Careers that come from having an RYA QUalification
After completing your Powerboat level course and getting RYA qualified in the UK, you may be wondering what you can do or where you can work. Depending on the kind of qualification you attained and the kind of experience needed, there are a variety of careers you can pursue.
In this article, we will explore the different RYA career paths you can pursue in the marine world.
Chartering, Delivery, and Commercial Skippering
Most people get an RYA qualification so they can skipper a vessel either professionally or for leisure. If you are interested in boating jobs UK that involve carrying passengers or cargo for money, your RYA certificate must be upgraded to a Commercial Endorsement (CE).
This will involve completing the Professional Practices and Responsibilities (PPR) online course, obtaining an ENG1 Medical Certificate, and gaining Sea Survival and First Aid certificates. Once your endorsement is successful, you can pursue the following boating jobs in the UK and beyond:
Delivery Skipper: Moving vessels between ports for owners or manufacturers.
Day Trip/Coastal Tours: Operating small passenger vessels for high-speed rib rides or wildlife tours.
River Taxi/Ferry Services: Transporting commuters or tourists.
Port Authority/Harbour Master Duties: Driving launches and service boats within the commercial ports.
Event Support: Providing a safety boat or operational support for river-based events.
Work on Flotilla and Bareboat Charter Holidays
Flotilla holidays comprise a group of yachts that are guided by a skipper, engineer, and host on board. As a member of staff, you will be required to ensure clients have a safe and enjoyable sailing holiday:
Skipper: Making sure the flotilla moves smoothly from port to port, planning daily passages, and laying boats at the end of the season.
Engineer: Familiarise clients with their boats and solve mechanical problems during the week
Host: Managing administrative and social elements of the flotilla, including parties and barbecues.
If working in Flotilla does not sound right for you, you can choose to be a bareboat skipper with charter companies. Your duties may include preparation of yachts for charter, sailing with guests and deliveries, and living abroad during the season.
Marine Instruction and Training
For those passionate about teaching and helping others master the art of boating, becoming an RYA instructor is an excellent career choice. As a direct RYA career path in London, you can be hired by training centres like NXT Marine to deliver courses from beginner levels up to advanced coastal navigation.
An RYA Instructor certificate, such as Powerboat Instructor, Dinghy Instructor, or Cruising Instructor, is required before getting hired. Your roles may include:
Teaching certified courses at commercial centres or yacht clubs throughout the UK.
Working seasonally at yachting holiday resorts in locations like the Caribbean or Greece
Overseeing the safety and training programmes of the school.
Water Sports Management
If you are more interested in a managerial position, you can join the water sports industry. You will be working in training centres, charitable trusts, local authority centres, holiday companies, or sailing clubs. Being in a management position, your roles will be diverse and can range from training, coaching, instructing, course organisation, programme planning, recruitment to advertising, and more.
The Superyacht IndustrY
For high salaries, global travel, and rapid career progression, you can pursue a career in the global superyacht industry. Although the largest superyachts operate under MCA Certificates of Competency, the RYA Yacht master qualifications are the accepted entry point and foundation for smaller vessels. Some of the roles available for skippers with RYA qualifications include:
Entry Role-Deckhand: General maintenance, exterior upkeep, watch-keeping, and assisting with guest water sports.
Tender Driver/Water-sports Instructor: Operating the yacht's tenders (ribs, motorboats) and teaching guests how to use jet skis (PWC).
RYA qualifications are what yacht captains look for to ensure new crew members have a basic understanding of professional seamanship and navigational safety. So, this is a good starting point for a career.
Start Your Professional Journey with NXT Marine Training
An RYA qualification opens doors to a wide range of career opportunities. AT NXT Marine, we specialise in equipping boaters with the skills needed to achieve their RYA certification. Whether you want an ICC licence or a commercial endorsement package, we have the expert instruction and dedicated vessels to get you qualified and working.
Get in touch with us today by calling 020 8050 6628 or sending an email to info@nxtmarine.london and learn more about our packages.