An award presented at Southampton
The Royal Yachting Association presented its Yachtmaster of the Year 2025 award to Tom Stierle at Southampton International Boat Show on 18 September 2026. Mike Golding OBE made the presentation, recognising a candidate nominated through the association's worldwide examiner network.
The year in the award's title refers to the qualification period, while the public presentation occurred in September 2026. Stierle is a 56-year-old surgeon living near Basel in Switzerland and has developed his sailing experience in both inland and offshore waters.
From the Rhine to tidal passages
Stierle began sailing on the Rhine and Swiss lakes before skippering with friends and family in the Mediterranean and Baltic. His training later included courses in Scotland, Wales and the Solent, showing the range of environments involved in a Yachtmaster qualification.
His examination required an overnight passage around the Isle of Wight and planning around tidal gates, including the Needles at sunrise. These are the kinds of practical judgement exercises that extend beyond the familiar controls of a privately owned cruising yacht.
A qualification journey alongside another career
The RYA describes a three-month sabbatical during which Stierle prepared intensively for his examination while also working as a humanitarian surgeon aboard a hospital ship. He subsequently completed an Ocean qualifying passage from Madeira to Gibraltar and passed the associated oral assessment.
This is a personal seamanship story rather than a new rule about licensing or a change in qualification requirements. Owners considering larger sailing yachts should check which certificates and experience their operating area, insurance and vessel arrangements actually require.
Why the recognition matters to owners
The Yachtmaster award is selected from examiner nominations, and the RYA uses it to highlight performance under examination conditions. It offers an example of the continuing skill development possible for experienced amateurs as well as career mariners.
For the 12–23.99-metre sailing market, a skipper's passage planning and judgement can have as much influence on a safe cruising experience as the specification of the vessel. The RYA announcement provides the candidate's documented route and award context.
