to be a more accomplished crew member.
Is it possible if you have OOW certificate by working in merchant vessels that do worldwide routes to transition as an OOW in yachts without any previous experience in yachts ? Or will you need additional courses and sea experience in this type of vessels.
Me thinking i can become a captain without spending more than 15000 euros. But its still very doable and inexpensive looking at how much a pilot pays for their PPL and their license to fly passengers and training
Hello Alec C, and thank you for commenting. You should also be earning good money, which helps to cover the cost.
Alot cheaper than a university degree, and you'll definitely get a much higher starting salary (doing something you presumably like)
Is the MCA Master 200 the equivalent to the french brevet capitaine 200? And I wonder if you know what could be the equivalent of "certificat Matelot de Pont" (France)?, I just finnish the 3 months course and I have been looking what could be the equivalent, and the closest thing would be like "French able deckhand".
Thx for your videos! I have learned a lot about the yacht industry with you and fully motivated for my first yacht position:D
Hello JJ DL. I'm not sure, but yes the brevet capitaine 200 does sound equivalent to the MCA Master 200. The MCA Master 200 isn't yacht specific, and can be used on other types of vessel. Is this the same for the brevet capitaine 200?
From the very small amount of research that I've just done, the certificat Matelot de Pont sounds equivalent to the MCA Able Seafarer. Have a look at that and see how it compares.
I'm glad to hear that you've learnt so much from the channel, and I hope to be able to continue supporting you in your yachting career.
Hi Guys, I am also a french deckhand actually studying in SOF for the same « matelot de pont » but i have 3+ years experience in the Industry so will give the answer. So Yes the capitaine 200 is the equivalent of the MCA master 200 (can be also used on every vessels) but you will had to ask/pay for it .
To keep going the Certificat de matelot de pont is not very very « recognized » in the Industry as the EDH course so In my opinion the best thing to do is to validate and to step up straight to the capitaine 200 ( as a english crew member you may not know but in France the government can pay for your french courses BUT they are STCW so once you got it you just pay for a COC and you save a big amount of money)
@@yanisalem8820 thanks for the answers, they really help me clear my mind about it. I live in the SOF, and if u feel like getting in contact let me know :D
@@Jonjix with pleasure go for it
@Yanis Alem Thank you for helping out with this one!
What do you think about going to a maritime college? 4 years and you will be out with a 3rd mate USCG license of unlimited tonnage?
If get my license in that I know I can work in cargo ships but my question is am I eligible to work in supper yachts?
Hi thank you your video is very informative and helpful where can I look for engineering and mechanical engineering endorsements certificate courses to look for where I could look for online to start to become certified been a mechanic myself 38 years thank you very much
It’s a pity the captain of titanic didn’t do all that
For EDH, they ask for Steering Certificate too. How to get that?
Is it really possible to do the power boat level 2 in 2 days? I have done some research and found a course in my area that takes 6 afternoon classes of theorie lessons plus several practical ones. Is it possible that that is the wrong power boat course?
If you own the superyacht can a captain sign off the requirements.
I don’t know anything about yachts or foreign ships and licenses, but I find 60 months to be truly unbelievable. I’m the US we have to have sea time and even working 180 days a year on a commercial ship that almost never stops it takes many many years to get the 1080 days underway to upgrade from an AB to a 3rd mates license. Judging by the fact that at least the yachts I see are moored considerably more then they are underway, it seem like it would basically be impossible to accumulate the sea time working on one?
There are a couple of reasons why it takes less time to get yacht CoCs. The first is that the majority of positions aren't rotational, especially in the junior ranks. This means that a crew member working towards a yacht OOW CoC will be on board for about 300 days per year. In addition, you only need 3 years of on board service and 250 days of sea service (plus 115 days of sea service, yard service, or stand by service) to be eligible for a yacht OOW CoC. As you say, this is significantly less than the 1080 days of sea service that is required for an unlimited (commercial) OOW CoC.
Moving forward from yacht OOW to yacht Master, the service requirements are again less than in the commercial sector.
@@WorkonaSuperyacht Thanks that’s very interesting. It’s a lot worse then 1080 days to go from an OS to master unlimited here in the US. More like 5,000 days. A day here is a minimum of 8 hours underway! That is unless you went to a merchant marine academy and came out in 4 years with a 3rd mate or engineers unlimited tonnage/horsepower license. With weather delays, delays in port for unloading/loading, maintenance/repairs, and inspections your lucky to actually get 120 days a year of actual sea time working full time on a ship. I’ve been working most of my life at sea and I’m not even halfway to a masters license (other then my 100 ton chicken shit masters) as I figure it’s a minimum of a 30 year process. I’ve come to the conclusion that I won’t live long enough to get mine.
Hello again, i guess here is the easy way to reach you. I just obtained my yachtmaster certificate from lebanon. Do you know if I can convert it to IYT master of yacht 200 or RYA yachtmaster to be able to continue fro the mca master ? Or i have to start all over again ?
