IYT Sailing Courses Explained
| Beginner Crew Skills |
Intermediate Skipper Skills |
Advanced Coaching |
Expert Mastery |
|---|---|---|---|
| International Crew | International Bareboat Skipper | Yachtmaster Coastal | Yachtmaster Offshore & Ocean |
About
International Yacht Training
International Yacht Training Worldwide (IYT) was founded in 1998 to provide recreational and professional sailors with certifications recognised around the world.
Over the past two decades, it has grown into one of the most globally connected boating training organisations, with several hundred partner schools operating across dozens of countries.
IYT offers a complete training pathway—from International Crew and Bareboat Skipper through to Yachtmaster Ocean—and extends into professional programmes including superyacht training.
Its qualifications are accepted by numerous national maritime administrations, including the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), USCG, Transport Canada, as well as most charter operators worldwide.
Uniquely, IYT is also one of the few non-governmental bodies authorised to issue the International Certificate of Competency (ICC), often required for yacht chartering across Europe and other regions.
Not sure which sailing course is right for you?
IYT Sailing Courses Progression Explained
Learn all you need to know about each IYT sailing course below:
International Crew
The IYT International Crew course is the first step in IYT’s recreational pathway. It introduces complete beginners to sailing and teaches the seamanship and safety skills needed to become an active, reliable member of a yacht crew.
Beginner
Skill level
3-5 Days
Duration
None
Prerequisites
Crewing
Enables
👉 Who is it for?
- Complete beginners with little to no sailing experience.
- Anyone wanting to join a yacht as crew, and learn the basics of sailing.
- Recommended minimum age: 16
📚 How to Prepare?
This course requires no required preparation. However, if you want to feel more ready, we suggest:
- Get familiar with basic boat terms like bow, stern, starboard, port, shrouds etc.
- Take the IYT Internation Crew Preparation e-course
⛵ What to Expect?
You’ll learn and practice the essentials of sailing — steering, sail handling, mooring, ropework, nautical terminology, and safety drills such as man-overboard recovery — all from the perspective of a crew member.
- Training is entirely hands-on. There’s no final exam; instead, your instructor provides continuous assessment and feedback to support your progress throughout the course.
- The IYT International Crew course typically runs over three to five days aboard a 30–45 ft sailing yacht. It’s usually liveaboard — meaning you’ll share close quarters, cook meals together, and take turns with onboard duties, just like on a real voyage.
🗺️ What does it Enable you to do?
Join a sailing yacht as an active crew member on coastal passages.
Contribute safely to onboard operations under the direction of a skipper.
Progress naturally to the IYT International Bareboat Skipper course for command training.
Syllabus & Key skills you'll learn
IYT International Crew Syllabus
- Nautical terminology
- Types of vessels and basic parts of a yacht
- Personal and boat safety
- Vessel checkout and daily routines
- Basic sail and power handling skills
- Steering under sail and power
- Ropework and knots
- Anchoring techniques
- Emergency procedures (including man overboard)
- Basic collision regulations (COLREGs)
IYT courses are delivered only by approved partner IYT Schools under certified instructors.
Student Story
International Bareboat Skipper + ICC
The IYT International Bareboat Skipper course builds the confidence and competence to take full command of a yacht — planning and executing coastal passages safely, managing crew, and making sound decisions as skipper.
You’ll develop navigation, pilotage, boat handling, and leadership skills. This course is widely recognized around the world and also enables you to apply for an ICC (International Certificate of Competence)
Intermediate
Skill level
5 Days
Duration
200NM, 10 days, VHF
Prerequisites
Skippering, Charter, ICC
Enables
👉 Who is it for?
Sailors who already have basic crewing or skippering experience (e.g. IYT International Crew or equivalent).
Anyone planning to charter and skipper yachts up to 24 metres in coastal waters less then 20NM offshore and favorable weather.
Minimum age: 16
Duration: Typically 5 days.
📚 How to Prepare?
At this level, you’ll be expected to combine practical sailing ability with solid theory knowledge.
Your first skipper course is challenging — and rewarding — because it transitions you from crew to a position of complete responsibility.
To get the most out of your course:
🧭 Make sure you meet the pre-requisites: 200NM & 10 days sailed, and have a valid VHF license.
🪢 Refresh your beginner level sailing skills and knowledge.
