This certificate will allow you to work as:
- Master on sailing vessels up to 24 metres long, with propulsion power up to 100 kW, in inshore waters.
- Chief mate or deck watchkeeper on vessels up to 45 metres long in inshore waters
- Operate a tender for the vessel under the command of the master, with propulsion power up to 100 kW
- Undertake the duties and perform the functions of a General Purpose Hand NC.
Eligibility
To be eligible for a Sail Master Coastal NC certificate you must:
- Be at least 16 years old on the certificate issue date
- Be able to speak and understand English, including written documents
- Be medically fit for the duties, including eyesight
- Gain any needed sea service
- Complete training.
For more information, select what you need to apply for below.
Important disclaimer
These instructions are summary information only. We make decisions about seafarer certificates under Marine Order 505 (Certificates of competency — national law) 2022. This document has full details of the eligibility and other requirements for certificate applications.
What do you need to apply for?
New certificate
What do I need to do?
To obtain this certificate you will need to:
- Meet medical and eyesight requirements
Download the:
1. Certificate of medical fitness for a near coastal certificate
The Certificate of medical fitness for domestic seafarers form 1850 lets us know that you are medically fit for working at sea.
If you are colour blind, you will be restricted to working in daylight hours only.
2. Standards for the medical assessment of domestic seafarers
Provide a medical practitioner with the Standards for the medical assessment of domestic seafarers and have them fill out the Certificate of medical fitness for domestic seafarers form 1850.
If you have a current AMSA medical (Certificate of medical fitness form 303) you can use this instead.
You must submit your completed form with your Certificate of competency application form 426.
- Meet additional requirements
You must also hold a:
- Commercially endorsed RYA Yachtmaster Coastal certificate
- Valid HLTAID011 Provide first aid certificate, or equivalent
- Short-range operator certificate of proficiency issued by ACMA, or equivalent.
- Any one of the following:
a) Coxswain Grade 1 NC certificate of competency
b) Marine Engine Driver Grade 3 certificate of competency
c) MAR Maritime Training Package MAR037 Operate inboard and outboard motors
d) Both:
- RYA Diesel Engine course and
- Australian Sailing Powerboat Handling course
e) Both:
- RYA Diesel Engine course and
- RYA Level 2 Powerboat course.
If you do not hold these certificates contact a registered training organisation or the Royal Yachting Association.
- Complete and submit a certificate of competency application
To apply, complete and submit the Certificate of competency application form 426.
Read more about completing and submitting your application for a domestic certificate.
Renewal of Certificate
A Sailing Master Coastal NC certificate of competency is generally valid for five years. To keep working using your certificate you need to renew it every five years.
What do I need to do?
To renew your certificate you will need to:
- Meet medical and eyesight requirements
You must complete a declaration of medical fitness on the Certificate of competency application form 426. This lets us know that you are still medically fit, and that your eyesight meets the necessary standard, to work at sea.
If your existing Sailing master coastal certificate has a daylight hours restriction, this restriction will also be on your renewed certificate.
- Provide existing certificates
You must submit a copy of your:
- Existing Sailing master coastal (front and back)
- valid HLTAID011 Provide first aid certificate, or equivalent
- Complete and submit a certificate of competency application
To apply, complete and submit the Certificate of competency application form 426.
Read more about completing and submitting your application for a domestic certificate.
Endorsements and restrictions
Remove a daylight hours restriction on your certificate
If you have this restriction on your certificate you may apply to have the restriction removed.
What do I need to do?
To remove this restriction, you will need to:
- Meet medical and eyesight requirements
Download the:
1. Certificate of medical fitness for a near coastal certificate
The Certificate of medical fitness for domestic seafarers form 1850 lets us know that you are medically fit for working at sea and includes the eyesight requirements to let us know you are not colour blind.
If you are colour blind, we will not be able to remove your daylight hours restriction.
2. Standards for the medical assessment of domestic seafarers
Provide a medical practitioner with the Standards for the medical assessment of domestic seafarers have them complete the Certificate of medical fitness for domestic seafarers form 1850.
Get a qualified medical practitioner to complete the Certificate of medical fitness for a near coastal certificate form 559.
If you do not meet the colour vision requirements of the eyesight test you must also get the practitioner to provide a certificate or statement stating that you do not suffer any greater abnormality in colour vision than could be tested by the Ishihara Test.
If you have a current AMSA medical (Certificate of medical fitness form 303) you can use this instead
Submit your completed forms with your Certificate of competency application form 426.
- Provide existing certificates
You must submit a copy of your:
- Existing Sailing master coastal (front and back)
- valid HLTAID011 Provide first aid certificate, or equivalent
- Complete and submit a certificate of competency application
To apply, complete and submit the Certificate of competency application form 426.
Read more about completing and submitting your application for a domestic certificate.