ISSA PRO delivers a trusted new standard of professional training for the global yachting industry.
ISSA has more than 55 years of experience in international maritime education and certification and is globally recognised as a professional authority dedicated to enhancing maritime safety, training quality, and professional competence.
ISSA PRO, as its professional training and certification framework, operates as a Recognised Training Organisation (RTO), delivering structured, credible, and internationally applicable training and assessment standards for commercial yachts and superyachts.
The framework integrates the STCW Convention, commercial yacht codes, classification society requirements, and recognised industry best practices. It emphasises competence-based, practical training, ensuring that certification is founded on demonstrated operational capability and sound professional judgement rather than theoretical knowledge alone.
ISSA PRO defines clear professional competency standards for all levels of yacht personnel, supports compliant operations, career development, and long-term professional growth, and maintains global consistency and credibility through rigorous quality assurance systems.
Commercial yachts and vessels with a load line length of 24 metres or more, with a gross tonnage of less than 500 GT or up to 3,000 GT, that do not carry cargo, and are restricted to a maximum of 12 passengers, and which operate under commercial certification and applicable flag-state regulations
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Privately owned sailing or motor yachts used exclusively for sport or recreational purposes, with a load line length of 24 metres or more, and a gross tonnage of less than 500 GT or up to 3,000 GT, that do not carry cargo, are limited to a maximum of 12 passengers, and are not engaged in any commercial operations
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Commercial or private boats with a load line length of less than 24 metres that donot carry cargo, are restricted to a maximum of 12 passengers, and operate under commercial certification and applicable flag-state regulations. This category includes diving and fishing vessels for commercial use, tug operators, and other small craft engaged in commercial operations
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In addition to vessel-specific certification pathways, the ISSA Professional Framework also encompasses Maritime Professional Training, designed to enhance operational competence, safety standards, and continuous professional development across the wider maritime sector
