Yachtmaster Coastal - 5 Day Prep/Exam (RYA, USCG or other)

The Yachtmaster Coastal Certificate of Competence and Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate of Competence are run together as they have so much in common. They are both five day preparation courses run back to back with a two day exam. While the syllabus for each is very similar, the Yachtmaster candidate is required to have logged more sea time and will be pushed harder in the exam. The key benefit of running the two courses in parallel is that students who are unsure which level to pitch themselves at can start the week and decide part way through which exam to go for. The external examiner will not know which exam you are each taking until he/she meets you.

We run the preparation courses for these two exams slightly differently from most other sea schools. We restrict the total number of students on board to four (rather than five). This means you will get more practice at boat handling, time at the chart table navigating and opportunities to take command as skipper. Additionally we do not mix our exam candidates with our non exam students just to fill our boat up. It is unfair on you if you have to sit through Competent Crew and Day Skipper Students learning how to tack, gybe, hoist sails and take a 3 point fix (it’s unfair on them as well).

Course Structure

The preparation part of the week is intended to act as a refresher on pilotage, boat handling, safety, skippering and passage planning. In particular skills like blind navigation, sailing onto mooring buoys, night pilotage and MOB procedure. During the exam candidates will be set tasks to demonstrate their ability as a Yachtmaster and are asked questions on any part of the syllabus for all practical and shorebased courses up to Yachtmaster (Coastal or Offshore as appropriate). All meals are provided on board except one evening meal ashore (not included).

Useful Information

Pre Requisites:

30 days sail cruising*

800 miles logged*

12 night hours*

2 days as skipper*

RYA Coastal Skipper / Yachtmaster Offshore Shorebased knowledge

In date First Aid certificate

SRC or VHF Licence

RYA Sea Survival Course (recommended - compulsory if you are seeking a MCA/RYA Commercial Endorsement)

*At least 50% of this sea time should be on board yachts uner 24m LOA. For holders of the RYA Coastal Skipper Course Completion Certificate Sea Time is reduced to 20 days, 400 miles, 12 night hours and 2 days as skipper.

What's Included:

5 days of coaching

Use of the yacht for 5 days

Hire of the yacht for the exam (up to a further two days)

Gas and diesel for the full 7 days

Accommodation onboard

Meals, drinks and snacks onboard

Loan of a life jacket

Free Parking ( subject to terms & conditions )

What's Not Included:

RYA Yachtmaster Coastal Exam Fee

Hire of foul weather gear (£5/day if required)

Berthing fees, away from the home port

One evening meal (eaten ashore)