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

The Yachtmaster Coastal Certificate of Competence and Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate of Competence preparation courses are both run together as they have so much in common. The package consists of a five day preparation course run back to back with a two day exam. Whilst the syllabus for each is very similar, the Yachtmaster Offshore 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 undecided and choose part way through which exam to opt for. The external examiner will not know which exam you are each taking until he/she meets you.

At Stormforce Coaching, we run the preparation courses for these two exams slightly differently from most other sea schools. We restrict the total number of students to four (rather than five) per course. This means you will get more practice at boat handling, more time at the chart table navigating, as well as more 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 will be covered.

During the exam candidates will be set tasks to demonstrate their ability as a Yachtmaster and will be asked questions on any part of the syllabus for all practical and shorebased courses up to Yachtmaster (Coastal or Offshore as appropriate).

Useful Information

Pre Requisites:

SEATIME (of which at least 50% is logged in tidal waters) 50 days sail cruising (at least 50% on board vessels between 7 LWL and 24m LOA)

2,500 miles logged (at least 50% on board vessels between 7 LWL and 24m LOA)

QUALIFYING PASSAGES (on board vessel between 7m LWL and 24m LOA) 5 passages of 60 miles or more 2 of those passage as skipper

2 of those passages being overnight

KNOWLEDGE RYA Coastal Skipper / Yachtmaster Offshore Shorebased

CERTIFICATES In date First Aid

SRC or VHF

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

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 on-board

Loan of a life jacket

Free Parking ( subject to terms & conditions )

What\'s Not Included:

RYA Yachtmaster Offshore Exam Fee (paid to the examiner on the day)

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

Berthing fees, away from the home port

One evening meal (eaten ashore)