Principals and Chief Instructors

A3.1 Introduction

The Principal and Chief Instructor must fully understand their responsibilities to comply with these Recognition Guidance Notes (RGNs).

Before applying for RYA recognition a Principal and Chief Instructor must be in place. The same person may fulfil both roles. 

A3.2 Principal's undertaking

The Principal of a Recognised Training Centre (RTC) must be aged 18 or over and have sufficient authority within the organisation to manage the activities.

The Principal does not need to be a qualified instructor, but in such situations a Chief Instructor must be appointed for each discipline. One Chief Instructor can cover multiple disciplines if appropriately qualified.

By submitting a signed Application for Recognition, the Principal undertakes to maintain standards of RYA recognition. In particular the following should be noted that the Principal:

• is required to give a personal undertaking to ensure compliance by the RTC with the RGNs and the relevant vessel checklists, training scheme logbooks and handbooks.
• holds overall responsibility for compliance with these RGNs.
• along with the organisation they represent, must be fully aware of their responsibilities under any statutory or common law duty of care owed to trainees.
• has sought professional advice to assure themselves that they hold adequate insurance cover and comply with the RYA’s public liability insurance requirements.
• is expected to ensure all activities at the centre are conducted within the spirit of recognition and the Code of Conduct, using suitably qualified or experienced staff.
• confirms continued compliance by signing the annual inspection report.

A3.3 The Chief Instructor

Chief Instructor of an RTC should be aged 18 or over and have sufficient authority within the centre to manage the disciplines for which they are appointed.

The Chief Instructor undertakes to maintain standards of RYA recognition. In particular the Chief Instructor:

• has day-to-day responsibility for the standards of training, equipment maintenance and wellbeing of the students and instructors.
• has responsibility for staff training, selection, mentoring and compliance with the Code of Conduct.
• must ensure that instructors are suitably experienced and competent for the particular role they are being asked to fulfil.
• must be readily available to deal with issues relating to course delivery, particularly issues arising from instructors and students.
• must be sufficiently engaged with the day-to-day operation of the centre to enable adequate oversight of all processes relating to course booking and delivery.
  
• can only hold this position at one RTC

It is expected that Chief Instructors will reside in reasonable proximity of the centre.

A3.4 Qualifications required

The Chief Instructor must be qualified as shown below.

Some courses have specific requirements for instructor endorsements beyond what is required of the Chief Instructor. Details are shown under the relevant courses in the Practical Centres and Shorebased Centres sections.

Training scheme/discipline	RYA minimum qualification to be held by the Chief Instructor	Recognition required
Youth Sailing Scheme and Sailing Scheme	Senior Instructor who is also a Dinghy, Keelboat or Multihull Instructor depending on the discipline being offered	Practical
Youth Windsurfing Scheme and Windsurfing Scheme	Senior Instructor who is also a Windsurfing Instructor	Practical
Powerboat Scheme	Powerboat Instructor (if offering only Level 1, Level 2 or Safety Boat courses) Advanced Powerboat Instructor (if offering Intermediate, Advanced or Tender Operator courses)	Practical
Personal Watercraft	Personal Watercraft Instructor	Practical
Inland Waterways	Inland Waterways Instructor	Practical
Yachtmaster (Sail)	Yachtmaster Instructor Sail	Practical
Yachtmaster (Motor)	Yachtmaster Instructor Motor	Practical
Navigation	Shorebased Instructor, Yachtmaster Instructor or Powerboat Trainer (if offering only Essential Navigation and Seamanship courses) Shorebased Instructor or Yachtmaster Instructor (if offering Day Skipper or Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaster Offshore courses) Shorebased Instructor or Yachtmaster Instructor who also holds the RYA Ocean Certificate of Competence (if offering Yachtmaster Ocean courses)	Shorebased
Basic Sea Survival	Sea Survival Instructor	Shorebased
CEVNI	Shorebased or Practical Instructor who is familiar with the CEVNI rules	Shorebased
Diesel Engine	Diesel Engine Instructor	Shorebased
First Aid	First Aid Instructor	Shorebased
Marine Radio	SRC Assessor	Shorebased
Offshore Safety	Sea Survival Instructor	Shorebased
Professional Practices and Responsibilities	Yachtmaster Instructor or Advanced Powerboat Instructor who holds the PPR certificate	Shorebased
Radar	Radar Instructor	Shorebased
Safe and Fun	Practical Instructor who holds the Safe and Fun certificate and has experience of instructing RYA courses for children	Shorebased

A3.5 Contact with Principals and Chief Instructors

In general, the RYA will make contact with the Principal and/or Chief Instructor using the contact details provided on the Application for Recognition Form (AR1).

In exceptional circumstances, such as in relation to a serious incident, the RYA may use any other details available, including personal addresses, email addresses or phone numbers in order to make contact.