Yachtmaster

RYA Yachtmaster Coastal and Offshore Exam Prep

The Yachtmaster Coastal and Offshore Coastal exams are the highest levels of RYA certification. The course teaches are prepares candidates to take the RYA exams and covers all the required information

Prep courses last 5 days and cost GBP£1100

This does not include the cost of the RYA examinations

Yachtmaster Coastal Exams

In Yachtmaster Coastal exams, the candidate will be expected to demonstrate understanding but may not have had the opportunity to practise all aspects of the syllabus under a range of different weather conditions. 

    • Candidates must be at least 17 years old 

    • Candidates must hold a RYA VHF Short Range Certificate (SRC) or higher 

    • Candidates must hold a valid First Aid certificates dated within 3 years of the exam 

    • Recommended minimum sea time: 

      • 50 days at sea, 5 of which should be as Skipper 

      • 5 x 60nm passages, including 2 as Skipper with night passaging 2,500nm at sea 

      • 12 night hours

      • Half the qualifying sea time must be in tidal waters

Yachtmaster Offshore Exams

In Yachtmaster Offshore exams the candidate will be expected to demonstrate competence based on broad experience.

    • Candidates must be at least 17 years old 

    • Candidates must hold a RYA VHF Short Range Certificate or higher 

    • Candidates must hold a valid First Aid certificates dated within 3 years of the exam 

    • Recommended sea time: 

      • 30 days at sea, 2 of which should be as Skipper 

      • 800nm at sea 

      • 12 night hours 

      • Half the qualifying sea time must be in tidal waters

COLREGS

Questions will be confined to the International Regulations and although candidates must be aware of the existence of Local Regulations, they will not be expected to memorize specific local regulations. 

General rules (1-3) 

Steering and sailing rules (4-19) 

Lights and shapes rules (20-31) 

Sound and light signals rules (32-37) 

Signals for vessels fishing in close proximity (Annex II) 

Distress signals (Annex IV) 

Boat Handling

Candidates for RYA Yachtmaster Coastal examinations will be expected to answer questions or demonstrate ability in less complex situations only.

Candidates for Yachtmaster Offshore will be expected to answer questions or demonstrate ability in more complex situations and will also be expected to show a higher level of expertise: 

Coming to and weighing anchor under power or sail in various conditions of wind and tide 

In all berthing and un-berthing situations in various conditions of wind and tide 

In recovery of man overboard and being able to describe the effects of cold water shock and after care requirements of a casualty who has been in the water 

When towing under open sea conditions and in confined areas 

In boat handling in confined areas under sail 

In boat handling in heavy weather 

When using helmsmanship and sail trim to sail to best advantage 

Using warps for securing in an alongside berth and for shifting berth or winding 

Signals

Candidates for Yachtmaster Coastal & Offshore must hold the Short Range Certificate (SRC) Certificate of Competence in radiotelephony or a higher grade of certificate in radiotelephony. 

Responsibilities of the Skipper

Can skipper a yacht and manage the crew 

Communication with crew 

Delegation of responsibility and watch keeping organisation 

Preparing vessel for sea and for adverse weather 

Tactics for heavy weather and restricted visibility 

Emergency and distress situations 

Victualing for a cruise and feeding at sea 

Customs procedures 

Standards of behaviour and courtesy 

Meteorology

Definition of terms 

Sources of weather forecasts 

Weather systems and local weather effects 

Interpretation of weather forecasts, barometric trends and visible phenomena 

Ability to make passage planning decisions based on forecast information 

Seamanship & Maintenance

Properties, use and care of synthetic fibre ropes 

Knots 

General deck work at sea and in harbour 

Engine operations, and routine checks and trouble-shooting 

Improvisation of jury-rigs following gear failure 

Navigation

Charts, navigational publications and sources of navigational information 

Chart work, including position fixing and shaping course to allow for tidal stream and leeway 

Tidal height and tidal stream calculations 

Buoyage and visual aids to navigation 

Instruments including compasses, logs, echo sounders, radio navigation aids and chart work instruments 

Passage planning and navigational tactics 

Pilotage techniques 

Navigational records 

The limits of navigational accuracy and margins of safety 

Lee shore dangers 

Use of electronic navigation aids for passage planning and passage navigation 

Use of waypoints and electronic routing 

General understanding of Automatic Identification System (AIS) and use of radar for navigation, pilotage and collision avoidance 

Safety

Candidates will be expected to know what safety equipment should be carried on board a motor yacht, based either on the recommendations in the RYA Boat Safety Handbook (G16), the World Sailing Special Regulations or the Codes of Practice for the Safety of Small Commercial Vessels.

In particular, candidates must know the responsibilities of a skipper in relation to: 

The Safety briefing 

Safety harnesses 

Lifejackets 

Distress signalling (flares and electronic means) 

Stability 

Fire prevention and fighting 

Life rafts 

Knowledge of rescue procedures 

Helicopter rescue