Hello Johnny. I'm not sure about converting a Lebanese Yachtmaster; however, it isn't possible to convert an RYA Yachtmaster to an IYT Master of Yachts Limited, so other conversions may also be a problem. I suggest that you contact both the RYA and IYT directly to see if they can help.
@@WorkonaSuperyacht Thank you !
Where do you learn boating?(Like a pilot learns in Flying Schools) How much time for each rank and who issues it?
You can either do a cadetship with a commercial shipping company, or you can follow the program of training that I describe in this video. In both cases, a lot of time is spent learning on-the-job.
MSN 1858 and MSN 1856 can be downloaded from the links in the description, and they describe exactly how long you must spend in each rank. These qualifications are issued by the MCA, which is an agency of the UK; however, other countries issue similar qualifications.
@@WorkonaSuperyacht Thank you for the describing reply mate
@workonaSuperyacht
I have one question am 23 years old and I finish the college of merchant ship more than 500 tons and I have already the 3 officer degree from the cyprus flag ,and am thinking to continue in yachts , if I will go I will be as OOW ?
QUESTION -- what we see on below deck Tv show... is a accurate description of the crew ??? Or over dramatized ?? Like captain Sandy in everyone’s jock 24/7 or is it really more laid back ??
Good question! I've only ever seen a few clips of Below Deck, but I would be very surprised if it wasn't dramatised.
Thank you sir.
Can A filipino become a captain on a yacht?does yacht owner has prefered nationalities to command their yacht?
So let’s say I’ve done all the courses and I eventually get my 4 stripes, how much will I be earning roughly per month ?
Hello Bogle's Drawings. Captain's salaries vary depending on experience, size of yacht, and time spent with a particular owner. As a captain on a large yacht over 500 GT (but less than 3000 GT), an average monthly salary could be between EUR 10,000 and EUR 15,000, with the possibility for this to rise up over EUR 20,000 as you build your experience and time with an owner.
@@WorkonaSuperyacht wow I’m about to do my stcw and eng1 in feb wish me luck :)
@Bogle's Drawings Good luck! The STCW basic training week is a great experience, and I'm sure you'll enjoy it.
@@WorkonaSuperyacht hello, just so you know I’m working on yachts now in south of france :) thank you for all your help 😊
Hi, I am Sayan from INDIA working in river and costal area of india.I have licence to operate a small(not in size but depends on ENGINE BHP ) vessel.Now I wish work in UK.what are the steps to be followed? Please make a video or guide me properly.
If you come from merchant and have a master 500 ums do you need to get that validated with the MCA?
do I need some type of GED'S? some type of exams to hold? like math ,science or anything like that? or I just get experience and get these courses and I'm set? Thank you for answer.
Great question! There is no requirement to hold any certificates from school or university.
WOW, In Spain the most of that is public education and you can do it for free... even in my case they pay me about 5k euros / year for my good cualifications
Hello, Is there anything I can do to work for you?
Hello Sir,
I am working in the merchant navy and would like to know how easy or hard is the transfer from merchant navy to super yachts? Do i have to start again as a deckhand for experience even if im already a second mate ?
Hello. Please check out the following video for an answer to your question:
ruclips.net/video/r2FWpTp1g0s/видео.html
Cheaper than my uni degree and Masters - total i paid £35000 undergrad and £22000 masters. Total £57000
Hello Anna. Wow, that's a lot! I think my degree cost about £20,000, but a career working on superyachts is helping me to pay it all back!
Hello mate, im working on a yacht . Seen your video about the best bank currency to open when receiving the payroll. My question is, is there a way to open a euro account abroad where I am a forwigner? Thanks
Hello Maya. I recommend that you check out Transferwise. They offer different services depending on which country you are from. Not everyone will be able to get a debit card from them, but most should be able to receive Euros and USD.
What if I has "OOW" diploma according to STCW ?
Are there any certificates needed for someone who is already a 3. officer on a huge cargo ship? (400M long).
What about the Fast track Yachmaster offshore courses with commercial endorsement for about 10/11k euros offered by some RYA schools around the world?
The fastrack YM courses will get you from zero to a Yachtmaster qualification in the shortest possible time, but you'll still have to do all of the other courses mentioned in this video if you want to be a deck officer on superyachts up to 3000GT.
Can you please sir lacate me the school to lean about being captain of super yacht in poland?
I have heard that the rule of thumb to go from junior deck hand to 3000 ton masters takes about ten years.
Hello Peter. Yes, 10 years is probably the average. If you executed the instructions in MSN 1858 perfectly then just under 6 years would be possible, but that is very uncommon.
@@WorkonaSuperyacht Thank you for the reply
Hello Matthew, what are the chances of getting a deckhand job at the end of May/early June if you can't make the season start ?
