American in Europe

[joatmon67]

Looking for some advice. I'm living in Switzerland and have the time to get certifications / license's. I already have completed ASA 101~104. I understand this may not be enough for chartering, let alone employment over here.
I would like to know if RYA or ICC training / certification will be of any use when we move back to the USA in a year or two? Please tell me what you have experienced or may know.

[valhalla360]

While any experience is better than none, if you want to get commercial work in the USA, US Coast Guard Licensing is what you want.

Pretty much anything beyond a deck hand on a small charter boat requires it.

[leftbrainstuff]

Originally Posted by joatmon67

Looking for some advice. I'm living in Switzerland and have the time to get certifications / license's. I already have completed ASA 101~104. I understand this may not be enough for chartering, let alone employment over here.
I would like to know if RYA or ICC training / certification will be of any use when we move back to the USA in a year or two? Please tell me what you have experienced or may know.

In the US you'll need USCG certs. You'll also need to ensure you have the appropriate sea time as well.

For chartering the ASA bareboat quals are fine.

You mention employment in Europe? RYA quals will be recognized in that neck of the woods.

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[LTDsailing]

If you make it through RYA yacht master oceans, you can qualify for a USCG 200 ton masters license. That is a hard ticket to earn, but it can take you anywhere.

RYA certification is much better recognized internationally.

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[Time2Go]

Can't address the bit about working commercially
But I have just returned from the UK where I earned my
Coastal Skipper/Tidal Certification
I think a difference between that and ASA 101-104
Is in terms of Passage Planning with Tides and Tidal Current
These and wind direction rule when and if you go
(English Channel- North Sea)
The actual seamanship of sailing was the easy part
But passage planning for even relatively short 50nm trips
Were a real science project
Can't hurt yourself by taking a 5 day Coastal Skipper course
Study coastal nav, tides,lights, day shapes, buoys, collregs in advance
Plenty of good stuff available from the RYA and others
( I studied with BoatSafe Coastal Navigation)
I can recommend Shearwater Sailing School in Ipswich
Absolutley great instructors