📚 Brush up on your theory, or take a theory course — navigation, COLREGs, and meteorology need to be at a solid level before the course.
⛵ What to Expect?
Five to six days of skippering, navigation, pilotage, and boat-handling instruction under real conditions.
You’ll plan passages, handle the boat under sail and power, and practice docking, anchoring, and emergency drills.
Focus on skippering judgement, crew leadership, and safe decision-making.
Assessment is continuous — combining practical skills, theory understanding, and responsible command. Your instructor will give you feedback throughout the course so you know what to work on.
🗺️ What does it Enable you to do?
Skipper a yacht for private cruising or charter in many parts of the world.
Qualify to apply for the International Certificate of Competency (ICC) — often required for chartering in Europe.
Progress toward IYT Yachtmaster Coastal and beyond.
Most importantly, it will give you the tools to go out and learn for yourself — and to make your mistakes and progress safely.
Ready to take charge? Book your IYT International Bareboat Skipper course today at Find a Sail.
Syllabus & Key skills you'll learn
IYT International Bareboat Skipper Syllabus
- Skipper responsibilities and crew management
- Safety, hull, rig, and systems checks
- Fuel, water, and provisioning planning
- Weather, forecasts, and local patterns
- Passage and pilotage planning
- Mooring, anchoring, and vessel handling in confined waters
- Tides, currents, and position fixing
- Collision regulations: lights, shapes, and sounds
- Ropework, knots, and general deck work
- Dinghy handling and tender operations
IYT courses are delivered only by approved partner IYT Schools under certified instructors.
Student Story
IYT Yachtmaster Coastal
The IYT Yachtmaster Coastal certificate is an advanced recreational qualification for already experienced skippers ready hone and test their skills. It’s a demanding, live-aboard course that blends theory, practical seamanship, and leadership — the step between coastal cruising and serious offshore sailing.
It’s a recognised certificate of competency for command of sail or power vessels up to 24 metres (78 ft), in coastal waters up to 60 miles offshore. The course runs typically over 5–6 days and ends with a practical and oral exam conducted by an IYT examiner.
Advanced
Skill level
5+ Days
Duration
800NM, 25 days, 12 Night hours, 2 Skipper days
Prerequisites
Offshore & Night sailing
Enables
👉 Who is it for?
The IYT Yachtmaster Coastal is for sailors who’ve already built solid skippering experience — those comfortable handling a yacht, leading a crew, and ready to refine judgment, navigation, and command.
If you’re preparing for extended coastal passages, challenging charters, or night navigation, this course takes your existing skills and sharpens them through real-world coaching.
It’s ideal for you if:
You’ve logged 800 NM, 25 days at sea, including 2 days as watch leader and 12 hours at night.
You’re confident skippering in varied conditions and want structured, assessment-based coaching.
Minimum age: 18.
📚 How to Prepare?
Your instructor will expect you to arrive with strong practical and theory foundations. To get the most out of the course:
Refresh your navigation, tides, and COLREGs — you’ll be using them daily.
Brush up your practical skills – get out on the water if possible.
If you’re rusty, completing a Yachtmaster-level theory course beforehand is strongly recommended.
⛵ What to Expect?
- A five-to-six-day live-aboard course that culminates in a practical and theory exam.
- You’ll plan and execute passages, often including night sailing.
- Expect to take command for significant parts of the course — planning routes, managing crew, and making decisions under real conditions.
- Topics include advanced navigation, passage strategy, meteorology, boat handling, safety at sea and emergency drills.
- Continuous assessment and coaching throughout — with a final exam by an independent IYT examiner.
It’s demanding but rewarding — a course that transforms a competent skipper into a confident commander.
🗺️ What does it Enable you to do?
With an IYT Yachtmaster Coastal certificate, you’ll be qualified to:
Command sail or power vessels up to 24 m (78 ft) in coastal waters up to 60 NM offshore.
Skipper extended coastal cruises and private charters in moderate conditions.
Progress toward the IYT Yachtmaster Offshore and Yachtmaster Ocean levels.
Not many sailors take this step — but if you’re ready to refine your skills and push your sailing envelope further, book your IYT Yachtmaster Coastal course at Find a Sail.
Syllabus & Key skills you'll learn
IYT Yachtmaster Coastal Syllabus
- International collision regulations
- Navigational charts and publications
- Dead reckoning and estimated position
- Position fixing
- Tides and currents
- Pilotage
- Safety at sea
- Meteorology
- Ropework
- Anchoring
- Boat handling
- Docking
- Passage planning
All IYT courses are conducted by approved IYT Partner Schools under qualified instructors and independent examiners.
