yachtmaster ocean certificate of competence

RYA Certificates of Competence, Part 5 - Yachtmaster Ocean

Sailing qualification recognised around the world as a clear mark of your sailing ability.

By Marcin Wojtyczka

In this article in series about RYA certifications we reveal how to pass the RYA Yachtmaster® Ocean Certificate of Competence.

The RYA Yachtmaster Ocean Certificate of Competence is proof that you have the knowledge and experience needed to skipper a yacht on passages of any length in all parts of the world. The RYA Yachtmaster Ocean is the highest certification level at RYA.

The holder of a Yachtmaster Ocean qualification should be competent to skipper a yacht of up to 24 metres LOA (up to 200gt) anywhere in the World (Category 0 waters - unlimited).

The assessment is done by oral interrogation (~1.5 hours). You also need to pass the written (~1.5 hours) exam if you did not complete the Ocean Theory course, complete a qualifying passage, and prepare narrative account and navigational records. You have to stand to attention before seasoned RYA-appointed examiner and convince him that you sailed as skipper or first mate and that you know the job. To be honest, there is probably no better way of doing it.

Don’t treat the examination just as an exam. This is a great opportunity to get feedback on your skills and become a better sailor.

Requirements

You can find the official requirements here .

• Hold an RYA Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate of Competence
• Have completed a qualifying passage which meets the following criteria: You were fully involved with the planning of the passage, including a selection of the route, the navigational plan, checking the material condition of the yacht and her equipment, spare gear, victuals and organising the watch-keeping routine. Throughout the passage you must have acted in a responsible capacity either in sole charge of a watch or as a skipper. Qualifying passage should be non-stop by the shortest navigable route with no change of skipper. During the qualifying passage a minimum non-stop distance of 600 miles must have been run by the log, the yacht must have been at sea continuously for at least 96 hours and the yacht must have been more than 50 miles from land or any charted navigational object while sailing a distance of 200 miles. You can find the exact requirements of the qualifying passage here . If you have any doubts about whether your chosen route qualifies, you can always contact RYA at [email protected] During the qualifying passage you should take some sights to prove that you are actually capable of navigating out of sight of land by astro navigation. If circumstances prevent astro sights from being taken on the ocean-qualifying passage you can also take them on another shorter passage. You just have to make sure to be enough far from shore so that the sights are taken out of sight of land.

Preparation

Before taking the oral exam, it is recommended to take Yachtmaster Ocean Theory course . If you complete the course, you will be exempted from the written examination.

Please also take a look at our routes . On all our offshore passages we are navigating using celestial navigation. Some of our passages qualify for the RYA Yachtmaster Ocean certification where you can be a watch leader to meet the qualifying passage requirements. Many of our participants passed the prestigious RYA Yachtmaster Ocean exam and keep returning year after year to us in order to become yet more confident and experienced. Our practical on-the-water training builds confidence, teaching you everything from basic terminology and safety tips to how to skipper a yacht and manage its crew.

Exam Syllabus

During the oral exam, the questions should generally be related to your qualifying passage but may also refer to longer passages if needed to find out if you are capable of an ocean crossing. You may be required to answer questions on all aspects of ocean passage-making in a yacht, including passage planning, navigation, worldwide meteorology, crew management and yacht preparation, maintenance and repairs.

After booking the exam and at least 1 week before the exam date you must provide the examiner with:

• A narrative account of the planning and execution of the qualifying passage.
• Navigational records, completed on board a yacht on passage, out of sight of land, showing that you navigated the yacht without the use of electronic navigational aids. As a minimum, this should include the planning, reduction, and plotting of a sun-run-meridian altitude or sun-run-sun sight and a compass check carried out using the bearing of the sun, moon, star or planet.

The examiner will not be hard on you if you provide a good narrative account and lots of navigational records. You should show him or her that you thought about many aspects of voyage planning and execution, and that you care about the safety of the yacht and the crew. You will definitely fail if you show a cavalier altitude.

