M.C.A. Approves Name Changes for Certifications

For many years the M.C.A. approved Professional Yachtmaster Certification with STCW basic safety training is¬sued by IYT has been confused with the recreational Yachtmaster certification issued by the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) in the U.K. As a result, the M.C.A. approved IYT to change the name of its “Professional Yachtmaster Certificates” on June 26. Changes include: the IYT Yachtmaster Coastal, will be known as “Master of Yachts 200 Tons” (Coastal); the IYT Yachtmaster Offshore will be known as “Master of Yachts 200 Tons” (Offshore); and the IYT Yachtmaster Ocean will be known as “Master of Yachts 200 Tons” (Ocean). The Master of Yachts courses will continue to require STCW Basic Training. There will be no changes with regard to sea time, standards or content. The MCA will accept these certificates for use on private and commer¬cially registered yachts up to 200 tons. In keeping with the RYA and other recreational yachting organizations around the world, IYT “Recreational Yachtmaster Certificates” will still be known as IYT Yachtmaster Coastal, Offshore and Ocean. Students who hold IYT recreational Yachtmaster certificates will be able to upgrade to a “Master of Yachts 200 Tons” certificate by completing the STCW Basic training courses. Students who currently hold IYT Yachtmaster Certificates are not required to change them to “Master of Yachts” Certifi¬cates but may do so if they wish.