RYA Yachtmaster Offshore - Preparation  & Exam

Be prepared for making the step to being a yachting professional 

 

Course details

This is it. The big one. The highest award in the RYA Cruising Scheme. The exam preparation weeks are conducted by our most experienced skippers. During these 5 day courses your instructor covers the Coastal Skipper or Yachtmaster syllabus and will assess your ability and coach you in all the disciplines required to 'walk on water' and pass your RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Offshore Exam.

Duration

5 days (Sunday to Friday) preparation and 2 days (Fri to Sun) exam with a maximum of 4 exam candidates.

 

Previous experience required

• 50 days aboard, 5 days as skipper, 2500 miles logged, 5 passages of over 60 miles including 2 overnight and 2 as skipper
• VHF Short Range Certificate and a valid First Aid Certificate

Before joining the course, students should have the prerequisite experience outlined above, navigation theory to coastal skipper shorebased level and a thorough knowledge of the collision regulations particularly lights, shapes and sounds.

Course content

Exam preparations are conducted by our most experienced skippers ­ all fully qualified Yachtmaster Offshore Instructors.

• Boat handling, navigation, pilotage, man overboard recovery and overall yacht management skills
• Take command of the yacht on passages by day and night, and practice boat handling techniques under sail and power
• Passage planning, weather, tidal knowledge, preparation and safety at sea, maintenance, navigation, pilotage and knowledge of the International collision regulations
• Advanced skippering techniques in preparation for RYA/MCA exam

Your instructor will assess your ability and coach you in all the disciplines required to pass, from mooring under sail, to navigating in reduced visibility. 

The instructor will give you an honest appraisal of your chances of success early in the week and will then address any weaknesses that may have been highlighted. 

Examiners expect a high standard of man overboard recovery so those drills are practised intensively throughout the course.

At the end of the week your instructor will give you a debrief and leave you feeling confident in your ability.  Normally you will have been sailing with fellow candidates for 5 days and you will have a solid understanding of your yacht and crew before the arrival of the examiner on Friday evening.

 

About the exam

To attain the RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Offshore candidates must pass a practical examination of their skippering ability. Certificates are granted by the Royal Yachting Association in conjunction with the Department of transport and are amongst the world's most respected yachting qualifications.

Each student is examined as they skipper the yacht on short passages and complete various demonstrations of skippering techniques. All our instructors have been through these exams themselves and will therefore do their utmost to prepare you for your exam so that you are relaxed and confident on the day.

Good luck!

Exam preparation weeks are conducted by our most experienced skippers. During these 5 day courses your instructor covers the Coastal Skipper or Yachtmaster syllabus and will assess your ability and coach you in all the disciplines required to pass your RYA/MCA qualification.

Included

• Instruction
• Accommodation on yacht
• All snacks & meals except one evening meal taken ashore
• Mooring fees
• Gas & fuel
• Use of lifejackets
• Free car parking

Not Included

• One evening meal (eaten ashore)
• Loan of Waterproofs
• Exam Fees

Successful course outcome

Upon passing the exam you will be given a pass certificate to send off to the RYA. This will enable you to get your Yachtmaster Offshore certificate of competence which you send off to be commercially endorsed and work in the yacht industry. 

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Please contact us to discuss the availability of this course