The narrative should include the following:

• Brief description of the chosen vessel and suitability for the voyage
• Crew selection
• Pre-checks on the condition of the yacht, including hull, rigging, engine, electrics and fittings checks
• Navigational passage planning: route selection, sources of information to decide on a strategy, expected and possible durations of the passage if no wind/rig failure/divert to the port of refuge etc.
• Navigational equipment: electronic and manuals
• Weather: source of information pre-departure, weather forecasting sources on passage, actual weather experienced
• Harbours planned: pilotage, reporting, berthing, customs and immigrations procedures
• Ports of refuge
• Watchkeeping rota
• Consumables provisioning: victualling (water and food) and fueling/bunkering - estimating daily usage, the amount carried, allowance for delays, calms and emergencies, preparation for what-if scenarios (e.g. contamination of water, fridge failure etc.)
• Consumables monitoring en route: fuel, gas, food, water, battery
• Methods of charging batteries, battery capacity and electrical consumption calculations
• Medical kit carried and preparation for medical emergencies (e.g. availability of suitable courses)
• Standing orders
• Safety briefing conducted
• Routine equipment checks and maintenance, precautionary replacements
• Drills practices before departure and during the passage
• Fire precautions
• VHF / HF / MF channels monitored
• Communications equipment carried
• Position reporting to shore stations
• Navigational hazards including shipping lanes and shallows
• Expected shipping traffic and other vessels encountered (e.g. fishing fleets)
• Use of courtesy ensigns and Q flag
• Emergency (contingency) plans: MOB, rig failure, hull breach, steering failure, port/hatch failure, engine failure, abandon ship, divert to the port of refuge, heavy weather preparation and tactics, emergency repairs (e.g. jury-rigging, repairing damage to the hull, jury-steering)
• Spare gear and tools required, carried and used
• Deck safety: clipping on and numbers of the crew on deck
• Charts and publications used
• Copy of ship’s log and charts
• Navigation by sextant: all written sight reduction, compass check and plotting sheets completed at sea (not tidied up ashore)
• Procedure for cleaning and securing the yacht at the end of the passage

Example of RYA Yachtmaster Ocean narrative.

The written exam will include questions on celestial navigation (sights and sight reduction) and worldwide meteorology.

If you hold the RYA Yachtmaster Ocean shorebased course completion certificate you will be exempted from the written examination.

Learning materials

• Celestial Navigation in practice - Astro navigation primer.
• Celestial Navigation - With the Sight Reduction Tables with Pub. No 249 - This book gives the clearest explanation of how celestial navigation works and how to use it without bogging down in theory.
• How to use sextant (PDF) , Video
• RYA Certificates of Competence
• Certificates

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Chieftain Training

RYA & STCW Courses – Sail, Power, Super-Yacht & Workboat

What is an Ocean Yachtmaster

What is an ocean yachtmaster and how to become an ocean yachtmaster.

The RYA/MCA Ocean Yachtmaster Certificate of Competence (CoC) is the highest level certificate in the RYA scheme. It can be used by blue water leisure sailors and by commercial skippers and crew. Under the MCA Codes of practice the Ocean Yachtmaster Certificate of Competence holder, (with relevant commercial endorsement etc.) can skipper a vessel;

• Up to 200 tonnes
• Carrying up to 12 passengers
• Anywhere globally (i.e. beyond the 150 miles from a safe haven limit imposed upon a Yachtmaster Offshore ).

Furthermore the Yachtmaster Ocean CoC Exam is required for the Chief Officer 3000 Certificate of Competence  (for yachts over 200 tonne).

There are 5 stepping stones to becoming an Ocean Yachtmaster CoC holder. Steps 1-4 can be taken in any order although the order presented below is the most logical. Step 5 can only be completed once the first 4 steps have been completed.

• Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate of Competence

RYA Ocean Yachtmaster Shorebased Course

Ocean qualifying passage.

• Sights and Compass Check by sextant at sea

RYA/MCA Ocean Yachtmaster Certificate of Competence Oral Exam

It is technically possible to take the Ocean Yachtmaster CoC Oral exam without having previously completed the RYA Ocean Shorebased Course but not advised as it involves an additional written exam and you would require all of the relevant knowledge taught on the course. Further information is detailed the relevant 5 steps below;

Becoming a Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate of Competence Holder

While you can proceed towards the RYA Ocean shorebased course and the Ocean practical steps (qualifying passage and sights) you can not proceed to the Oral exam without first holding the Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate of Competence .

This is a 40-hour theory course. It can be taken;

• Over 5 consecutive days face to face in the classroom
• Over 13 evenings face to face night school in the classroom
• Over 5.5 days face to face using zoom
• Online in your own time.

Whichever format you choose the course culminates in a written paper.

