What is the IYT Master of Yachts Certificate?
Our IYT Master of Yachts Offshore Certification Program is an extensive course designed to provide the highest standards of maritime education for both the professional and recreational yachtsman and woman. It is an intensive course designed for experienced crew with sufficient on the water experience. This program is not for beginners, proof of the required sea time showing the necessary command endorsed time will be required upon booking.

International Master of Yachts Training offers 3 levels of IYT Master of Yachts Certification Programs
1. The IYT Master of Yachts Coastal Certification
This course is designed for those recreational boaters and professional crew who have a basic knowledge and understanding of yachting with a minimum of on water experience. The syllabus will provide you with a thorough knowledge of theory and seamanship skills to confidently handle a small vessel in good and inclement weather. This certificate is accepted by charter companies worldwide for bareboat chartering. This COC (Certificate Of Competency) however is required by law for certain First Mate positions. Minimum entry requirements apply.
2. The IYT Master of Yachts Offshore Certification
The Master of Yachts Certificate is one of the most recognized international qualifications for Yacht Captains. Our syllabus has been specifically developed to standards that have been adapted to suit local weather conditions and territorial waters. The IYT Master of Yachts Offshore Certification Program is an extensive course designed to provide the highest standards of maritime education for both the professional and recreational yachtsman and woman, It Is an intensive course designed for experienced crew with sufficient on the water experience. This program is not for beginners. Minimum Entry Requirements Apply*
3. The IYT Master of Yachts Ocean Certification
The IYT Master of Yachts Ocean Certificate is a qualification that indicates that the holder has sufficient knowledge of celestial navigation, based on air navigation tables, to globally navigate, using a sextant.
MCA Course Modules

The M.C.A. has the responsibility to oversee the rules and regulations relating to all vessels that are "red flagged", that are registered in any of the red ensign nations. Since December 1998 all vessels over 24 meters waterline length, both private and charter have to comply with the manning requirements. (At this time, Cayman Island flagged private yachts do not have to comply.)

What are the advantages of holding a IYT Master of Yachts Certificate?
* Our International Master of Yachts Coastal, Offshore and Ocean Certificates are
recognized by the Maritime & Coastguard Agency (M.C.A.) for entry into there
Master of Yachts Certificate of Competency.
* Our International IYT Master of Yachts Offshore is recognized by the US Coastguard. On completion the candidate may receive a 200ton license depending on days at sea recorded.
* Our IYT Master of Yachts qualifications are recognized by insurance corporations worldwide.
* Yacht owners are always looking for competent crew to command their vessels.

Holders of our IYT Master of Yachts qualifications are extremely marketable due to their
recognized knowledge of nautical studies and proven practical competence.

What do the courses consist of?
The program consists of seven separate modules as outlined below. Each module stands alone and can be taken individually or together. A number of practical courses are run after each theory module.
(A) A six day comprehensive high level shore based module with assessment papers and written examinations incorporating subjects including navigation, tidal calculations, international collision regulations, pilotage, meteorology, anchoring and berthing, buoyage, safety, first aid, passage planning and seamanship. Candidates are advised that a considerable amount of private study and varied cruising experience is required in addition to the formal instruction provided. This module takes six days to complete and requires a number of written examinations.
(B) A five day IYT Master of Yachts offshore practical course module is conducted on board a yacht. This part of the instruction covers seamanship skills such as nautical terms, tides, ropework, anchor work, boat handling, docking, yacht presentation, general yachting skills, weather, navigation and passage planning. This course will be a preparation course for your final IYT Master of Yachts Offshore Examination. This module takes 5 days to finish and can be completed for either a power or sail endorsement.
(C) Half day Radio Communications module. This module deals with international radio communications and requires a half day of instruction and a final written examination.
(D) One and a half day Personal Survival course module which is instructed in compliance to STCW '95 Code A - VI/1-2 and consists of a half day in a classroom covering subjects such as emergency situations, evacuation, survival craft and rescue boats, personal lifesaving appliances, survival at sea, emergency radio equipment and helicopter assistance. The remainder of the course is spent in a swimming pool performing an actual life raft inflation and inversion and the simulation of other abandon ship procedures. The theory and practical are both followed by an exam.
(E) A two day Fire Prevention module which is instructed in compliance to STCW '95 Code A - VI/1-2 including shipboard fire fighting organization, the elements of fire and explosion, types of ignition, fire and smoke detection, breathing apparatus use and automatic alarm system familiarization. Yachtmaster certificate trainees will fight and extinguish actual fires using personal equipment, appliances methods and various agents. The module includes seminar and practical instruction taught by licensed and certified fire fighting professionals. It takes two days to complete and is followed by a written exam.
(F) A one day First Aid and CPR course which is instructed in compliance to STCW '95 Code A - VI/1-2 and consists of approximately seven hours of theory and practical covering basic First Aid and CPR in marine situations. The course is followed by a written exam.
(G) A half day Personal Safety and Social Responsibility, which is, instructed to STCW '95 Code A - VI/1 - 2 The course is followed by a written exam.

