Freelance Skipper - What do I need?

[tommytom]

Hi All,
I'm hoping to become a freelance skipper both on RIB's and Sailing Yachts. I am / will be commercially endorsed as Yachtmaster Sail and hopefully Advanced Powerboat. I hope initially to be employed/contracted to helm other peoples boats for things like deliveries, rod fishing trips and research work, but may purchase a small RIB or Cuddy Boat which I will then need to get coded. I believe that I will need liability insurance and to inform HM Revenues and Customs that I am self employed.

Can anybody think of anything else I might need to do to comply with MCA / Tax / Government regulations?

Also what level of payment could I reasonably expect?

Any suggestions or advise would be gratefully received.

Thanks,
Tom

[Jimbo]

Hi Tom,

The list on this page would be a pretty good start - it's fairly comprehensive!

http://www.stormforce.biz/superbaske...rtsboat+Driver

[tommytom]

Thanks Jimbo that certainly covers the qualifications available I wasn't aware of loads of those. Peoples personal experiences of setting out would be really useful to give me an idea of what to expect, I have only ever worked for others so it's a bit of a departure from the norm for me!!