The course concentrates on astro navigation, i.e using a sextant and the heavenly bodies (sun, moon, stars and planets) to fix your position. The course also devotes time to ocean voyage planning and worldwide meteorology.

Full details can be found at Ocean Yachtmaster Shorebased Course

While you don’t strictly need to be a Yachtmaster Offshore before taking the Ocean Yachtmaster Shorebased Course , the following knowledge is assumed before the Ocean Shorebased course starts;

• Use of plotting instruments (plotter, dividers etc.)
• Latitude and longitude, knots and nautical miles
• Variation and deviation
• Application of UT, DST
• 2/3 Point fixes and angles of cut
• Dead Reckoning / EP (and ideally the Running Fix)
• GPS and other electronic nav aids
• Coastal/offshore voyage planning
• Sources of forecast information
• Synoptic charts
• Low pressure systems
• Coastal communications /distress comms. (Navtex, VHF, EPIRBs and SARTs)

Is the Ocean Shorebased Written Exam Invigilated?

If you take a face to face Ocean Yachtmaster Shorebased Course then the written paper is invigilated and marked by your Instructor.

If you choose to take the Online or Webinar RYA Ocean Yachtmaster Shorebased Course then face to face invigilation may be required (see table below).

What qualifies as a RYA Yachtmaster Ocean Qualifying Passage?

An Ocean Qualifying Passage must have been taken in the last 10 years. Sea time prior to this date does not qualify. The passage must meet the following requirements

Ocean Candidate’s Role On Board

For your qualifying passage you should be either the skipper or mate in sole charge of a watch. You must have been  fully involved in the planning of the passage, including selection of the route, the navigational plan, checking the material condition of the vessel and her equipment, storing with spare gear, water and victuals and organising the watch-keeping routine.

If the skipper changes role at any point during the passage, then neither skipper can use the passage as a qualifying passage.

It is our opinion that it is impossible for multiple Ocean Yachtmaster candidates to use the same passage as their qualifying passage as you can not all fit the definitions above. More than two candidates would be highly unlikely more than three impossible.

The passage has several minimum requirements

• Departure and arrival ports must be more than 600 miles apart by the shortest navigable route
• Minimum non-stop distance of 600 miles must have been run by the log
• At least 200 miles of that passage must have been more 50 miles from land (or charted objects capable of being used for navigation/position fixing, such as an offshore oil rig)
• The vessel must have been at sea continuously for at least 96 hours

Passages such as recognised races which may not comply exactly with these requirements may be submitted to the RYA for consideration before the voyage.

Examples of Ocean qualifying passages (non stop passages)

• Trans-Atlantic ARC Rally (Canary Islands to St. Lucia/Caribbean)
• Between Azores and anywhere in mainland Europe/UK or the Canary Islands
• Between Bermuda and any of; Bahamas, Caribbean, Canada or most of USA (parts of North Carolina fall below the requirements)
• Between Bermuda and the Azores or Europe
• Solent/UK to Cascais/Portugal,Algarve, Southern Spain or Gibraltar (assuming you follow the rum line or stay offshore when crossing Biscay)
• Trans Pacific Passage (excluding passages between Alaska and Russia, on or close to the Bering Sea)
• Atlantic Germany (Elbe) to Scotland, where the 200 mile run is impossible due to oil rigs)
• Gibraltar to Northern Lanzarote where the mileage falls slightly below 600
• RORC Fastnet Race which does not follow the shortest navigable route or have the 200 mile run
• Northern Spain to Majorca, although well over 600 miles, very little of the passage is over 50 miles from land

If you still are not sure about whether a passage qualifies, then check out the RYA’s definition of a qualifying passage .

Vessel used for Ocean Qualifying Passage

The yacht (or vessel) must be;

• Minimum size 7m, LWL
• Maximum size 500 tonnes (If the vessel is over 24m LOA then the candidate would need to hold an OOW 3000 Certificate of Competence to act as Officer of the Watch on the passage).

Sights and Compass Check by Sextant at Sea

You are required to provide your Ocean Examiner with a minimum of’

• Sun Run Mer Pass (or sun run sun, sun run planet etc.)
• Compass check carried out using the bearing of the sun, moon, a star or planet

Sights are usually taken on the qualifying passage however in some circumstances (such as lots of cloud cover) this is not possible. If sights have been taken on another passage then the following requirement apply to this passage.