What is required for my final IYT Master of Yachts examination?
All of the courses and criteria must be fulfilled before a candidate may apply to take the final certification examination.

What does the final exam consist of?
The final exam will be conducted by a IYT Master of Yachts examiner and takes the form of an extensive oral and practical test on a yacht. Candidates should expect to be examined on any subject covered by the syllabus of the shore based or practical courses and to be questioned on any aspect of their yachting experience to date.
In the event that the examiner considers an examinee not to have achieved the required standards and/or the candidates' ability as Captain does not reach the required standard, and/or the prerequisites have not been met for the IYT Master of Yachts Offshore, a IYT Master of Yachts Coastal Certificate will issued in the interim. In this case, and if requested a personal report will be sent to the candidate outlining the reason or reasons for failure and suggesting remedial action prior to re sitting the exam.

Completion of the IYT Master of Yachts Certification course is not a guarantee of passing the examination and receiving your certificate. For those candidates who have completed the IYT Master of Yachts Practical Course, the Examination will take place immediately following course completion.

What are the minimum entry requirements to complete the IYT Master of Yachts Offshore Course?
1. IYT Master of Yachts Candidates must have logged 50 days on board a yacht at sea as an active member of the crew to be able to participate in the course. For the purpose of this requirement, a day is defined as a period of 24 consecutive hours. Parts of a day may not be included in this total, but a day is not invalidated by a candidate leaving the yacht for a few hours during a cruise. The term "at sea" is defined as being on a vessel outside of any harbor - natural or artificial - in which a cruising yacht could secure or anchor for a prolonged period of time.
2. Candidates must also have logged 3,000 miles in a yacht while cruising at sea. This mileage must be logged on genuine cruises or passages but not short day trips. At least 2000 miles must have been completed on coastal voyages and not Ocean crossings.
3. Candidates must have five varied passages with rhumb lines of over 60 miles, two of which the candidate must have been undertaking the duties of captain or watchkeeper during the passage.
4. 30 hours on watch at night underway as an active member of a yacht's crew. For at least six hours of this night time experience, the candidate must have been acting as the vessel's captain/watchleader. "Night," in this context, is defined as the time between sunset and sunrise.

5. A Current Medical Exam and Eyesight Test which allows the participant to perform safely the relevant duties on a yacht, including being able to see and distinguish lights and signals of other vessels and navigational marks in typical weather conditions without risk to him/herself, other crewmembers or the safe operation of the vessel.
* Candidates may sit the shore-based course prior to having all the above requirements.
*Verification of the above yachting experience must be original and signed by the Captain of the yacht in which the candidate was sailing. Candidates claiming sea time during times when they were acting as Captain may sign their own entries but owner's verification will be required.

How do I apply for enrollment?
In order to apply for selection in the IYT Master of Yachts Certification courses, a detailed yachting resume must be sent to your IYT training school for evaluation.
Candidates are selected based on their yachting experience and nautical knowledge. Selection is at the discretion of the evaluation committee. Classes require detailed schedule coordination and planning, so it is recommended that application materials are submitted in a timely manner. (Acceptance onto the course does not automatically guarantee obtaining a IYT Master of Yachts Offshore Certificate. All the prerequisites must be fulfilled and satisfactory standards achieved in all the modules).