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

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

Previous Experience Required

50 days onboard a sailing yacht, 5 days as skipper, 2500 miles logged, 5 passages of over 60 miles including 2 overnight and 2 as skipper. VHF radio operators certificate and a valid first aid Certificate.

Content

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

Exam preparations are conducted by our most experienced skippers. During these 5 day courses your instructor will assess your ability and coach you in all the disciplines required to pass, from mooring under sail, to “blind” navigation exercises.

Early in the week the instructor 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. 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.