• The vessel must of been out of sight of land and charted objects when the sights are taken/used.
• The vessel must be on a passage by the shortest navigable route. You can not therefore simply head offshore take sights and return to departure port.

We always advise candidates to present the examiner with more than the minimum required sights. If you present the examiner with additional sights and your preferred set suffers from errors you still stand a chance of passing the exam.

Prior to the exam you will need to provide the examiner with;

• A narrative account of the planning and execution of the qualifying passage providing all relevant details.
• Navigational records, completed on board a yacht on passage, out of sight of land showing that the candidate has navigated the yacht without the use of electronic navigational aids. The records must include as a minimum, planning, reduction and plotting of a sun run meridian altitude sight and a compass check carried out using the bearing of the sun, moon, a star or planet.

During the oral exam you will be required to answer questions on all aspects of ocean passage making in a yacht, including passage planning, navigation, worldwide meteorology, crew management and yacht preparation, maintenance and repairs.

If you already hold the RYA Ocean Shorebased Course Certificate , the exam typically takes 1.5 hours although examiners can continue questioning considerably longer. If you do not hold the Ocean Shorebased certificate then your exam will take considerably longer as you will also have to take a written test.

Does the Ocean Yachtmaster Qualifying Passage have to be on the same type of vessel as I took my Yachtmaster Offshore Exam on (i.e. power or sail)?

Most candidates will qualify in the same kind of vessel as they passed their Offshore exam, however it is possible to qualify as a Yachtmaster Offshore (power) and then comlpete the Yachtmaster Ocean requirements on a sail vessel (or vice versa).

I hold a OOW (Yacht 3000gt) CoC but not a Yachtmaster Offshore CoC

If you passed the Yachtmaster Coastal Certificate of Competence Exam instead of the Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate of Competence Exam as your entry requirement into the OOW 3000 CoC then you will not be eligible to hold the Yachtmaster Ocean Certificate of Competence. On passing the oral exam you will receive a pass confirmation certificate.

How do I commercially endorse the Yachtmaster Ocean Certificate of Competence?

Those working under the MCA Codes of practice will require a commercial endorsement. Information can be found at RYA Commercial Endorsements . If you already hold a commercial endorsement on your Yachtmaster Offshore CoC then it is simply transferred across.

Do I require any other certificates to operate commercially as an Ocean Yachtmaster?

To operate a coded sailing yacht in Category 1 or 0 waters (i.e. Over 60 miles from a safe haven) you will additionally require a RYA Diesel Certificate .

To operate the mandatory GMDSS radio equipment on a commercial vessel in Sea Area A2 (more than about 35 miles offshore) you require either a Long Range Certificate (LRC) or STCW General Operator Certificate (GOC) .

To skipper a coded vessel in Category 1 or 0 waters (i.e. Over 60 miles from a safe haven) you will additionally need to hold  STCW Proficiency in Medical First Aid and Proficiency in Medical Care , unless there is a current qualified nurse practitioner (or higher) on board.

If working aboard a vessel in Category 1 or 0 waters (i.e. Over 60 miles from a safe haven) you will need a ENG1 Medical certificate.  The alternatives which are suitable further inshore such as ML5 Medical Certificate  are not valid in category 1 and 0 waters.

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Neptune Maritime Training Sail & Power

Unravel the mysteries of astro navigation, using a sextant, ocean passage making, worldwide meteorology and electronic navigation aids.

This course is for those aspiring to blue water cruising and is ideal for holders of theYachtmaster Offshore certificate who are preparing for their first ocean passage.

Topics covered include:

• The earth and the celestial sphere
• Practical guide to use and care of sextant at sea
• Meridian altitudes
• Sun, star and other sights
• Ocean passage planning

Prior to the course your navigation skills should be at the standard of the Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaster Offshore shorebased course.

If you are working towards your Yachtmaster Ocean Certificate of Competence, completion of this shorebased course exempts you from the written exam.

The course is taught over 40 hours with one exam paper. It can be covered as a series of short sessions, as an intensive week-long course.

Ocean Yachtmaster Practical

We regularly organise practical experience in taking sights and plotting positions on board. We can also help you achive your quallifing passage.

We will work with you through the process and review your documentation before submitting for assessment.

you are welcome to borrow one of our sextants and almanacs to help you develop your skills before the practical passage.

