The RYA Powerboat Level 2 is the most practical certificate a deckhand can add after STCW. It qualifies you to operate tender vessels — the rigid inflatable boats (RIBs) and tenders that run guests ashore, transfer provisions, and carry out water sports on charter yachts. In the Mediterranean, driving a tender without this certificate is illegal. Captains and Chief Officers know this, and they hire accordingly.
What Is the RYA Powerboat Level 2?
The RYA Powerboat Level 2 is an entry-level powerboat qualification issued by the Royal Yachting Association. It covers the fundamental skills needed to safely operate a powerboat — from launching and berthing to man overboard recovery and collision regulations. It is the basis for the International Certificate of Competence (ICC), which is legally required to helm a vessel up to 10m in many countries, including most Mediterranean nations. The course is a two-day practical programme run at RYA-affiliated training centres in the UK and across Europe. It combines on-the-water sessions with theory covering boat handling, safety procedures, and navigation rules. Once certified, the qualification is recognised across the Med, making it the standard for tender operations on superyachts.
Do You Need RYA Powerboat Level 2 to Get a Deckhand Job?
If you are applying for your very first deckhand position, you do not always need this certificate before you start. On most yachts, the junior deckhand will not be operating tenders from day one — more senior crew like the Bosun or Lead Deckhand handle that. However, the Bosun, Lead Deckhand, and Senior Deckhands on any professional superyacht will hold the RYA Powerboat Level 2 without exception. The moment you are trusted with a tender, you need this qualification behind you.
The practical approach most experienced crew take: start your first contract without the certificate, complete your first month, then invest your salary into getting the RYA PB2. At that point, you become a far more useful crew member — capable of running tenders solo, managing guest transfers, and taking on water sports duties. It also makes you significantly more competitive when applying for your second and third contracts. If you want to understand the full picture of what deckhands need to get hired, read our complete deckhand job guide.
Minimum Certificates Recommended for a Junior Deckhand
- STCW Basic Safety Training
- ENG1 Medical Certificate
- STCW Personal Designated Security Duties (PDSD)
- Valid passport
- Seaman’s Discharge Book
- Professional Deckhand CV
The RYA Powerboat Level 2 sits just above this minimum list — it is the first upgrade you should make once you are on board and earning.
What Is Covered in the RYA Powerboat Level 2 Course?
The course is two full days of practical training on the water, with some theory delivered by your instructor. The focus is on close-quarters boat handling and giving you the confidence to operate a powerboat safely in real conditions. It is deliberately hands-on — you spend the majority of the course at the helm, not in a classroom. The certificate is valid for both inland and coastal waters, with the endorsement noted on your card to reflect where you completed the course.
During RYA Powerboat Level 2 training you will cover:
- Launching and Recovery — getting the tender on and off a trailer or davit safely
- Boat Handling — low-speed manoeuvring and close-quarters control
- Securing to a Buoy — picking up and letting go at a mooring
- Anchoring — technique and situational awareness
- Berthing and Unberthing — approaching and leaving pontoons and swim platforms
- Man Overboard Recovery — the priority skill on any vessel
- Collision Regulations — understanding right of way and navigation rules
- Introduction to Planing Speed — handling the boat at higher speeds
On completion, you can apply for the RYA International Certificate of Competence (ICC), which serves as the recognised permit to helm a vessel legally in Mediterranean waters and across most of Europe. For superyacht deckhands, this is the practical value of the qualification — the ICC is what marinas and port authorities are looking for when tenders are on the water.
How Long Does It Take and What Does It Cost?
The RYA Powerboat Level 2 course runs over two days. Pricing varies depending on provider and location, but you should expect to pay between £250 and £400 in the UK. Providers in Palma, Antibes, and Split may price slightly differently, but costs are broadly comparable. Some centres run the course back-to-back over a weekend, making it easy to complete without taking time off a contract. When you factor in the ICC application after the course, add approximately £35–£50 for the paperwork. The total investment is modest compared to the earning potential and the doors it opens on deck.
Where Is the Best Place to Do RYA Powerboat Level 2?
You can complete the course at any RYA-recognised training centre. There are dozens of options across the UK — Portsmouth, Southampton, Plymouth, and Cowes are all popular. For crew already in the Med or planning to work there, the following European locations run the full RYA Powerboat Level 2:
- Palma, Mallorca — the most convenient for crew based in the Balearics
- Antibes, France — ideal if you are dockwalking the Côte d’Azur
- Split, Croatia — Yachtiecareers’ base for STCW, also offers RYA PB2
- Gibraltar — useful for crew transiting between the Atlantic and Med
If you are completing your STCW Basic Safety Training in Split with us, you can schedule the RYA Powerboat Level 2 in the same trip. This is the most efficient way to arrive in the Med with everything you need. See the best time to find a yacht job in the Med if you are planning your arrival around the season.
Can You Get RYA Powerboat Level 2 with Yachtiecareers?
Yes. We include the option to add RYA Powerboat Level 2 to your deckhand training package. Our Deckhand Premium STCW Training is designed for crew who want to arrive fully certified and job-ready — it includes your STCW Basic Safety, PDSD, Powerboat Level 2, and a professionally written deckhand CV. The Deckhand Full STCW package covers the complete qualification stack. If you are not sure which package is right for your situation, book a free call with our team — we can map out exactly what you need based on where you are starting from.
Our instructors train 20+ deckhand students every month. We work with you from training through to job placement, with 24/7 support throughout. Read what our students say on our reviews page.
Does a Stewardess Need the RYA Powerboat Level 2?
In most cases, no. The RYA Powerboat Level 2 is a deck crew qualification. Stewardesses, chefs, and engineers are not expected to operate tenders as part of their job. The certificate is specifically for the crew members who will be at the helm — junior deckhands through to the Bosun. That said, if you are a stewardess looking to transition to a dual-role position or move into deck work, adding the RYA PB2 to your CV will set you apart. Some smaller yachts under 24m run with mixed roles, and having the qualification gives you more flexibility. If you are looking to break into yachting as a stewardess, start with our stewardess training overview first.
Should You Include RYA Powerboat Level 2 on Your Deckhand CV?
Yes, always. Any Captain or Chief Officer reviewing a deckhand application is scanning the CV for this certificate. It tells them you can handle tenders from day one, reducing the workload on more senior crew. It signals that you are serious about deck work and not just carrying minimum credentials. When you book the Deckhand Premium STCW Training with us, we write your CV as part of the package — formatted specifically for superyacht applications with the right certifications in the right place.
A Deckhand Story — Fredrik Fiskerstrand, Yachtiecareers Student
Fredrik Fiskerstrand wanted to get into yachting from Norway. He booked Yachtiecareers training and completed his STCW Basic Safety, Personal Designated Security Duties, YCA Deckhand Training, and had his CV professionally written. He secured his first contract on a 90m motor yacht — MY Ectasea — without the RYA Powerboat Level 2. This is exactly how it works in practice: you do not always need it to land your first job. Once Fredrik completed his first month on board, he used his salary to add the RYA Powerboat Level 2, making him a fully capable deck crew member and opening the door to senior deckhand roles in future contracts.
Start Your Deckhand Training
If you are ready to get certified and start applying for deckhand positions, the Yachtiecareers deckhand training gives you everything you need — STCW, PDSD, RYA Powerboat Level 2, CV writing, and job search support. We run training in Split, Croatia and across Europe with dates throughout the season. Book a free call with our team to get started.
