Skippers Qualifications

[FrankieJ]

We are considering wintering in the Grenadines as from next year and also buying a yacht out there. I would like to know what qualifications I would need to allow us to take on board paying guests. I have spoken to the RYA and have been told it depends on which flag the boat is registered and how far I want to sail. We would only be island hopping, not ocean crossing. As we have not yet bought a boat out there I cant say what flag it will have .Obviously I want to make life as uncomplicated as is possible . Can anyone help

 

[snowleopard]

If you were chartering in UK waters, YM(Offshore) + Commercial endorsement would be the answer. For chartering in the West Indies you would be bound by the laws of the countries you are operating in. As each island is a separate nation that makes life a bit complicated.

Don't even think of running a commercial operation without telling the authorities. You could end up with massive fines at the very least.

Your best bet would be to decide on one island to use as a base and research their laws. The French islands are likely to be a bit less bureaucratic but you would have to obey French coding rules. The English-speaking islands impose massive import duties on things like yachts so you could have a horrendous bill if you move to one of them.

 

[tcm]

not as uncomplicated as you hope, i fear.

If you are british...then likely the boat will be british registered too. If so, you need minimum RYA Yachtmaster with commercial endorsement and the boat needs to be MCA coded - ie certified as having the right safety gear etc. I think there is a surveyor in Grenada in carbbee who can certify the boat, RYA course more plentiful at various locations.

Neither of these are quick flip things to do from scratch. Altho of course you may be way ahead and have them.

Your insurance will also need to be extended, to include commercial use.

The alternative for it to be more "easy" Isupose would be to register under a local flag. But that means selecting a flag where the exam is easier yet still in English, really. Or even no exam. And usually (but not always) you need to be a citizen of that country to register a boat there.

Yes, you could "just do it" - but this is definitely breaking the law for uk vessel. The YM course and MCA coding regime is not hideous - mostly very sensible, really, in trms of flares and so forth so for a well-sorted boat it should be ok, and it's the sensible way too - you be ableto demonstrate that you did have al the right qualifications etc.

There are various levels of MCA coding depending on how far offshore you go, how many passengers, and the surveyor chap can guide you.

Check the cost of insurance first, though. You need to have cover for when the guest falls overboard, claims on his insurance and they claim on yours.

My own feeling is that the days when you can "do a bit of charter" are over. You have to set the boat up for charter guests - and do enough charter at swish enough prices to recoup the extra insurance etc.

Certainly if you haven't done it before then chartering for paying guests can be Hard Work. You may know all this of course. Oh sure, the boat can be a bit of an ole heap for southern uk sailing cos all the public school types think it's luxury to have a cooked breakfast, they help with washing up and they get to helm as well. But in sunnier climes people pay oodles on airfares and may reasonably hope for a real holiday which means you and wife are there for *their* holiday, not as "crew".

Good luck anyway.

 

[alant]

To Skipper a British Flagged Vessel, for gain, you need a Commercial Endorsement.

Mandatory Manning Qualifications & requirements are :-

For Cat 6 vessels, within 3 miles of nominated departure point, you need - Coastal Skipper, MCA Boatmaster 3, Advanced Powerboat, Day Skipper (Practical) or Powerboat Level 2.

For Cat 5 vessels, up to 20m from a nominated departure point in fine weather & daylight, you need - Coastal Skipper. MCA Boatmaster 3, Advanced Powerboat or Dayskipper (Practical+Theory).

For Cat 3&4 vessels, up to 20m from a safe haven, you can be - Coastal Skipper or Advanced Powerboat.

For Cat 2 vessels, up to 60m from a safe haven, you need - RYA YM Offshore (+mate - experienced person as identified by skipper)

For Cat 1 vessels, up to 150m from a safe haven, you need RYA YM Offshore (+mate - RYA Coastal Skipper)

For Cat 0 vessels, 'worldwide', you must be - RYA YM Ocean (+mate - RYA YM Offshore)

Many of these regs (particularly that of YM Ocean for Cat 0 trips, or where a mate is required), are not particularly enforced by MCA, unless it suits them. They tend to rely upon post-investigations of incidents.

However, in these cases, insurance is likely to have become void.

An issue discussed at length on these forums.

 

[Bajansailor]

I have posted a reply to you re this query in the Liveaboard Link forum.