YDSA

What YDSA does

YDSA (Yacht Designers and Surveyors Association) is a UK-based private limited professional association founded in 1912 and headquartered in Petersfield, Hampshire. It operates as the UK's principal professional body for marine surveyors and yacht designers, with a worldwide network of independent vetted specialists. Since 1993, its Certifying Authority division has held delegated authority from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) to perform coding certification and tonnage measurements for small commercial vessels under 24m load line length, and it additionally serves as an approved Certifying Authority for seven overseas ship registries within the Red Ensign Group (Cayman Islands, Gibraltar, Guernsey, Isle of Man, Jersey, Marshall Islands, and British Virgin Islands).

The organisation generates revenue from four streams: (1) recurring membership subscriptions across Affiliate, Accredited, and Full grades; (2) coding certification fees (£90–£450 application, £115–£220 annual renewal) administered through a network of Nominated Coding Surveyors; (3) tonnage measurement fees (£140–£205) delivered via an international network of approved measurers; and (4) training and events revenue from the YDSA Academy, webinars, the annual conference (£135–£200 per ticket), and Northern Forums. Distribution is channelled through searchable online directories (Find a Surveyor, Coding Surveyor, Designer, Measurer, Partner) that connect vessel owners and commercial operators with member professionals. The underlying technology is non-proprietary, consisting of a website, member portal, and surveyor portal.

YDSA operates specialist subgroups for Large Yachts (over 24m) and Inland Waterways, and maintains a sister-association arrangement with ABYA (Association of Brokers and Yacht Agents) under a shared umbrella (YBDSA) with joint AGMs. The association has 1,500+ actively coded vessels under management and 6 internal employees, with Karen Wilson serving as CEO and Tim Barker as Chairman. Revenue is not publicly disclosed, and the organisation has not raised external funding.

Name

YDSA

Legal name

Yacht Designers and Surveyors Association Ltd.

Website

https://ydsa.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1912

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

YDSA is a UK professional association founded in 1912 that certifies, trains, and represents marine surveyors and yacht designers, operating as an MCA-authorised Certifying Authority for coding and tonnage measurement of small commercial vessels under 24m across the UK and seven overseas registries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Marine Surveying and Vessel Certification

NAICS

Professional Organizations (81392)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYTLAHANAE

Vessel Vetting & Due Diligence Services (SIRE/CDI, Terminal Vetting)

Transportation & Logistics/Ports, Terminals & Maritime Services/Maritime Security, Safety & Compliance Services (ISPS, Inspections, Vetting)

SECONDARYTLAHANAF

Maritime Safety Management Systems & Training (ISM/ISO 45001, Drills, Competency)

Transportation & Logistics/Ports, Terminals & Maritime Services/Maritime Security, Safety & Compliance Services (ISPS, Inspections, Vetting)

Keywords

• Marine surveying services
• Yacht design
• Vessel certification
• Professional membership
• Tonnage measurement

Headquarters

HQ city

Petersfield

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Membership Subscriptions: Annual membership fees for surveyors and designers at various grades (Affiliate, Accredited, Full Membership) providing access to certification, directories, training, and networking benefits.
2. Coding Certification Services: Compliance examination and certification fees for small commercial vessels under 24m operating under MCA Codes of Practice. Includes application fees, annual renewals, and mid-term inspections.
3. Tonnage Measurement Services: Certificate of Survey for Tonnage and Measurement for vessel registration with UK Ship Register and overseas registries including Cayman Islands, Gibraltar, Guernsey, Isle of Man, Jersey, Marshall Islands, and Virgin Islands.
4. Training and Events: Revenue from training courses, webinars, conferences, and professional development sessions. Includes CA training days, Northern Forums, and certification exam fees.

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

YDSA is a UK professional membership association that operates as an MCA-authorized Certifying Authority, providing coding certification for small commercial vessels under 24m, tonnage measurement surveys for vessel registration with UK and overseas registries, and professional membership services for yacht designers and surveyors. The association runs online directories connecting customers with vetted member professionals, and delivers training through YDSA Academy including webinars and in-person courses counting towards CPD.

