RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Coastal and Offshore

Preparation & Exam

5 days preparation, 2 days exam (exam time will vary according to the number of students.)
These qualifications are internationally recognised and respected throughout the yachting world. They remain an excellent test of our ability to skipper a vessel in a safe, knowledgeable and efficient manner.
From a commercial viewpoint these exams are mandatory for anyone wishing to take a vessel and be responsible for others at sea. From a personal view they offer a serious challenge, along with the assurance and acceptance that your level of competence is considered to be of a high standard.

Minimum sea time required within 10 years of exam, 50% of which must be in tidal water:

Yachtmaster Coastal* exam candidates must have 30 days living on board, 2 days as skipper, 800nM, and 12 night hours.
*Yachtmaster Coastal has replaced the RYA/MCA Coastal Skipper qualification
Yachtmaster offshore exam candidates must have 50 days living on board, 2,500nM including at least 5 passages of over 60nM, acting as skipper for at least 2 and 2 which have involved night passages.

Preparation

The 5 days shall be spent aboard one of our training yachts. The emphasis shall be on polishing up on close quarter sailing, boat handling skills and chartwork. We will not be cruising around the beautiful Pembrokeshire coast, but will be concentrating on efficient sailing, skippering ability and a thorough airing of all exam requirements; you will not have too much time to admire the scenery.
Candidates should arrive with their personal logbooks showing details of their experience (the minimum requirements are a guideline, but the key is a varied experience of boats, cruising grounds and weather with plenty of skippering). Coastal candidates require VHF; Offshore candidates require VHF & First Aid certificates
We must emphasis that we do not expect to be teaching new skills, but simply knocking the corners off and consolidating your knowledge - e.g. please do not arrive without having brushed up on your collision regs.

Examinations

Each candidate shall be prepared to demonstrate their boat handling skills in berthing situations, picking up moorings and retrieving mob's under power and sail. Their general conduct as a skipper in efficiency, communication and all round knowledge shall be considered. To be able to run a happy ship that has her sails trimmed nicely is vital, as is having a comprehensive understanding of navigation.
Candidates shall be asked to prepare a passage plan and complete various navigation exercises including, for example, tidal heights and streams, secondary ports etc. A complete understanding of all the subjects covered within the RYA Shorebased courses shall stand you in excellent stead - but do not expect the examiner to assume your knowledge on the evidence of a shorebased certificate.
The week is fairly intensive, with your instructor digging for holes in your knowledge and asking for a demonstration of sound seamanship. The exam, frankly, is a testing affair; but we would argue that our candidates are well prepared and shall have a confident and competent approach.

USEFUL BACKGROUND READING
RYA Cruising Log Book. Contains all syllabi for the courses which will be duly signed off by your instructor and will also be your personal log of sea miles, night hours etc.
	£5.25
The Electronic Yachtmaster DVD The essential electronic primer for all saltwater navigators. One-to-one instruction for Yachtmasters and Dayskippers.
	£16.99
RYA Navigation Handbook Whether you are studying navigation as part of an RYA course or just want to know more about the art of navigation, this book is highly recommended. The RYA has adapted its Dayskipper, Coastal skipper, and Yachtmaster courses to reflect the fact that many sailors and motor boats now regard electronic instruments as their principal means of navigation. This book gives equal weight to both electronic and traditional methods, through both the means of power and sail.
	£16.99
RYA International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea Outlines the regulations concerning what should be done when a vessel is coming into contact with any other vessels.   It is therefore a vital aspect of seamanship, as every person taking to the seas must be confident that they will know what to do in these situations.   Outlined within the chapters is information on the conduct of vessels in many different situations. These are clearly laid out, enabling the reader to accurately translate the rules.
	£7.64

 

For more info on our courses, contact us