RYA Yachtmaster Ocean Theory

Unravel the mysteries of astronavigation, using a sextant, ocean passage making, worldwide meteorology and electronical navigation aids.

This course is for those aspiring to blue water cruising and is ideal for holders of the Yachtmaster Offshore certificate who are preparing for their first ocean passage.

Course Structure

The earth and the celestial sphere

Practical guide to the use and care of sextant at sea

Meridian altitudes

Sun, stars and other sights

Ocean passage planning

Prior to the course your navigation skills should be on the level of the Yachtmaster Offshore shorebased course.

If you are working towards your Yachtmaster Ocean Certificate of Competence, completion of this shorebased course exempts you from the written exam.

The course is taught over 40 hours with one exam paper. We can offer this course as an intensive week-long course.

Useful Information

Yachtmaster Ocean exam pre-requisites

Minimum seatime: Ocean passage as skipper or mate of watch. The candidate was fully involved in the planning of the passage, including selection of the route, the navigational plan, checking the material condition of the yacht and her equipment, storing spare gear, water and victuals and organising the watch-keeping routine; During the passage a minimum non-stop distance of 600 miles must have been run by the log, the yacht must have been at sea continuously for at least 96 hours and the yacht must have been more than 50 miles from land or charted objects while sailing a distance of at least 200 miles. Please see the ‘definition of passage’. All qualifying seatime must be within 10 years prior to the exam.

Form of exam: Oral and written assessment of sights take at sea. If you hold the Yachtmaster Ocean shorebased certificate you are exempt from the written assessment.

Certification required: RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate of Competence. An RYA/MCA Coastal Skipper Certificate is not qualified.

Minimum exam duration: Approximately 1.5 hours.