Student Story
IYT Yachtmaster Offshore
The IYT Yachtmaster Offshore is an expert level course — a challenging recreational certificate for experienced skippers ready to take command of a yacht up to 24 m, as far as 150 NM offshore.
The course runs typically over 5–6 days and ends with a practical and oral exam conducted by an IYT examiner.
Expert
Skill level
6 Days
Duration
3000NM, 50days, 30h night
Prerequisites
Sail up to 150NM offshore day and night
Enables
👉 Who is it for?
The IYT Yachtmaster Offshore is for experienced sailors aiming to take full command offshore — those who already handle a yacht confidently in a range of conditions and now want to extend their competence to longer passages and heavier weather.
It’s designed for sailors who:
Have logged 3,000 NM and 50 days at sea, including 30 hours at night and at least 6 as watch leader/skipper.
Are comfortable with advanced navigation, weather systems, and night operations.
Want to take command of their own offshore passages or prepare for future professional development.
Minimum age 18, valid medical and VHF certification.
📚 How to Prepare?
Your instructor will expect you to arrive with strong practical and theory foundations. To get the most out of the course:
Refresh your navigation, tides, and COLREGs — you’ll be using them daily.
Get out on the water, test your skills, and identify areas to improve.
If you’re rusty, completing a Yachtmaster-level theory course beforehand is strongly recommended.
⛵ What to Expect?
- A five-to-six-day live-aboard course that culminates in a practical and theory exam.
- You’ll plan and execute passages, often including night sailing.
- Expect to take command for significant parts of the course — planning routes, managing crew, and making decisions under real conditions.
- Topics include advanced navigation, passage strategy, meteorology, boat handling, safety at sea and emergency drills.
- Continuous coaching throughout ensures you know exactly where to improve.
- Final day assessment includes a theory and practical exam conducted by an IYT examiner.
It’s intensive, hands-on, and one of the most respected recreational qualifications in sailing — a genuine test of real-world competence.
🗺️ What does it Enable you to do?
With an IYT Yachtmaster Offshore certificate, you’ll be qualified to:
Command sail or power vessels up to 24 m (78 ft) within 150 NM of shore.
Lead longer coastal or offshore passages in all kinds of weather conditions.
- Progress toward the IYT Yachtmaster Ocean certification.
Ready to test yourself at the very top? Book your IYT Yachtmaster course at Find a Sail.
Syllabus & Key skills
For IYT Yachtmaster Offshore ,expect to be tested on anything within the IYT Syllabus.
THEORY COMPONENT
- Chart-work Instruments
- Navigational Charts – Latitude and Longitude
- Definition of Distance, Speed, Time, and Direction
- The Magnetic Compass, Variation and Deviation
- Position Lines and Position Fixes
- Dead Reckoning and Estimated Positions
- Tides
- Currents
- Course to steer to counteract a current
- Meteorology
- Pilotage
- Passage Planning
- Electronic Navigation Aids
- International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea
- General Ships Knowledge, Knowledge of aids to navigation
- Marlinspike seamanship
PRACTICAL COMPONENT
- The practical application of:
- Safety
- Boat Handling and Manoeuvring
- General Seamanship
- Responsibilities of the Captain
- Navigation
- Meteorology
- Collision Regulations
All IYT courses are conducted by approved IYT Partner Schools under qualified instructors and independent examiners.
Student Story
Current IYT Sailing Course Listings
Nothing found
We’re sorry but we do not have any listings matching your search, try to change you search settings
IYT | Frequently asked questions
Are IYT sailing courses recognized internationally?
Generally, yes.
There’s no single global “sailing licence,” but IYT qualifications are among the most widely recognised worldwide thanks to multiple governmental approvals — including the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) and the US Coast Guard (USCG).
With an IYT International Bareboat Skipper certificate, you’re typically eligible to obtain an ICC (International Certificate of Competence), which many European charter companies require.
Recognition can still vary between countries and charter operators, so if you’re planning a trip, it’s always best to check their specific requirements in advance.
How does the IYT ensure instructor quality?
IYT maintains instructor quality through an approval process that combines global oversight with accountability at the school level.