Hello Bob. There should still be job opportunities available around this time. I didn't arrive in Antibes until early June on my first season, and although I met plenty of people who had benefited from arriving sooner, I still managed to find day work before landing a seasonal job mid July. For the Mediterranean, April/May is my recommendation, but if this isn't possible for you then a little later can still work. Just be sure to get everything prepared beforehand (CV all in order; signed up online with yacht crew agencies), and then you'll be ready to hit the ground running.
@@WorkonaSuperyacht Thank you very much Matthew, your advice is invaluable !
Hey bro it is so much cheaper to get your tickets in nz ?
I have 100 tons MMC by us coast guard
Hello Matt, I can’t find my answer on internet but may be you know. Can you go for the master 3000 without doing the 500 one ? Thank you :)
Hello thibault9741! With respect to yacht qualifications, yes you can go straight to Master 3000 without sitting the Master 500 exam. It's written on page 8 of MSN 1858, which can be downloaded from the link in the description of this video. The thing to watch out for is that some of the courses required to take this exam expire (most after 3 years, but celestial navigation after only 1 year). Additional sea service is required to sit the Master 3000 exam; if you've already taken these courses, just be careful that they don't expire in the meantime.
@@WorkonaSuperyacht thank you very much !
So in other words if you can't afford to to own the boat you can't afford to run one. So glad all these people have that kind of money.
This career is as expensive as commercial aviator, but takes more time.
Hello SmartChannel, and thank you for commenting. Others have compared the route to Captain on a superyacht with the route to Captain on a commercial airliner, but I don't know how different or similar they are in practice.
Sort of, but at least with this career you are earning money as you progress through the ranks. Furthermore, airline pilot training can cost north of €100,000, so this is considerably less expensive.
So who drives those Mega yachts ? Can you tell me the name of the liscence ? Why is it different?
Hello Johnny. To captain a yacht over 3000 GT like the two I show at the end of the video, you would need a Master Unlimited. This is the same qualification that would be required for a cruise ship, or cargo ship. You can see what is required for this qualification by downloading MSN 1856 from the following link:
www.gov.uk/government/publications/msn-1856-mf-uk-requirements-for-master-and-deck-officers
Some of the courses are the same, but there are notable differences in the route to achieving a Master Unlimited. I am unsure of why 3000 GT was the cut-off for yachting qualifications; but, the result is that any yacht over 3000 GT must have deck officers who have followed the Unlimited training programme.
I’ve a done merchant navy training and received an OOW CoC unlimited. I’ve got 365 sea days and all the certifications necessary. As what rank can I expect to join yachting?
Hello Valentijn. With an OOW Unlimited qualification but no previous yachting experience, it is sometimes possible to move straight into a 3rd or 2nd officer role on a very large superyacht (over 3000GT). This may be even more likely if your previous experience has been on passenger ships, where your cargo is people just as it is on a yacht. However, most yachts will favour those with previous yachting experience, and it may be necessary to instead start as a deckhand. It might seem like a backward step, but this is the best way to get a real understanding of the more junior positions that you will eventually come to manage as an officer. After 1 or 2 years, you may then be able to step up and start using your OOW Unlimited qualification.
I recommend contacting Wilson Halligan, who are a yacht crew recruitment agency for some of the largest yachts:
www.wilsonhalligan.com/
They will be able to give you an idea of the current job market, and what experience yachts are requesting in addition to the OOW Unlimited qualification.
Thank you so much for your taking the time to make this wonderful response!
Wow, my estimate was way lower than yours. But, then, what I know about yachts you could put in a thimble and not notice anything there :-) That said, well done again!
Thanks David! What was your guess? I hope to keep filling your thimble of yacht knowledge with each successive video!
@@WorkonaSuperyacht My guess was between $4,000 & $5,000. Oh, I have learned a lot from your videos. However, I've come a little late to the table because I'm an old, old guy who lives thousands of miles away from any ocean. In fact, I never had any interest in yachts until a short time ago. Now, I cannot get enough of watching videos about them. My wife thinks I'm nuts :-)
@David Geer "My wife thinks I'm nuts"! I'm sure you're not the only husband who says that! Regardless, I'm very happy if this channel helps to satisfy your interest in yachts.
Hello Matt! I'm 35 years old and want to change careers and become a superyacht captain. Is this feasible?
Yes, it's certainly possible! I presume that you're concerned about age, so take a look in the comments section of this video to read about the experiences of others who've done the same: ruclips.net/video/syLiuz1udzw/видео.html
The first thing to do is just get started. Once you get a bit of experience you'll then be able to decide what sort of yachts you prefer working on. If it's something smaller (under 200GT) then you could potentially reach the role of captain in just a few years. Larger yachts will require you to get more experience and qualifications, but you can still progress quickly if you put your mind to it. I push Academy members to be eligible for the role of first mate on yachts under 500GT in as little as 2 years, and 2nd officer on larger yachts up to 3000GT within 4 years.
Thank you very much, Sir!
What's the name of the architect of the last yacht? 🙂