An RYA Yachtmaster certificate of competence is often the ultimate aim of aspiring skippers and is a well known, highly respected qualification worldwide, proving your experience and competence as a skipper.
The definition is: ’a yachtsman or woman competent to skipper a cruising yacht on any passage that can be completed without the use of astro navigation.’
In practice, this means coastal and offshore passages. As any skipper will tell you, those passages close to land or across shipping lanes are the most difficult, particularly if the weather is rough or the visibility poor. A Yachtmaster® needs a wealth of knowledge, not only to cope with plain sailing or motor cruising but also to be able to cope in demanding situations.
Unlike other courses in the cruising programme, there is no formal training to complete in order to become a Yachtmaster. Instead, provided that you have sufficient experience and sea time, you can put yourself forward for an exam to test your skills and knowledge.
Yachtmaster Examiners are independent assessors and cannot be involved in the training of candidates. They are therefore able to be objective when assessing ability.
Preparing for the exam
If your ambition is to become a RYA Yachtmaster but you need to gain more experience and knowledge before taking the exam, remember that there are courses to help you. Jersey Sailing will be running several five day Yachtmaster Preparation courses during 2008. Please contact us to discuss by clicking here >>>
Yachtmaster® Offshore practical examinations an be taken under sail or power. The candidate or a training centre provides the boat and the RYA provides an examiner. The Yachtmaster Offshore is competent to skipper a cruising yacht on any passage during which the yacht is no more than 150 miles from harbour.
Duration of exam
The Yachtmaster Offshore test lasts 8-12 hours for one candidate and 10-18 hours for two. No more than two candidates can be examined in 24 hours and no more than four candidates can be examined in one 2 day session. The exam can be taken in a power or sailing vessel.
Prerequisite qualifications and experience
Candidates must be aged 18 or over.
Radio Operator’s Qualification. A restricted (VHF only) Radio Operator’s Certificate or a GMDSS Short Range Certificate or higher grade of marine radio certificate.
First Aid. A valid first aid certificate. First aid qualifications held by Police, Fire and Armed Services are also acceptable.
Sea time
50 days, 2,500 miles including at least 5 passages over 60 miles measured along the rhumb line from the port of departure to the destination, 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.
Interested? Click here to check course dates and availability>>>
We will also be able arrange examinations according to demand. Please contact us to discuss by clicking here >>>