Many years ago, IYT identified the need for a standardised approach to yacht training globally, and the company has successfully established a partnership programme offering IYT courses to students through a network of high quality international training providers.
The company offers courses for the professional Superyacht industry from interior and deck crew, to Master of Yachts 200 Tons Unlimited. IYT can help you to achieve the necessary qualifications required for an exciting career in the Superyacht industry.
Many IYT qualification’s are accepted around the globe, and unlike other training organisations, IYT insists on an understanding of IALA Regulations Areas A & B, weather systems and tidal calculations in the North & Southern hemispheres, and the effects of tropical revolving storms.
The IYT Master of Yachts – Overview
The IYT Master of Yachts (MOY) courses are professional courses for those who wish to work in the Superyacht industry. They are approved and accepted by a number of global administrations including the British Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), for use on Red Ensign commercial and privately registered power and sailing vessels. This certification is is of vital importance because it is an established and globally recognised standard of competency.
The MCA were the first administration to recognise professional yachting as a career, and many years ago introduced the “Code of Practice for Commercial Yachts and Sail Training Vessels.”. The “Code of Practice” has now become the industry’s “standard” for Superyachts and has since been replicated by other administrations.
In May 1997, the MCA evaluated IYT’s Master of Yachts courses and determined that they met the high standard of excellence required for crew working on Red Ensign vessels. Since then, other administrations have also approved the IYT courses.
For those seeking a career in professional yachting, you will also be required to complete Basic Safety Training courses as laid down by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) , STCW convention. (STCW stands for the Standards of Training and Certification of Watchkeepers) .
There are three levels of IYT Master of Yachts Certification and all students are required to comply with the STCW ’95 Regulations VI/1 Sections VI/1-4.
- Master of Yachts Coastal/Mate 200 tons
- Master of Yachts 200 Tons Limited
- Master of Yachts 200 Tons Unlimited 200
If I obtain a Master of Yachts qualification in what capacity am I qualified to work on board?
Each level of the Master of Yachts certification allows the student to work in various positions on board.
The MCA’s manning scale for motor and sail yachts (below) outlines these positions.
To summarise, IYT qualifications will allow:
- Master of Yachts Coastal/Mate 200 Tons:
- Master <24m vessel <60 nm offshore
- Chief Mate of <500 ton vessel <60 nm offshore
- Chief Mate of <200 ton vessel <150 nm offshore
- Master of Yachts Limited 200 Tons:
- Master of <200 ton vessel <150 nm offshore
- Chief Mate of <500 ton vessel <150 nm offshore
- OOW (Officer of the Watch) of <500 ton vessel all oceans
- Master of Yachts Unlimited 200 Tons:
- Master of <200 ton vessel all oceans
- OOW (Officer of the Watch) of <500 ton vessel all oceans
How do I get my IYT Master of Yachts certificate commercially endorsed?
The IYT “Master of Yachts” and the IYT “Small Powerboat & RIB Master” certificates do not require a “commercial endorsement” because they are commercial certificates.
The ‘Yachtmaster” certificates issued by the Royal |Yachting Association (RYA) are recreational certificates that require a “commercial endorsement” if one wishes to work commercially.
The MCA has recognised the following IYT certificates as being “commercial” in their own right:
- Master of Yachts Coastal/Mate 200 Tons
- Master of Yachts Limited 200 Tons
- Master of Yachts Unlimited 200 Tons
- Small Powerboat & RIB Master
For further information please contact the Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) Seafarers Standard Branch. https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/maritime-and-coastguard-agency
What are the advantages of holding an IYT Master of Yachts Certificate?
The IYT Master of Yachts certificates are the most internationally recognised qualifications for yachting worldwide and are currently accepted for commercial use by many different governments. IYT Master of Yachts qualifications are recognised by multiple marine insurance companies and are accepted by yacht charter companies worldwide.
What happens if I am color blind, hearing impaired or have other medical issue?
The MCA are no longer allowing Deckhands, Officers of the Watch, Mates or Masters who have color blindness to hold MCA certification. In the past, those who were diagnosed with color blindness were issued certificates with the endorsement” no solo watch” or “dual watch only”.
