Why Get Your RYA Licence?
The Royal Yachting Association (RYA) certification scheme is globally recognised as the gold standard for maritime training. Whether you are interested in chartering a boat professionally or for leisure, the RYA covers everything from sail and power to Personal Watercraft (PWC). If you are an aspiring boater, here are the main reasons why you may want to get our RYA Licence.
Boost Your Safety and Competence
The obvious benefit of getting your RYA certificate is to become a safe, competent, and confident skipper. RYA courses are known globally for being practical and well-structured. They are built around hands-on learning that forms the foundation of good seamanship. Whether you are a complete beginner or an experienced skipper, the scheme gives you a clear path to follow.
The RYA syllabus helps you move from basic theory to mastering the physical skills needed to handle a boat in real-world scenarios. With the guidance of expert instructors, you will learn to manoeuvre successfully in confined spaces, execute perfect mooring and anchoring techniques, and secure your vessel to a buoy.
You will also gain vital knowledge in weather awareness, interpreting tide tables, safety procedures, and complying with the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (IRPCS). To top it all, you will gain RYA qualifications that are recognisable in various locations.
With RYA courses like the Powerboat Level 2, you undergo continuous assessment instead of high-stakes final exams. This result-oriented and supportive approach helps in naturally building your skill level while allowing you become aware of your own limitations.
Gain International Recognition
This is also one of the top RYA benefits. The RYA certificate functions as a globally accepted marine passport and is often a legal requirement when cruising abroad. Although the UK does not require a compulsory licence for leisure boaters, it is a major requirement for many countries across Europe, in the Mediterranean, Caribbean, and beyond that rely on the RYA scheme to validate a sailor’s competence.
The RYA Powerboat Level 2 licence is the simplest and most noticeable pathway to gaining the International Certificate of Competence (ICC) for vessels up to 10 metres. It gives you the confidence to charter a yacht anywhere in the world. Without this document, you may be legally barred from operating or chartering a boat overseas.
If you are cruising in countries where an ICC is not mandatory, most charter companies and marine insurance providers often require proof of competence. Presenting an RYA certificate assures them that you have undergone a fully structured and internationally validated training.
In addition, the RYA curriculum is standardised, with the endorsement being globally understood as an indication of your skills in marine.
Career Progression
For those looking to start or progress their career in the marine industry, an RYA qualification is the first step. This qualification provides you access to a variety of roles in the industry:
Entry into the Superyacht industry: Jobs such as a tender driver or deckhand begin with the RYA Powerboat Level certification. Presenting this licence demonstrates that you have the professional competencies needed for tender operations and general seamanship.
Commercial Roles: Whether you want to work as a staff, a barefoot charter skipper, operate a passenger vessel, or on a flotilla holiday, an RYA licence is the basic requirement to progress to advanced qualifications.
Water Sports Management: RYA qualifications are a vital requirement for instructional and managerial positions in training centres, holiday trusts, and sailing clubs globally.
Get Your RYA Licence Via NXT Marine
RYA qualifications are the foundation for safe adventure, international travel, and professional careers in the marine industry. However, choosing where to train is just as important as choosing what to train.
At NXT Marine, we run Powerboat Level 2 tuition through the iconic stretch of central London, where you get to learn on the Thames and become an expert boater. Get in touch with us today by calling 020 8050 6628 or sending an email to info@nxtmarine.london to get started.