Sailor/Seamanship Certification comparison

[leitgib]

I'm searching an up-to-date comparison of the various certification and their recognition at a global level. I want to know what are the pro's and cons of a IYT or RYA yachmaster vs. ASA and vs. any other broadly recognized certificate.

Anybody with a pointer to a blog or to a thread where this is maintained?

I sail for 40 years, and it is time to get some official paper on top of my experience. I want the widest accepted paper. I'd like to know what is accepted where (and not accepted) and if there are other important criteria than geography to be taken into consideration.

Thanks!

[GordMay]

"Accepted" widely, for what purpose?

[leitgib]

Any purpose, just trying to understand what is what. Why would this country or that operator value a given certificate more than the other?

[Lake-Effect]

Echoing Gord - it would help to know a bit more about on what basis you want them compared. Chartering? Cruising area? Price? Bragging rights?

It might be helpful to pose your question to one of the better sailing schools - particularly one that teaches to more than one standard (eg RYA and ASA).

[psk125]

What certification is “worth” more depends a lot on what you want to do, where and when. If you want to charter the smallest boat in their fleet for two weeks during their low season when good weather is forecast, a charter company may not be too picky: they’re eager for business and may not bother to ask to see any certificate. If you want to take their biggest ketch in the middle of high season and nasty weather is expected, they may want to see multiple certificates from you and your crew. It may also depend on their insurance policy requirements. People generally get whatever certification they can reasonably secure wherever they are doing their sailing. It would not make sense for Europeans to get ASA certificates, nor for Americans to get Glenans training as a matter of course. People therefore have different certifications that confirm their skills at different things. If you want something universally recognized, it quickly becomes a question of commercial licenses, rather than certifications.

[Uricanejack]

Brand recognition RYA. wins hands down. In reality both IYT and RYA are approved by the MCA so theoretically they should be equivalent standard.

The answer really depends where you want to use the certificate.
US will require US certificates. which are also well regarded else where.

When looking for a job.
The certificate has to be valid for the location and flag.
The Candidates experience and where they were trained counts for a lot.
Supply and demand.