Product overview

YDSA (Yacht Designers and Surveyors Association) is the UK's professional association for marine surveyors and designers, operating as an MCA-authorised Certifying Authority since 1993. Its core offering consists of a portfolio of certification, survey, and directory services: (1) Coding — vessel compliance certification for small commercial vessels under 24m through MCA-authorised Coding Surveyors, covering the full 5-year certification cycle; (2) Registration — tonnage measurement and Certificate of Survey for UK Part 1 Ship Register and seven overseas registries; (3) a suite of online searchable directories (Find a Surveyor, Coding Surveyor, Designer, Measurer for Registration, and Partner) connecting clients with vetted marine professionals; and (4) YDSA Academy and Webinar training programmes. Specialist subgroups cover Large Yachts (over 24m) and Inland Waterways craft. Services are delivered through independently vetted member surveyors and designers rather than a unified software platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• YDSA Academy: Training pathway launched in 2019 for member professional development and certification.
• Certifying Authority

Products and services

• Coding (MCA Compliance Certification) Vessel coding and certification for small commercial vessels under 24m load line length, conducted by YDSA Certifying Authority surveyors appointed under the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA). Covers initial compliance examinations, 5-year certification cycles with annual renewals, and mid-term inspections for sport or pleasure, workboat, and legacy codes.
• Registration (Tonnage Measurement & Certificate of Survey) Surveys for tonnage and measurement conducted by YDSA-approved measurers, producing a Certificate of Survey for Tonnage and Measurement for UK Part 1 Ship Register and multiple overseas registries including Cayman Islands, Gibraltar, Guernsey, Isle of Man, Ports of Jersey, Marshall Islands, and Virgin Islands.
• YDSA Academy Training Programme A training pathway launched in 2019 offering online modules, practical events, interactive online events, and professional certification for members, with courses covering MCA Codes of Practice, ISO standards, electrical systems, and business skills. Counts towards members' Continuous Professional Development (CPD) points.
• Types of Survey Services Professional surveying services offered by YDSA members including pre-purchase/condition surveys, limited scope surveys, valuations, damage and insurance assessments, supervision of construction or repairs, Recreational Craft Directive consultancy, and expert witness or legal representation.
• Designer Services Professional naval architecture and engineering services offered by YDSA member designers including new vessel design, modification design, contract and specification documents, construction drawings, stage payment authorisation, sea trials, stability analyses, structural analysis, and regulatory compliance advice covering Classification Society rules, MCA Codes, and ISO standards.
• Large Yacht Group A specialist subgroup dedicated to vessels over 24m, providing surveyor and designer members with assessed expertise in large yacht systems, with access to ABYA's Large Yacht Group network for international brokerage and sale-and-purchase services.
• Inland Waterways Group A specialist subgroup providing surveys and technical expertise for inland waterway vessels, with YDSA members also acting as Boat Safety Scheme (BSS) inspectors and providing CRT Fitness for Purpose scheme surveys.
• YDSA Webinars Short online training sessions covering topics including Load Line Length, Workboat Code 3, Declarations of Conformity, ISO standards, Single Handed Operations, Handrails, and water-freeing calculations, available for purchase and counting towards CPD points.
• YDSA Annual Conference Annual in-person conference with industry speakers, knowledge tables, and networking opportunities. Members rate £135.00 inc VAT; Non-Members rate £200.00 inc VAT.

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered minor, core and major.

