An RYA Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate of Competence is often the ultimate aim of aspiring skippers. It is a well known, highly respected qualification worldwide, proving your experience and competence as a skipper.
Unlike other courses in the cruising program, there is no formal training to complete in order to become a Yachtmaster. Instead, provided that you have sufficient experience and seatime, you can put yourself forward for an exam to test your skills and knowledge.
In Preparation for their exam many Yachtmaster candidates choose to book themselves into an RYA training center for some tailor-made tuition to fully prepare themselves for the exam.
This course follows the structure of the Coastal Skipper preparation and the week will start with an assessment during which your experienced instructor will give you an honest appraisal of your current skill level and will then devote the remainder of the week to address any specific areas that may have been highlighted and include a full review the Yacthmaster curriculum. During the course you will take command of the yacht on short offshore passages by day and night and practice lots of close quarters boat handling techniques under sail and power.
The instructor will tailor the course to your specific needs and will review the key areas of : passage planning, man overboard recovery, close quarters handling under sail and power, skippering techniques, navigation in restricted visibility and at night , pilotage and knowledge of the International Collision Regulations
At the end of the week, you will be given a debrief on your competency and should you feel ready to do so can then take the exam.
Exam Preparation is delivered by RYA Yachtmaster Instructors, who are all extremely experienced in delivering this level of training.
Learn more about our Crew briefing– joining your boat, living on board and what to bring.
Duration
5 Days preparation, followed by a 2 day exam
Previous Experience
50 days, 2500 miles including at least 5 passages over 60 miles, acting as skipper for at least two of these passages and including two which have involved overnight passages.
5 days experience as skipper. At least half this mileage and passages must be in tidal waters. All qualifying seatime must be within 10 years prior to the exam
VHF/SRC Radio Certificate and First Aid Certificate.
Course Content
The week will start with an assessment day, whereby the instructor will gauge your strengths and weaknesses. The rest of the week will be spent improving your weak areas, refreshing and testing knowledge of the theory, and undertaking safety exercises to ensure competence. During this time each candidate will take command of the yacht on short day and night passages.
At the end of the week, you will be given a debrief on your competency and you can progress to take the exam if you feel ready to do so.
An independent examiner from the RYA will then conduct the exam.( for which there is a separate fee payable to RYA). Each student will be examined on how they skipper the yacht on short passages, and complete various other tasks.
Course Dates and Locations
Please see course calender for where and when we are running this course, view availability and secure your place through our booking system. Alternatively, you can call us on 1300 944 974 and make your booking by phone. If your chosen course is not running at the base or at the time you want, or for group bookings, please email us.