A person holding a Yachtmaster Ocean qualification is experienced and competent to skipper a yacht on passages of any length in all parts of the world.

Details of Courses and Prices

The Yachtmaster Ocean exam is an oral and written test of your knowledge of ocean passage making including planning, navigation, worldwide meteorology, crew management, yacht preparation, maintenance and repairs. You will also be questioned on your sights taken at sea during an ocean passage.

We hold regular Yachtmaster ocean theory courses . these cover the essencial knowledge as well as practice in taking sights and plotting positions while sailing.

Course costs

• RYA yachtmaster ocean course 790e
• practical trip for celestial sights 450e (2 days)
• RYA exam fees for ocean oral 250e (£200 direct to RYA)

What is include

• Course material
• use of a sextant during the course
• RYA course completion certificates
• teas, coffee soft drinks

What is not included

• flights and travel to course
• accomodation ashore
• meals and drinks ashore
• personal travel insurance
• any RYA examination fees for certification

The candidate must provide the examiner with:

• A narrative account of the planning and execution of the qualifying passage
• Navigational records, completed on board a yacht on passages, out of sight of land showing that the candidate has navigated the yacht without the use of electronic navigational aids.

The records must include as a minimum: planning, reduction and plotting of a sun run meridian altitude sight and a compass check carried out using the bearing of the sun, moon, a star or planet.

During the oral test the candidate may be required to answer questions on all aspects of ocean passage making in a yacht, including passage planning, astro navigation, worldwide meteorology, crew management and yacht preparation, maintenance and repairs.

The written exam will include questions on star sight planning and reduction and worldwide meteorology. Candidates who hold the RYA Yachtmaster Ocean Shorebased certificate, Royal Navy Ocean Navigation Certificate or a DoT Certificate of Competence as a Deck Officer will be exempt from the written examination.

Before you book your exam please check that you:

• have completed the required mileage and experience as skipper
• hold a VHF Radio Operators License or Short Range Certificate
• hold a valid first aid certificate
• have read the syllabus in RYA publications: G15 (sail) or G18 (power)
• have read and comply with the pre-requisites above.

If you need a Yachtmaster Ocean Certificate of Competence in order to work on board a commercial craft subject to the MCA’s codes of practice, you will need to get it commercially endorsed – see left. You can then work worldwide as a Master of commercial vessels of up to 200gt.

The Yachtmaster Ocean Certificate of Competence can be used commercially in its own right. It is also a pre-requisite for the MCA’s Chief Mate, Master 500 and Master 3000 qualifications.

Contact details

• Certificates of Competence
• RYA Yachtmaster

What is an RYA Yachtmaster?

The RYA Yachtmaster® Certificate of Competence is often the ultimate aim of aspiring skippers. It is a well known, highly respected qualification worldwide, proving your experience and competence as a skipper. Unlike other qualifications in the cruising programme, there is no formal training course to become an RYA Yachtmaster. Instead, provided you have sufficient experience, certification and seatime, you can put yourself forward for an exam to test your skills and knowledge. There are a number of RYA navigation courses that will help you prepare for your exam. Many RYA Yachtmaster candidates also choose to book themselves into an RYA training centre for some specialised exam preparation training, but this is not compulsory.

You are capable of coastal passages

You are competent to undertake passages up to 150 miles offshore

You have the knowledge and experience to sail worldwide

• Arranging your exam

The Coastal and Offshore exams are practical tests afloat, and the Ocean is an oral exam. Find out more about qualifying passages, exam fees and how to book. 

With an RYA Yachtmaster Coastal, Offshore or Ocean Certificate of Competence you can start a career at sea.

You'll need to have the appropriate qualification for the vessel and area of operation.

If you want to work commercially, you'll need a commercial endorsement.

Find out more about other RYA professional qualifications.

• Getting the most from a Yachtmaster Fast Track course

Can you really become an RYA Yachtmaster in as little as 14 weeks? Check out our top tips for getting the most from a Yachtmaster Fast Track course...

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+441983 280 641

• Yachtmaster Ocean

The Yachtmaster Ocean certificate is the highest qualification available in the RYA scheme.

• Become a Yachtmaster
• Career paths

The Yachtmaster Ocean is the highest qualification awarded by the RYA. Recognised worldwide, the Yachtmaster Ocean certificate proves you have the knowledge, experience, and confidence to skipper a yacht across an ocean.

