What Does Yacht Rated Mean?

Yacht certification is a program provided by the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) to confirm that a boat model meets the standards of the American Boats Yacht Council (ABYC). The certification ensures that the vessel meets safety, design, and design standards. Yacht Rating Certificates are issued to crew members, not the vessel, and are valid for life. When a crew member moves to a new vessel, they do not need to reapply for a new YRC and can use their existing one.

The classification society RINA examines the definitions, certifications, and rules that apply to large pleasure yachts. Yachts are considered ‘in class’ when the classification society believes its rules and regulations have been complied with, unless it has granted a special dispensation. Top ratings tend to be fairly similar regardless of the society, while various certifications vary widely.

The CE Yacht Compliance Classification System is the European standard for CE Certification, which focuses on safe systems rather than rating recreational boats for various wind and weather conditions. The Offshore Racing Council (ORC) has established SOLAS, which demands certain yachts be designed, constructed, and maintained in compliance with various requirements of a recognized society or equivalent flag state requirements.

Yacht certification shows that a manufacturer is committed to meeting and exceeding higher quality standards. It complies with all safety and performance standards, reducing the risk of accidents or damage. Ratings, a numerical measure of a boat’s speed, are calculated using physical parameters of the boat. Some vessels require crew to have a Yacht Rating Certificate as part of their safe manning requirements, improving the safety of a vessel.