CERTIFICATIONS
Worldwide recognition.
Your passport to charter globally.
Our courses are designed to take you from a complete novice to a master of the oceans.
Below you will find our certification pathway detailed in sequence.
Choose the level that matches your experience.
VHF MARINE COMMUNICATIONS MASTER (SRC)
Vital for safety. Covers maritime safety systems, GMDSS, and correct radio procedures to maximize clarity. You will learn distress protocols (Mayday/Pan-Pan), Search and Rescue interplay, and digital selective calling (DSC). Mandatory for Bareboat and Yachtmaster candidates.
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GMDSS
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EPIRBS & SART
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Mayday, Urgency & Safety Calls
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Channel 16 & Ships Channels
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Obligations and Imperatives
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INTERNATIONAL BAREBOAT SKIPPER
The gold standard for chartering. Allows you to command a vessel up to 24m in coastal waters worldwide (20 miles offshore). Designed for those with existing sailing ability to refine command skills and navigation. Requires: 200NM logged. Age 16+
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Passage Planning & Pilotage
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Meteorology & Collision Regulations
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Handling in Confined Quarters
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Heavy Weather Sailing & Reefing
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YACHTMASTER OFFSHORE
Highly regarded qualification for commanding yachts up to 150 miles offshore in any weather. Rigorous program combining high-level theory with practical refinement. A mark of true competence.
Requires: YM Coastal, 2,500NM logged (3-5 years exp), VHF & Medical.
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Advanced Meteorology & Tidal Calculations
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Situational Awareness & Command
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Heavy Weather Seamanship
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Comprehensive Passage Planning
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INTERNATIONAL CREW
The ideal start for beginners. A hands-on course with minimal theory, focused on making you a useful crew member on yachts up to 24m. You will learn to hoist/trim sails, steer, anchor, and assist in docking operations safely.
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Safety & Lookout duties
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Rigging & Parts of the Yacht
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Helming (Reaching, Tacking, Gybing)
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Man-Overboard Recovery & Knots
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YACHTMASTER COASTAL
Comprehensive live-aboard course for experienced sailors operating day and night up to 60 miles offshore. Theory and practice are interwoven, covering advanced navigation and night watches. Requires: 800NM logged, Bareboat/Day Skipper license & VHF-SRC.
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Advanced Collision Regulations
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Dead Reckoning & Position Fixing
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Night Pilotage & Blind Navigation
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Safety at Sea & Meteorology
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YACHTMASTER OCEAN
The highest recreational qualification for ocean crossing (Blue Water) sailing. Focuses on celestial navigation (Sextant) and worldwide meteorology for when electronics fail. Removes all distance limitations. Requires: YM Offshore, 3,000NM logged,
50 days at sea. VHF & Medical.
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Spherical Trigonometry & Sextant
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Sight Reduction (Sun, Moon, Stars)
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Great Circle Sailing
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Oceanography
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Prove What You Know
Think of the exam as the final logbook entry of your training.
It is designed to ensure you are safe and confident,not to catch you out.
Review your notes, relax, and show us what you have learned.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHY SHOULD I CHOOSE IYT CERTIFICATION OVER RYA?
While both organizations provide high quality training, IYT (International Yacht Training) is designed specifically for the international sailor. IYT is currently recognized by 47 different governments and maritime authorities worldwide, significantly more than any other organization, including RYA. This means your IYT license has a much broader legal acceptance for chartering and operating vessels across diverse international waters. Furthermore, IYT was the first to achieve ISO 9001:2008 certification, reflecting a modern, modular approach to maritime education that is streamlined for global citizens who need their credentials to be as mobile as they are.
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WHICH CERTIFICATION DO I NEED TO RENT A BOAT?
To charter a yacht globally, the International Bareboat Skipper is the industry standard. It allows you to command a vessel up to 24 meters in coastal waters. However, most Mediterranean countries and charter companies also strictly require a VHF Marine Communications Master (SRC) license to operate the radio. We recommend obtaining both to ensure a seamless experience at any marina worldwide.
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DO THESE CERTIFICATIONS EXPIRE?
IYT recreational certifications are valid for five years. After this period, you can easily renew your credentials through the IYT online portal by paying a small administrative fee. No further exams or practical tests are required for renewal, ensuring your "passport to the ocean" stays active for life with minimal effort.
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I AM NOT BASED IN GERMANY. CAN I STILL JOIN YOUR COURSES?
Absolutely. We train students from all over the world, including the USA, UK, Australia, and Brazil. Our instruction is 100% in English, and our certifications are internationally recognized. You can join our intensive 7-day practical programs in Croatia or the Caribbean, regardless of where you live.
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I AM A COMPLETE BEGINNER. WHERE SHOULD I START?
The International Crew course is designed specifically for you. It is 100% practical, focusing on safety, sail handling, and essential knots. If you happen to be in Munich, you can start with our lake sessions, but most international students dive straight into our 7-day immersive sea courses.
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WHAT ARE THE LOGGING REQUIREMENTS FOR ADVANCED LEVELS?
Moving from Bareboat to Yachtmaster requires documented sea miles. For Bareboat Skipper, you need 200 miles logged. Yachtmaster Coastal requires 800 miles, and Yachtmaster Offshore requires 2,500 miles. We help our students track these miles accurately in their official logbooks during our training expeditions.
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WHAT HAPPENS IF THE WEATHER IS BAD DURING MY TRAINING?
Safety is our absolute priority, but "bad" weather is often the best teacher. Unless conditions are dangerous, we use heavy weather as a training opportunity to teach reefing, storm tactics, and advanced seamanship. This builds the real offshore confidence that Sailing Munich is known for.