Ready to reach the pinnacle of yacht commanding? The ISSA Master of Yacht course is the most advanced skipper program conducted at our academy for leisure. This license authorizes you to captain large power vessels up to 200 GT with unlimited distance from the shore, day and night, for a length of up to 24 metres.
Candidates must be 18 or older and must smoothly and fluently master all theoretical knowledge and practical skills required at the Offshore Skipper level.
Course framework: a minimum of 40 intensive instructional hours (5 days of combined theory and onboard practice) focused on refreshing theoretical knowledge and rigorous hands-on preparation for the final examination, which includes a night-sailing assessment.
Course Prerequisites
An official SRC/VHF marine radio certificate.
Valid First Aid and marine survival certificates.
Documented sea time: a minimum of 28 days of open-sea sailing as a lead skipper across at least 2 different voyages in various sea areas, plus at least 2 offshore passages of over 100 nautical miles each served as skipper.
Commercial endorsement pathway: to use this credential professionally on commercial vessels up to 200 GT, candidates must provide a full STCW 95 certification and an official maritime medical fitness certificate. Commercial licenses are valid for 5 years and require periodic renewal. Subject to proven prior experience, a licence for vessels over 24 metres and up to 350 GT is also available.
The ISSA Master persona: beyond technical expertise, an ISSA Master Yachtsman must embody a respectable appearance and true leadership with deep respect for the crew; absolute confidence in judgment and decision-making at sea; a reassuring, team-oriented presence; and complete composure during maritime emergencies.
Passing the final assessment is a strict, mandatory condition for receiving your official international Master of Yacht certification.
Our highest level of certification, from age 18 and up, for sailors who already fully master the Offshore Skipper material. Requires documented experience of 28 days of open-sea sailing including at least 2 voyages in different sea areas, and 2 passages of over 100 nautical miles each as skipper, alongside First Aid, marine radio (SRC/VHF) and sea-survival certificates. For a commercial licence on vessels up to 200 GT, an STCW 95 certificate and a medical fitness certificate are also required (valid for 5 years).
A minimum of 5 days of theory and practice, plus one examination day that includes a night passage.
A motor vessel up to 24 metres in length, up to 200 GT (greater length and up to 350 GT — subject to proven prior experience).
An ISSA international Master of Yacht licence — the highest professional grade, including the option of a commercial pathway.
The licence permits sailing with no distance limit from a safe shore, day and night, on vessels up to 24 metres in length. At commercial level (with STCW 95) the licence is also relevant for professional employment on large vessels, subject to renewal every 5 years. It meets the requirements of the ICC standard (International Certificate of Competence), established under Resolution No. 40 of the UNECE Inland Transport Committee and officially recognised in some 22 countries, most of them in Europe. In practice the licence is also accepted by yacht charter companies, marinas and port authorities across the Mediterranean basin, in the Caribbean and in South-East Asia. Read more in our article What is a skipper license.
Age 18 and up, full mastery of the Offshore Skipper material, and documented experience of 28 days of open-sea sailing including at least 2 voyages in different areas and 2 passages of over 100 nautical miles as skipper, together with First Aid, marine radio (SRC/VHF) and sea-survival certificates.
With no distance limit from a safe shore, day and night, on a motor vessel up to 24 metres in length and up to 200 GT.
Yes, provided the student also holds an STCW 95 certificate and a medical fitness certificate from a certified doctor. The commercial credential is valid for 5 years and requires renewal.
A minimum of 5 days of theory and practice, plus an examination day that includes a night passage.
