Yacht Master 3rd class gives you the right to be the mate on recreational vessels in all waters and the right to be master of recreational vessels of up to 24 meters in the Baltic Sea and the North Sea, around the British Isles, Norway, the Faroe Islands and along the coasts of Greenland.
A valid Certificate of Competency as Yacht Master also entitles you to sail a power boat, and with the certificate, you do not also need to have a power boat certificate.
The certificate requirements for larger recreational vessels between 15 and 24 meters are laid down in the Consolidated act on the manning of ships.
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Digital Certificate of Competency
Certificates of competency are now fully digital, this also applies to Yacht Master 3rd and 1st class.
Certificates issued after 4 December 2024 are digital and can therefore be displayed via the My Maritime app and our self-service, as documentation for e.g. Police on the water.
How do I obtain a Certificate of Competency as Yacht Master 3rd class?
You achieve Yacht Master 3rd class by passing the Yacht Master 3rd class exam. It is required that you have passed the theoretical and practical exam for the Certificate of Competency for recreational sailors before you can take the Yacht Master exam. Please note that the power boat exam does not give access to the Yacht Master exam.
The exam must establish that you can navigate in a safe manner as a mate or master of a large recreational vessel in accordance with the Consolidated act on the manning of ships and observe of the safety of the ship, and includes, among other things, rules of the road, watchkeeping, navigation, seamanship, meteorology, maritime law, safety at sea, risk assessment, fire prevention and fighting as well as protection of the marine environment.
You can take courses at sailing clubs and at evening schools, and the approved providers arranges the exam. You must therefore contact an approved provider to be approved for taking the exam.
How do I obtain a Certificate of Competency as Yacht Master 1st class?
Yacht Master 1st class gives you the right to be master of recreational vessels of up to 24 meters in all waters.
You obtain the Certificate of Competence as Yacht Master 1st class by passing the exam for Yacht Master 1st class. In addition, there is a requirement for either:
- 6 months seagoing service in recreational vessels between 15 and 24 metres, as Yacht Master 3rd class, or
- 6 months seagoing service in recreational vessels between 10 and 15 metres, as well as found suitable by a competence assessment made by an approved provider
The exam must establish that you can navigate in a safe manner as a master of large recreational vessels in accordance with the Consolidated act on the manning of ships and must be able to observe of the safety of the ship, including navigating and planning voyages in all waters, and includes, among other things, international navigation, seamanship, communication, meteorology and medical knowledge.
You can take courses at sailing clubs and at evening schools, and the approved providers arranges the exam. You must therefore contact an approved provider to be approved for taking the exam.
Questions regarding the Yacht Master exams and training should be directed to the approved providers.
Certificate of Competency as a Yacht Master
For your application for a Certificate of Competency, you must have a valid vision and hearing test certificate for recreational sailors. Only approved maritime medical examiners can issue vision and hearing test certificates for recreational sailors, alternatively a Danish specialist in ophthalmology.
When you have passed your Yacht Master exam and have a valid vision and hearing test, you can apply for a Certificate of Competency as Yacht Master 3rd or 1st class at the Danish Maritime Authority.
When you apply, you must have your MitID and payment card ready. A certificate costs DKK 855.
Click here to apply for a Certificate of Competency