Any RYA Certificate of Competence (CoC) from RYA Day Skipper to RYA Yachtmaster Offshore can be commercially endorsed. The most common commercial endorsements are done to the RYA Yachtmaster Offshore and RYA Ocean CoC to work commercially on yachts or to become an RYA instructor.
The commercial endorsement process requires a number of pre-requirements before you can apply:
- Professional Practices. Complete the RYA Professional Practices and Responsibilities short online course.
- Sea Survival. Attended either the RYA Basic Sea Survival or STCW Personal Survival Techniques courses.
- Radio Licence. Hold a RYA Marine Radio SRC Certificate or other acceptable GMDSS Marine Radio Operator’s Certificate.
- Medical Fitness. Hold a medical fitness form such as an UK MCA ENG 1, ML5 or in Hong Kong a “Medical Fitness Certificate for Seafarer On Board” which the UK MCA recognise as being equivalent to an ENG 1. There are a number of Hong Kong doctors who can perform the Hong Kong Seafarers Medical. and the cost is approximately HKD600 and lasts for 2 years if under 55 years old, 1 year if older than 55 years. For the full list of Medical Practitioners see here the Approved Seafarers Medical Doctors and to find the practitioner’s address use this website Medical Council List. An example is Dr Nicolson & Associates, +852 25251251, 402B New World Tower, 16-18 Queens Road Central, Central, Hong Kong.
Once you have all the pre-registration requirements together then download the application form (RYA Commercial Endorsement Form) and send off all the documents to the RYA with payment.
Re-validating
To revalidate your Commercial Endorsement after 5 years, you need to have logged at least 150 days of actual sea service on appropriate vessels during the previous five years and be in possession of a valid medical fitness certificate (see above). Once you have the requirements then download the application for re-validation form (RYA Commercial Endorsement Re-validation Form) and send off all the documents to the RYA with payment.