Skipper licensing 

The RYA does not believe that compulsory skipper licensing will of itself enhance safety.

The RYA does not believe that compulsory skipper licensing will of itself enhance safety. Recreational boating in the UK has a strong safety record as compared to other countries which have compulsory skipper licensing.

We believe that knowledge, skills and experience rather than regulation are the foundations upon which personal safety and responsibility are built.

The RYA wants to achieve

• Continued ethos of self-reliance and responsibility for own safety on board within the recreational boating community.

RYA has successfully

• Resisted previous attempts to introduce ill-conceived compulsory skipper licensing schemes that would contribute nothing to recreational boating safety.

RYA position

The RYA opposes the introduction of compulsory skippers’ licences for recreational boaters (on boats of less than 24m or 80GT).

Nevertheless, the RYA strongly encourages recreational boaters to undertake voluntary recreational boat training.

Currently

A significant part of the work done by the RYA is aimed at ensuring boaters - through training courses and awareness initiatives - are well equipped in terms of knowledge and experience for the boating activity they are participating in.

The UK has a strong learning culture in recreational boating. The RYA believes that knowledge, skills and experience are the foundations on which personal safety and responsibility are built.