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Do you dream of independently sailing a yacht and discovering the charms of the sea, or perhaps even the ocean? The Yacht Master License (YSM) is your ticket to the world of true maritime adventure. At SailCraft, we understand that obtaining the license can seem like a challenge. However, with the right support and preparation, it can turn into a satisfying and passionate adventure. In this article, we will guide you step by step on how to obtain the Yacht Master License.

Table of Contents

1. Basic Requirements

2. How to document your sea experience?

3. How to prepare for the YSM exam?

4. What does the YSM exam look like?

5. How much does the exam cost?

6. Summary - table

Basic requirements for the Yacht Master License

Minimum age

One of the basic requirements to be eligible for the Yacht Master exam is to be at least 18 years old by the date of the exam. There is no possibility of taking the exam earlier, even if you meet all other conditions.

Do you need a yacht sailor's license?

Although it is not formally required to have a Yacht Sailor's License, it is definitely worth obtaining. It provides a solid knowledge base that facilitates learning and reduces stress during the YSM exam.

To learn more about sailing licenses, read the article:Which sailing license to choose? Types of sailing licenses in Poland.

Also check outour training offers.

Sea experience requirements

To take the Yacht Master License exam, you must document at least 200 hours of sea sailing completed during at least two sea voyages. This experience is essential to qualify for the Yacht Master License exam.

It is important that:

• The voyages take place in sea waters (not inland),

• They are varied – ideally, they should occur in different weather conditions and on different bodies of water,

• They are properly documented,

• Participation in the voyages must be active – real participation counts, not just passive presence on board.

Although 200 hours is the minimum requirement, many sailors choose to have a longer experience – greater experience translates into confidence during the exam and later safety at sea.

At SailCraft, we help organize training voyages that meet all formal requirements and are conducted by experienced skippers – this ensures that your experience will be properly credited and, most importantly, valuable for learning.

Contact usto learn more details!

How to document your sea experience?

The primary document confirming sea experience when applying for the Yacht Master License is the so-called voyage reports, issued by the captain. These voyage reports are sent to the Polish Sailing Association (PZŻ) to verify compliance with the exam requirements.

Each report should include:

• the dates of the voyage,

• the number of hours sailed (under sail and under engine),

• the number of nautical miles,

• the role performed on the yacht

Based on this, the experience necessary to qualify for the exam is counted.

Sailing logbook and yacht journal

Although a sailing logbook and yacht journal are not required, they are helpful documents that are worth keeping.

The sailing logbookserves as a personal sailing diary – it is a valuable source of knowledge about past voyages, routes, experiences, and your own sailing development.

The yacht journalis considered a good sailing practice - it is a record of events, navigation conducted, and prevailing conditions. In case of an accident or other significant incident, it allows for reconstructing the sequence of events. It is also very helpful when issuing voyage reports.

How to prepare for the Yacht Master License exam?

Choosing a Sailing School

Although there is no requirement to complete a course to obtain the license, it is worth considering. A course provides comprehensive preparation for both the theoretical and practical exams. A professional approach, experienced instructors, and a well-planned training program are key to effective learning and successfully passing the exam.

See our guide:How to choose a good sailing school?

Theory for the exam - what do you need to know?

The Yacht Master License exam covers a wide range of topics: navigation, piloting, meteorology, regulations, rescue, and safety at sea. It is not just theory – it is knowledge that directly impacts your decisions as a skipper.

The best way to absorb this material is to participate in a well-planned course – like ours, which comprehensively prepares for the exam and real sailing.

Program the course in SailCraft covers all examination topics required by the Polish Sailing Association.

Maneuvers with a sailing yacht

No textbook can replace real experiences on the water. Practical maneuvering is the most important element of training for a Yacht Master at Sea – it is on the yacht that you learn to make quick decisions, assess the situation at sea, and act under pressure. Skillful maneuvering of a yacht, especially in difficult conditions, is the foundation of safe and responsible sailing.

During the course with SailCraft, in addition to solid theoretical knowledge, you will also gain practical skills that will not only allow you to pass the exam smoothly but, most importantly, prepare you for independently, confidently, and safely navigating a yacht at sea.

What does the exam for a Yacht Master at Sea look like?

The exam for JSM consists of two parts: theoretical and practical. Both knowledge and the ability to independently navigate a sailing yacht in various conditions are assessed.

Theoretical part – test and navigation tasks

Includes a multiple-choice test and computational tasks covering, among others:

• pilotage (marking, maps, navigation aids),

• navigation

• meteorology, rescue, signaling and communication (including GMDSS procedures, VHF radios),

• construction and operation of a yacht,

• planning a voyage and basic rules of the road.

Practical part – maneuvers and commanding a yacht

The water exam checks skills in areas including:

• sailing maneuvers,

• engine maneuvers – mooring, anchoring, approaching a ‘man overboard’,

• communication and crew management

The full scope of knowledge is defined by the Regulation of the Minister of Sport and Tourism of April 9, 2013..

Common mistakes – what to avoid?

• Unfamiliarity with regulations and navigation signs,

• Lack of skills in reading nautical charts,

• Stress and chaotic actions during port maneuvers,

• Uncertainty when approaching a man overboard.

That’s why thorough preparation – both theoretical and practical – is so important. In our course, we conduct exam simulations, so you know what to expect and can approach the exam with greater calm.

Also, see our guide: How to obtain a sailing license in Poland - step by step guide

How much does the exam for a Yacht Master at Sea cost?

Fees for the exam and issuance of the license

Current exam fees and the cost of issuing a Yacht Master at Sea license can be found on the website of the Polish Sailing Association (PZŻ). Prices may change, so it is always worth checking them directly from the official source.

It is worth remembering that students and pupils under 26 years of age are entitled to a 50% discount.

How to apply for the issuance of a license?

After passing the exam, you can apply for the issuance of the license:

• online – through the PZŻ system (registration and login required),

• or in person at a selected PZŻ branch.

After successfully passing the exam for a Yacht Master at Sea, you can submit an application for the issuance of the license. To do this, prepare:

• A photo in the format of 3.5 x 4.5 cm,

• Confirmation of payment for the issuance of the license,

• Certificate of passing the exam – a document issued by the examination center, confirming possession of knowledge and skills in sailing. Without it, you cannot submit an application!

Summary - table: Requirements for Yacht Master at Sea

Ready for the exam?

Sign up today for the Yacht Master at Sea course in SailCraft and start your sailing adventure with professional preparation!

If you want to learn more about sailing, also check out our blog.

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