Because the IYT/MCA Master of Yachts certificates are commercial in nature, IYT will be complying with the same MCA requirements and will be unable to issue any commercial certificates to those who have color blindness. It is imperative that students undertake a color blindness test BEFORE they enroll in any IYT/MCA commercial course as we will not be able to certify them.
Also, it is important to note that a ‘lantern test’ for color blindness is no longer accepted. The test must be an Ishihara or CAD test.
Those who already hold IYT/MCA commercial certificates with a color blindness endorsement “no solo watch” will be able to renew with the same endorsement”.
For candidates who are hearing impaired, hearing loss should not exceed 20 decibels for the frequencies of 500Hz, and 1000Hz and 2000Hz. When hearing level does not meet these standards, hearing aids may be accepted providing the above standards can be reached when using the aid and watch keeping duties at sea can be adequately performed.
Candidates with Type 1 Diabetes may receive the IYT Master of Yachts Coastal/Mate and Limited Certificates of Competency. However, please know that the MCA may not allow you to progress to the OOW or 500 and > Master Certification.
Please note that the MCA will not issue an STCW qualification to candidates who do not pass the “ENG1 Medical Fitness Examination”. The MCA will not allow you to progress to the OOW or 500 and > Master Certification.
STCW Training Overview
What is STCW?
STCW stand for the “International Convention on Standards of Training & Certification of Watchkeepers (STCW), 1978. It sets out qualification standards for masters, mates, officers and watch personnel and was adopted by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in London, and entered into force in 1984. The Convention was significantly amended in 1995, and again in 2019 (now known as the Manila amendments) and therefore, you will sometimes see it referred to as STCW ’95 or STCW 10.
Recent changes to STCW that affect you:
The IMO adopted a new set of amendments in Manila in 2010 called “The Manila Amendments.” These amendments were necessary to keep training standards in line with new technological and operational requirements that require new shipboard competencies. The Manila Amendments were effective as of January 1, 2012. Implementation is progressive, and every year a modified set of requirements comes into force. The most significant amendments are:
- New rest hours for seafarers.
- New grades of certificates of competence for able seaman in both deck and engine.
- New and updated training, refreshing requirements.
- Mandatory security training.
- Additional medical standards.
- Specific alcohol limits in blood or breath.
IYT No Longer Offers STCW Courses – as of May 1, 2022
Basic STCW training courses are available throughout the world at most nautial colleges or nautical training schools and the STCW certificates are issued by the flag state.
The Basic STCW training courses consist of:
- Personal safety and social responsibilities (PSSR)
- Basic fire fighting and fire prevention
- Personal survival techniques
- Elementary first aid
- Proficiency in maritime security awareness
If you hold the IYT Marshall Islands Basic STCW Certificates, you can continue to work using these qualifications. However, IYT will no longer renew these certificates as this function will now be carried out by the Marshall Islands Shipping Registry. https://www.register-iri.com/yacht/
Holders of Basic STCW qualifications need only do “Refresher Training” for Personal Survival Techniques and Fire Fighting and Fire Prevention with a recognised training provider and present the “Refresher Training” certificate of completion along with your existing IYT Marshall Islands Basic STCW Certificates.
The Following Is Provided for Superyacht Crew as Information Only
STCW Refresher Training is now compulsory for revalidation of all STCW’95 certificates with an expiry date after January 1, 2017 or those having no expiration date.Basic STCW 95 refresher training is now mandatory every five years.
- This is a 2 day course of practical training for Personal Survival Techniques and Basic Fire Fighting.
- To avoid retaking the entire “Personal Survival Techniques” module, students must complete a self-declaration form declaring they have performed the following duties during drills or simulated exercise situations within the last 5 years:
- Donning a life jacket
- Boarding a survival craft from ship, while wearing a life jacket
- Taking initial actions on boarding a lifeboat to enhance chance of survival
- Streaming a lifeboat drogue or sea-anchor
- Operating survival craft equipment
- Operating location devices, including radio equipment
*Note that the vessels’ registered number and dates on board are also required on the declaration.
- From 1 January 2017, the STCW Survival and Fire Fighting Certificates will only be valid for 5 years. This means anyone who attended one of these courses before 1 January 2012 will need to do a refresher course before the end of 2016.
**Please note that not all flag states accept STCW certification from other flag states (such as the United States) so please check with your flag state before taking any STCW refresher courses.