Welcome to the pinnacle of international maritime certification. The ISSA Master of Yacht course is the highest and most prestigious leisure skipper program conducted at our school. Designed for elite sailors (ages 18 and over), this credential authorizes you to command large sailing vessels up to 200 GT with no limitations on distance from shore.
This focused program consists of a minimum of 40 instructional hours dedicated primarily to advanced theoretical review and intensive preparation for the rigorous final assessment. Candidates are expected to smoothly, fluently and flawlessly master all knowledge and practical skills required at the Offshore Skipper level.
Mandatory Prerequisites & Entry Requirements
Valid certifications: a recognized First Aid certificate and a valid marine radio certificate (SRC/VHF).
Proven sea experience: a minimum of 28 days of active sailing in the open sea, completed across at least 2 distinct voyages in different geographical sea areas.
Command experience: a documented log of at least 2 offshore cruises exceeding 100 nautical miles each, acting in the capacity of the skipper.
Subject to proven prior experience, a licence for vessels over 24 metres and up to 350 GT is also available.
The ISSA Master Yachting profile — leadership at sea: commanding a vessel under a Master’s license demands more than technical navigation. An ISSA Master Yachting candidate must embody professional conduct — a respectable appearance and deep respect for the crew, peers and the maritime community; decisive command — complete confidence in every action, maneuver and critical decision at open sea; team leadership — a strong, supportive presence that ensures crew well-being; and absolute composure during maritime emergencies, diffusing stressful events and maintaining control.
Passing the final assessment is a strict, mandatory condition for receiving your official international Master of Yacht certification.
Our highest level of certification for sailing yachts, 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. A commercial licence for large vessels additionally requires STCW.
A minimum of 40 hours, devoted mainly to preparation and revision of the theoretical material ahead of the assessment.
A sailing yacht up to 24 metres in length, up to 200 GT.
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 sailing yachts up to 24 metres in length and up to 200 GT. At commercial level (with STCW) the licence is also relevant for professional employment on large vessels. 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.
You need to be 18 or over and to have full command of the Offshore Skipper material. On top of that we ask for 28 documented days of open-sea sailing, including at least two voyages in different sea areas and two passages of over 100 nautical miles as skipper. You will also need current First Aid, marine radio (SRC/VHF) and sea-survival certificates.
There is no distance limit from a safe shore. The licence covers sailing yachts up to 24 metres and up to 200 GT.
The sail course is for skippers who already master the Offshore Skipper material, so it focuses on revision and exam preparation, and 40 hours are enough. The Master course for motor yachts is longer because it deals with twin-engine yachts: there the skipper is also responsible for managing the engine mechanic (who usually serves as second-in-command), and studies engine systems and the handling of breakdowns and emergencies at sea in greater depth.
Yes, as long as you also hold an STCW certificate appropriate for large vessels.
