YDSA offers three professional membership grades: Affiliate, Accredited, and Full Membership. Each grade reflects a member’s level of experience, professional expertise, and commitment to maintaining the highest standards within the yacht design and surveying industry.

Which Membership Grade Is Right for You?

Affiliate Membership (AYDSA)

Affiliate Membership is designed for individuals actively involved in yacht design or surveying who are developing their skills and working towards Accredited Membership.

Affiliate Membership is available for a maximum period of three years.

Entry requirements:

• Complete the YDSA Affiliate online entry examination
• Achieve a minimum 70% pass mark

Once the exam is successfully completed, membership will be awarded.

Important: Members must complete the Report Writing Course within six months of joining. Failure to do so will result in membership being downgraded to Provisional Membership.

Accredited Membership (MYDSA)

Accredited Membership recognises professionals who have demonstrated a strong level of technical competence and industry knowledge.

Eligibility requirements:

• Successful completion of the YDSA assessment examination
• Submission of:
• 2 sample designs reflecting the scope of your work (Designer Application), or
• 2 Full Condition Survey reports (Surveyor Application)
• Interview with the YDSA Committee
• Successful completion of the YDSA in-house examination

Members who achieve Accredited status or above may also apply to become Coding Surveyors.

Full Membership (FYDSA)

Full Membership represents the highest standard of professional recognition within YDSA and demonstrates extensive experience and proven competence.

Eligibility requirements:

• Minimum of 3 continuous years as an Accredited Member, or 10 years as a principal surveyor
• Successful assessment by the YDSA Committee
• Submission of:
• 2 sample designs demonstrating the breadth of your work (Designer Application), or
• 2 Full Condition Survey reports representing your professional experience (Surveyor Application)
• Successful completion of the YDSA in-house examination

Full Members are recognised for their advanced expertise and professional standing within the industry.

YDSA – CA Nominated Coding Surveyor

The YDSA CA Nominated Coding Surveyor grade is available to experienced professionals actively involved in surveying who wish to undertake Certification Authority (CA) activities and responsibilities.

This designation recognises surveyors who have demonstrated the necessary skills, training, and competence to carry out CA-related work in accordance with YDSA standards and procedures.

Eligibility requirements:

• Be actively involved in professional surveying activities
• Hold YDSA Accredited Membership (MYDSA) or above, or hold an equivalent membership level with another recognised certifying authority
• Submit a completed Nominated Surveyor Application
• Successfully complete the relevant CA training requirements
• Pass the CA assessment examination
• Complete a CA competency matrix
• Demonstrate to the CA Committee the required competency to undertake CA activities within the declared CA matrix and in accordance with the procedures outlined in the CA Procedures Manual

Applicants must demonstrate the appropriate knowledge, technical ability, and professional standards expected to perform Certification Authority responsibilities on behalf of YDSA.

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NB: For the protection of their clients and themselves, it is mandatory for all YDSA Members to hold:

• Professional Indemnity Insurance and,
• Public Liability insurance.

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Other Membership and Recognition

Other Membership Categories & Recognition

Provisional Membership

Provisional Membership supports individuals at the beginning of their professional journey who are working towards Affiliate status.

This may apply to those who:

• Have completed a recognised course
• Are in the early stages of becoming a surveyor
• Have not yet met Affiliate Membership requirements following committee assessment

Eligibility is limited to a maximum of two years before progression to Affiliate Membership is required.

Benefits include:

• Discounted member rates for YDSA events
• Support and guidance from YDSA members
• Opportunities for professional development

Please note that Provisional Membership is not a formal membership grade. Provisional members are not permitted to use the YDSA logo or membership designations in advertising.

Student Membership

Student Membership is available to individuals undertaking a recognised marine-related course of study.

Examples include:

• Boatbuilding
• Naval Architecture
• Marine Engineering
• Marine Electrical studies
• Yacht Surveying

Student Membership benefits include:

• Access to the YDSA online forum
• Inclusion on the YDSA mailing list
• Guidance and support from YDSA members
• Access to events at member rates

Please note:

• Student Members are not recognised voting members
• Student Members may not attend or vote at General Meetings
• Use of the YDSA logo is not permitted
• Members must progress to another membership category upon completion of their studies

Fellow

Fellowship is awarded to members who have made exceptional contributions to YDSA, the wider industry, or demonstrated outstanding professional ability. It represents one of the highest levels of recognition within the Association.

Fellows must be active, or previously active, designers or surveyors and are appointed annually at the AGM.

Honorary Membership

Honorary Membership recognises individuals who have provided exceptional service to the Association or supported YDSA in a significant way.

This honour is typically awarded to those who have retired from practice and is conferred annually at the AGM.

Partner Membership

Partner Members are professional organisations or individuals who offer services which are complementary to the YBDSA Membership, such as marine insurance, law, finance or in technical areas. Partners are listed on our website and are welcome at Association events at the discounted Member rate.

Why Partner with YDSA & YBDSA?

Partner Membership is a cost-effective way to raise your profile, strengthen industry connections, and showcase your expertise to a highly engaged audience.

Whether you're looking to attract new clients, build valuable relationships, or establish your business as a trusted name in the marine industry, our Partner Membership provides the platform to help you achieve your goals.

Join a network that's committed to supporting professionalism, excellence, and growth across the UK marine industry.

If you wish to become a Partner Member, please contact us by email membership@ybdsa.co.uk

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The full membership  matrix for all levels. - Click Here 

Upgrading

When Members believe they are ready to upgrade their Membership to the next level grade, they must first sit the YDSA upgrade examination. Following a successful pass mark, Members will then be required to submit a further 2 Pre-Purchase Surveys (Designer Application) or 2 Full Condition Survey reports (Surveyor Application) for assessment, together with an upgrade application form and the applicable fee.