A Yachtmaster certificate is a qualification of the ability to handle either a sailing boat or motor boat in certain prescribed conditions. It is a recreational certificate of competency to command sailing and/or power vessels up to 24 meters in length up to 150 miles offshore. The RYA Yachtmaster certificate of competence is often the ultimate aim of aspiring skippers, and it is a well-known, highly respected qualification worldwide, proving the experience and competence of the skipper. There are three qualification paths depending on whether you like to sail in coastal or protected waters, offshore, or across an ocean. These are the Yachtmaster Coastal Certificate, the Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate, and the Yachtmaster Ocean Certificate. The Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate of Competence can be given a standard commercial endorsement which allows the holder to work as a Master on board vessels sailing under the British flag subject to the MCAs codes of practice for small commercial vessels of up to 200gt in category 1 to 6 waters - that is up to 150 miles from a safe haven, or Master Category 5 operating up to 200 nautical miles offshore, depending upon country.