Every instructor must be recommended by their school’s principal, who vouches for their competence and professionalism. IYT reviews each application — including qualifications, experience, and training records — before granting approval.
Trainee instructors must work under supervision until they’re officially approved, and all schools are subject to IYT audits and spot checks to ensure training standards remain consistent worldwide.
The result is a system that empowers trusted partner schools while keeping IYT’s global quality standards firmly in place.
Do I need to take a theory course?
Not strictly — but you do need to have the same level of theoretical knowledge.
Your practical course focuses on applying skills like navigation, COLREGs, tides, and passage planning, so arriving with that understanding already in place will make a huge difference to your confidence and progress.
IYT offers free e-learning modules for many of its courses — it’s well worth checking them out at IYT E-Learning.
Alternatively, you can build your theory knowledge through third-party courses, including those available in our Find a Sail Learning Centre.
Do I need to ‘do every step’ (e.g., Int. Crew before Int. Bareboat Skipper)?
No — you can enter at any level if you already have the required experience, theory knowledge, and practical skills expected below that level.
It’s highly recommended, though, to have either the official IYT prerequisite course or an equivalent qualification from another recognised training organisation before moving up.
For example, many sailors with prior crewing or skippering experience go straight to IYT International Bareboat Skipper.
That said, it’s important to choose the level that truly matches your experience — both for your enjoyment and your progress.
International Bareboat Skipper is not designed to teach the absolute basics; you’ll likely struggle without a good crewing foundation.
Yachtmaster Coastal and Offshore are coaching-based courses and assessments for seasoned skippers — you should already be competent and confident in all areas of seamanship; the course simply sharpens those skills and validates them through examination.
How long are IYT sailing licences valid for?
Most IYT certificates are valid for five years from the date of issue.
You can revalidate your certificate up to six months before it expires — renewing early won’t shorten your validity. The new certificate will start from the original expiry date and remain valid for another five years.
If your certificate has already expired, the new issue date will begin from when your revalidation is processed.
To renew, simply log in to your IYT Net profile and follow the revalidation instructions there.
Can I use IYT sailing licenses professionally?
No — the IYT recreational courses covered here are recreational certificates and cannot be used professionally.
IYT also offers a separate range of professional-level qualifications designed for superyacht crew and commercial mariners. These include courses such as Superyacht Deck Crew, Superyacht Hospitality, and Master of Yachts (Commercial).
If you’re aiming for a professional career at sea, you can explore the full list of approved professional programs on the official website:
👉 IYT Superyacht & Professional Courses
Can I get an ICC (International Certificate of Competency) through the IYT?
Usually, yes — if you hold an approved IYT qualification such as International Bareboat Skipper, you can apply directly for the ICC through IYT.
The ICC is recognised by the UK Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) and by Transport Canada (for the Canadian Edition, PCOC). Endorsements are available for Power 10 m, Power 24 m, Sail 24 m + Power 10 m, with an optional Coastal and Inland Waters (CEVNI) endorsement.
However, under UN Resolution 40, IYT cannot issue ICCs to residents of countries that already have their own national issuing authority. In that case, you’ll need to apply through your own national body.
What sailing license do I need to charter a yacht?
For most Mediterranean and European destinations, an IYT International Bareboat Skipper or ICC (International Certificate of Competence) is sufficient and widely accepted.
In more challenging cruising areas, some charter companies may prefer you to hold an IYT Yachtmaster Coastal or higher.
Many countries also require a valid VHF/SRC Radio Operator Certificate for the skipper — sometimes for at least one crew member as well.
Requirements vary by country and operator, so always confirm with your chosen charter company before booking.
Where can I take IYT sailing courses?
IYT has a global network of partner schools — particularly strong in North America (including the Caribbean and Canada), Europe, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, South Africa, and Australia.
The same IYT standards apply worldwide, though local conditions and training styles vary.
Choose a location that matches the kind of sailing you want to experience — and for broader skills, consider taking later courses in different regions and conditions.
Are there any other IYT boating courses?
Yes — IYT offers a wide range of recreational and professional courses beyond those covered here.
The courses listed on this page represent the core sailing pathway, designed to take you from beginner to confident skipper. But IYT also offers many specialised short courses, free e-learning options, and a suite of superyacht and professional crew qualifications for those pursuing maritime careers.
For the full list of available programs, visit:
👉 IYT Recreational & Professional Courses
