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

7 days (Sunday evening to Sunday), 5 day preparation and 2 days exam weekend with a maximum of 5 students per yacht

Previous Experience Required

30 days onboard a sailing yacht, 2 days as skipper, 800 miles logged, 12 night hours, VHF operators certificate, suitable first aid certificate. If a coastal skipper completion certificate is held, only 400 miles are required.

Content

To attain the RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Coastal qualification candidates must pass a practical examination of their skippering ability. The certificates are granted by the Royal Yachting Association in conjunction with the Maritime Coastal Agency and is amongst the worlds most respected yachting qualifications.

Exam preparation weeks are conducted by our most experienced skippers. During these 5 day courses your instructor covers the Coastal Skipper syllabus and will assess your ability and coach you in all the disciplines required to pass your RYA/MCA qualification, from mooring under sail, to “blind” navigation exercises.

Early in the week we will give you an honest appraisal of your chances of success and will then address any weaknesses that may have been highlighted. During the course you will take command of the yacht on passages by day and night, and practice boat handling techniques under sail and power.

Examiners expect a high standard of man overboard recovery so these drills are practiced intensively throughout the course. Other subjects covered include - passage planning and weather, preparation and safety at sea, maintenance, navigation, pilotage and knowledge of the international collision regulations. Before joining the course, students should have the pre-requisite experience outlined above, navigation theory to coastal skipper shore based level and a thorough knowledge of the collision regulations, particularly lights, shapes and sounds.

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 at the weekend. (We will arrange for your examiner and carry out all the administration) 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 exams so that you are relaxed and confident on the day.

Useful Information

High season and low season.