[Angela Clark]

All marine vessels, including your yacht, have to follow safety protocols at sea. The most vital of these are the International Safety Management (ISM) Code and the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code, which your yacht manager should be well versed with.
The ISM Code was implemented by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) to maintain an international standard set of safety and pollution prevention rules. The ISPS Code, which is an amendment of Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), deals with the minimum safety requirements.
Governments and marine vessels (like your yacht) are supposed to adhere to these. Preventative measures are taken if safety requirements are not adhered to.

[Lemming]

You’re probably not using your yacht every day of every week. A great idea for your private yacht in such cases is to convert it into a commercial yacht.
The idea is that a charter management company and the owner of a yacht can conduct a commercial transfer after registration.
The yacht owner can save money for maintenance, technical support, security, and safety measures, which makes for a great way to generate some business as well. Charter costs can be upwards of 1 millions dollars per week for the Large Luxury Yachts so it can be a good idea to Charter your yacht and also generate interest should it be on the market for sale.

[qbgtrfv]

A yacht manager is in charge of the yacht. The significant decisions and overall functioning of the yacht are supervised by yacht managers, who are also the primary point of contact for owners like you to report the essentials.
However, you should make sure that your manager is a team player and a good leader. He/She should be able to handle multitasking and must have excellent communication skills. These skills will allow them in executing successful operations management and overseeing the security and technical aspects of running and managing a yacht.
However, your yacht manager needs to be more than just a manager. Your yacht manager should have some solid experience in the field, ideally either a chief engineer, chief officer or a master mariner.
A chief officer is a licensed mariner for yachts while a master mariner is a licensed mariner that can captain any marine vessel and especially superyachts.
Furthermore, a yacht manager needs to be acquainted with ISM, ISPS, Port State Control and SOLAS codes that cover safety measures and rules and regulations regarding marine vessels. Ensure the Yacht Management company is well verse with the Flag state laws and regulations, e.g Cayman Islands.

[chernikov]

The five-day MCA Yacht Rating course is an MCA approved course and is highly recommended for entry level students who wish to enter the Super-yacht industry. It comprises both theory and practical elements that give the student a comprehensive and all-round general knowledge of the requirements of the industry. It incorporates three separate MCA approved courses: Mega Yacht Crew – VHF Radio Operators – Small Power Boat and Rib Master here

[bbking2010]

Standards of Training, Certification and Watch Keeping for Seafarers STCW defines the training necessary for all persons employed at sea. Starting out requires the satisfactory completion of safety and security courses which is a compulsory requirement for all aspiring crew members to complete. You must be able to assist members of your team if and when the time arises. [links]

[LuciferUA]

This MCA course meets all the requirements for revalidating a MCA Advanced Firefighting certificate. The course is limited to those personnel who already have the advanced firefighting certification as well as maintained 1 year of sea time within the last 5 years.

[sunny256]

This Certificate of Competency allows the holder to be in charge of a commercial yacht up to 200 gross tons on unlimited voyages and is one of the requirements for the MCA Chief Mate (Yachts) qualification. (see MCA structure) The certificate is a qualification that indicates that the holder has sufficient knowledge of celestial navigation to navigate globally using a sextant and to plan, undertake and manage an ocean passage with a comprehensive understanding of the factors involved with regard to routing and weather/climate. more

[letharion]

On completion of this 2 day course, students will satisfy the requirement of every five years to provide evidence of having maintained the required competence in Basic Training. Entry requirements are, that you have previously been issued with a STCW certificate (STCW 95). This course is a requirement of the amended STCW 2010. This 2day refresher course meets the requirements set out in Chapter Vl of the STCW Code for the revalidating of Personal Survival Techniques-( STCW A-Vl/1-1 ) and Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting -( STCW A-Vl/1-2). Students would be advised to read and make themselves aware of the requirement in the MCA M-Notice MSN 1865 (M). [links]

[jjenicewebstern]

Sir Francis Chichester
The first man to circumnavigate the globe from west to east single-handed, will forever be a part of the history of yachting. This unassuming man, also an entrepreneur and an aviator, epitomized the spirit of sailing and adventure.

[Decksperiment]

Ring Command bezel
Rolex achieved perfection when it turned its attention to redefining the purpose and functionality of the bezel. Typically, a bezel operates independently from the internal mechanism; however, the Ring Command bezel in the Yacht-Master II regatta chronograph operates in conjunction with it.
more

[jimbob007]

The Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master is the only Professional model offered in three sizes: 42, 40 and 37 mm. The Yacht-Master’s Oysterflex bracelet, developed and patented by Rolex, offers a sporty alternative to the metal bracelets without compromising robustness, water resistance or reliability. more

[thefranksteak]

Several have set sail wearing a Rolex wristwatch chronometer, including Sir Francis Chichester, Bernard Moitessier and Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, who are known for being the first yachtsmen to complete solo round-the-world voyages in under a year.

[andy]

Taking on the might of the oceans demands courage and an innate sense of adventure. Sailors must thoroughly prepare for all eventualities before they set off, for they know they will inevitably face bad weather, damage to their boat and any number of other incidents.

[bitcool]

Many Rolex watches are available with the now-legendary combination of yellow, white or Everose gold and steel known as Rolesor, but Rolesium is a creation specific to the Yacht-Master. While the case and bracelet are in rugged Oystersteel, the bezel of the Rolesium versions is made of 950 platinum, imparting a silvery whiteness and vibrant luminosity for an unmistakable sense of luxury. [links]

[w8ks6]

Full details can be found on the RYA Website. [links]

[Ben Walsh (beamer)]

Practical Exam Pre Requirements [links]

[crema]

RYA YachtMaster Offshore Commercial Endorsement

[mhatta]

Extended live-a-board Yachtmaster Fast Track practical sailing program will see you complete all the necessary sea time, sea miles and qualifying passages outlined in the Yachtmaster Offshore Exam Pre Requirements. As well as cover all the practical sailing and boat handling elements required to bring you up to speed to pass the Yachtmaster Offshore Exam Syllabus. In addition to providing you with one to one theory coaching opportunities to ensure that your Yachtmaster Offshore Theory knowledge is at a level to breeze through the exam.

[Corazon20]

According to the RYA, there is no formal training required to pass the YachtMaster™ Offshore Sail Certificate of Competence. [links]

[TranSlate]

Instead, provided you can demonstrate the level of boat handling skills, knowledge of IRPCS and understanding of the YachtMaster theory syllabus to YachtMaster standard during your 8 to 12 hour practical exam you be entitled to receive your certification.

[carol88miller]

A: You are absolutely correct, there are a number of companies that will give you a reduction in your boat insurance if you hold a Captain license or a recognized certificate of competency. But like car insurance, you should shop around for the best deal.

[kermit]

A - If you are going to be chartering in the USVI, you need to be qualified to US Coastguard standards. This would mean a "Six-Pack" license or similar to take paying passengers aboard your vessel. It is always in the best interests of your qualifications to complete the 5 day Basic STCW training courses (not the 3-day version), which will be acceptable to the BVI.
With regard to where you flag the vessel, the best people to talk to are the US Virgin Islands Charter League. You can contact Pamela Wilson at 1.800.524.2061.
With regards to being able to pick up charterers in the British Virgin Islands, there have been some changes recently so I would suggest you contact the British Virgin Islands Maritime Authorities for their most recent update. more

[nenolod]

Q : Is it true that boat insurance goes up dramatically when one obtains a Captains License? We have heard this, but would think that the opposite should be true - that a licensed captain should be a lower risk.
Rebecca V.