Yachtmaster Offshore (Full Package, RYA, USCG or other)

What is the RYA Yachtmaster Exam Preparation Package – Theory & Practical?

It is important to understand that within the RYA Sail and Motor Cruising scheme, there is NO Yachtmaster course. Like most schools we offer “Yachtmaster Exam Preparation Training”

To attend RYA Yachtmaster Motor training package we will expect that you already have ALL the prerequisites to be eligible for the exam (see below). You should already be an experienced skipper who can competently handle a boat under sail/power in close-quarter situations and at sea. You should have a depth of knowledge equivalent to the RYA Yachtmaster Theory Course and have applied this in a variety of situations during day and night passages.

Our two-week theoretical and practical training courses aim to perfect your abilities, improving and fine tuning the skills and knowledge you already have. We will assess your strengths and weaknesses and concentrate on improving the latter, to help prepare you for the exam by your independent RYA Yachtmaster examiner.

To be eligible for the Yachtmaster exam you must meet the prerequisite mileage/experience given below. You are not asked to prove your miles, but you will be asked to fill out a sea miles log that will be handed to the examiner before the exam. Without the minimum experience you will not be permitted to do the exam.

Whether you go for Sail or Motor depends on the experience you have as the miles and experience you present to the examiner must be on the same type of vessel as the discipline you’re going for (e.g. you can’t present miles on a sailing yacht if you’re hoping to achieve Yachtmaster Motor).

Pre-requisites for the Yachtmaster Coastal exam are:

• 30 days at sea, 800 miles on vessels less than 24m LOA
• 2 days as skipper on vessels less than 24m LOA
• 12 night hours 

Pre-requisites for the Yachtmaster offshore exam are:

• 50 days at sea, 2500 miles on yachts up to 500gt2
• 5 days as skipper on vessels less than 24m LOA
• 5 passages over 60 miles long which must include 2 overnight passages and 2 as skipper

For both of the above Yachtmaster Exams:

• At least half the qualifying sea time must be gained in tidal waters.
• All qualifying sea time must be within 10 years prior to the exam.
• All sea time must be on vessels of the same discipline as the exam to be taken, i.e. Sail or Power

Our two-week packages start with a week of theory in our training centre. The theory course starts at 0845 hrs on a Monday and runs for 6 consecutive days.

In the second week, you’ll board one of our training yachts for five full days of practical training, Monday to Friday. (Sometimes Sunday – Thursday)

The practical exam will commence either on Friday or Saturday (depending on the examiner’s flights/weather conditions, and can run through until Monday).

(Please do not plan any ongoing travel arrangements until you’ve spoken with us; we can advise the time for the exam finish)

The course fee includes:

• YM theory. 6-day course – (Includes course notes & materials)
• YM practical prep, 5-day course.
• Free use of the boat during the exam
• Fuel for the duration of the course exam included.

Other Expenses:

• The fee for the exam is not included. This is paid directly to the RYA and costs £231 for offshore and £200 for coastal.
• Examiner expenses are not included. These are typically between 100€-200€ per student.
• Accommodation is also not included, however, we are very centrally located on Palma´s Paseo Maritimo so there are lots of options nearby.

You will also need:

• First Aid Certificate (in date)
• VHF/SRC Certificate

If you don´t have these, they can be incorporated into your package, please ask us.

Commercial Endorsement

A commercial endorsement is required for work on board British flagged vessels subject to the MCA’s codes of practice for small commercial vessels.

Additional training courses and a medical fitness certificate are required to be eligible for a commercial endorsement.

• Either an ENG1 or ML5 Medical
• STCW or RYA Sea survival certificate
• Complete the RYA’s online PPR Course

Once you have completed these three steps then you can apply for commercial endorsement through the RYA. It can take a few weeks for your certificate to arrive in the post, so plan ahead.

Useful Information