• International Paint LtdminorOthers · 17 October 2024YDSA surveyors visited International Paint Ltd in Southampton for Introduction to Yacht Coatings training course.
• Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerYDSA is authorised by the MCA as a Certifying Authority to conduct coding certification and tonnage measurements for small commercial vessels under 24m. YDSA has delegated authority from MCA to act on their behalf.
• UK Ship RegistercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerYDSA approved measurers produce Certificates of Survey for Tonnage and Measurement required for Part 1 UK Ship Register registration.
• Cayman Islands Shipping RegistrymajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorApproved Certifying Authority providing Certificate of Survey for Tonnage and Measurement for vessels registering under Cayman Islands flag.
• Gibraltar Yacht RegistrymajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorApproved Certifying Authority providing Certificate of Survey for Tonnage and Measurement for Gibraltar flag registration.
• Guernsey Ship RegistrymajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorApproved Certifying Authority providing Certificate of Survey for Tonnage and Measurement for Guernsey ship registration.
• Isle of Man RegistrymajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorApproved Certifying Authority providing Certificate of Survey for Tonnage and Measurement for Isle of Man vessel registration.
• Ports of JerseymajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorApproved Certifying Authority providing Certificate of Survey for Tonnage and Measurement for Jersey vessel registration.
• The Marshall Islands RegistrymajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorApproved Certifying Authority providing Certificate of Survey for Tonnage and Measurement for Marshall Islands vessel registration.
• Virgin Islands Shipping RegistrymajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorApproved Certifying Authority providing Certificate of Survey for Tonnage and Measurement for British Virgin Islands flag registration.
• Association of Brokers and Yacht Agents (ABYA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSister association under the same umbrella (YBDSA). Joint AGMs, shared resources, and cross-referral between YDSA surveyors and ABYA brokers.
• Canal and River TrustminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerYDSA surveyors provide surveys for the CRT Fitness for Purpose scheme. Some YDSA surveyors are BSS inspectors for inland waterways.
• Boat Safety Scheme (BSS)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBSS established jointly by Environment Agency and Canal and River Trust. YDSA Inland Waterways Group liaises with BSS and some members are approved BSS inspectors.
• ePropulsionminorOthersElectric propulsion manufacturer whose representative Simon Boyde spoke at YDSA Annual Conference 2025 on electric propulsion and lithium batteries.
• Wessex ResinsminorOthersEpoxy resin manufacturer whose representative David Johnson spoke at YDSA Annual Conference 2025 on boat restoration and repair products.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves8 records

Broad incumbents

• Lloyd's Register: Global classification society and certification body for marine vessels. Comparable to YDSA in providing vessel certification and survey services but operates at much larger scale across commercial shipping rather than the sub-24m niche.
• Royal Institution of Naval Architects (RINA): Long-established UK-based professional body for naval architects and marine engineers with international membership. Comparable to YDSA in serving marine design professionals, but broader in scope across commercial shipping, offshore, and naval defence.
• British Marine: UK marine trade association representing leisure marine businesses including boatbuilders, brokers, and service providers. Adjacent to YDSA in serving the UK marine industry but broader in membership scope and lobbying focus.

Direct peers

• Yacht Brokers, Designers and Surveyors Association (YBDSA): The parent umbrella organisation under which YDSA operates alongside ABYA. Direct peer governing the shared structure of the two constituent associations.
• International Institute of Marine Surveying (IIMS): UK-headquartered professional body for marine surveyors offering membership grades, training, and CPD. Directly comparable to YDSA in serving the marine surveying profession with overlapping surveyor membership populations.
• Association of Brokers and Yacht Agents (ABYA): YDSA's sister association under the YBDSA umbrella, providing professional standards for yacht brokers and agents in the UK. Operates under shared organisational infrastructure with YDSA, including joint AGMs and cross-referral arrangements.
• Society of Consulting Marine Engineers and Ship Surveyors (SCMS): UK-based professional society for consulting marine engineers and ship surveyors. Comparable to YDSA in providing professional certification and representation for marine surveying and engineering practitioners.

Regional players

• International Yacht Brokers Association (IYBA): US-based professional association for yacht brokers comparable to ABYA's role alongside YDSA. Relevant peer given YDSA's international scope and cross-border yacht transaction activity.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/officialydsa
• Facebookfacebook.com/YDSAUK
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ydsa
• Instagraminstagram.com/officialydsa

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about YDSA