What does the Yachtmaster Ocean qualify me to do?

The Yachtmaster Ocean Certificate of Competence allows the holder to skipper a yacht on an Ocean passage of any length.

The RYA has a structured route from beginner to Yachtmaster Ocean. You can choose sail or Power .

Whether you sail or enjoy powerboats, there is a route to Yachtmaster Ocean. To do the Yachtmaster Ocean, it’s fair to say that most people will choose the sailing route. This is because very few motorboats under 60 meters can cross an ocean. Smaller motorboats have a limited fuel range.

Become a professional skipper.

After passing the Yachtmaster Ocean exam, you have the opportunity to become a professional skipper. You can achieve this by applying for commercial endorsement.

It it worth pointing out at this stage, if you are considering working as a professional skipper then you will need to complete a medical, either the ENG1 or ML5 . The medical confirms you are fit to work at sea.

To apply for Commercial Endorsement you would have completed additional safety training courses, including STCW Basic Safety Training , plus an online Professional Practices and Responsibilities (PPR) course, and passed a medical.

Once you have completed these additional safety qualifications, you can apply for commercial endorsement and start a career as a professional skipper.

Superyacht crew

To become a Chief Mate on a Superyacht, Deckhands, Bosuns, and Officers must first obtain their Yachtmaster Ocean Certificate.

Requirements for RYA Yachtmaster Ocean

To sit the RYA Yachtmaster Ocean Oral exam, candidates will be experienced sailors with a good depth of knowledge of sailing offshore, and on extended passages.

The requirements for the RYA Yachtmaster Ocean exam are as follows:

1. Hold the Yachtmaster Offshore certificate of competence.

2. Complete a 600-mile offshore passage acting in a position of responsibility (skipper or watch leader).

3. Have completed a series of celestial sights fixing your position at sea, including a sun run meridian altitude sight and a compass check carried out using a bearing of the sun, moon, or stars.

4. Be a competent offshore/Ocean skipper with good offshore experience.

5. Have extensive knowledge of Ocean weather patterns and conditions that can affect a trip across an ocean.

Once you have met these prerequisites, you can sit for the Yachtmaster Ocean Oral exam. You can sit the  Yachtmaster Ocean Oral exam

The difference between Yachtmaster Offshore and Ocean

Yachtmaster Offshore and Yachtmaster Ocean differ in Astro navigation, using the sun and stars to determine position. If you were sailing across an ocean and all electronic equipment were to fail, then having the knowledge to fix your position using a sextant would prove invaluable.

The Yachtmaster Offshore allows you to take a yacht on a journey no more than 150 miles from harbour. On the other hand, the Yachtmaster Ocean has no restrictions or limitations.

How do I become a Yachtmaster Ocean?

There are two options; the first is if you have your own boat. By having your own yacht, you can learn skills at your own pace with friends and family. You may want some basic training to get you going in the right direction, then build miles and experience. This option is cheaper if you don’t count the yacht’s cost, and you can learn at your own speed.

The drawback is that achieving Yachtmaster Ocean is finding the balance between training, work, friends, and family can be tricky. Furthermore, convincing friends to go sailing in the depths of winter means achieving your goal can take years.

The second option is joining a structured training programme. You can complete all the training at once and not have the hassle of owning your own yacht. A lot of people combine the Yachtmaster Ocean with travel, completing their training somewhere warm and sunny.

Our Yachtmaster Ocean course takes you from a novice sailor to Yachtmaster Ocean in 16 weeks. The training programme includes all the skills, qualifications, and experience you need to become an Ocean Master.

The course is for everyone, regardless of age or experience. It is suitable for beginners and experienced sailors who don’t have any formal qualifications. Whatever your sailing experience.

All you need in one course

Yachtmaster ocean course.

We take you from beginner to Yachtmaster Ocean in one 16-week training course.

Already have Yachtmaster Offshore

Yachtmaster ocean theory and passage.

If you hold the Yachtmaster Offshore qualification and want Ocean, then choose this option.

RYA Yachtmaster™ Exams

An rya yachtmaster™ certificate of competence is often the ultimate aim of aspiring skippers., rya yachtmaster™ certificate of competence exams.

The RYA Yachtmaster™ Certificate of Competence is well known and highly respected worldwide, proving your experience as a skipper. Unlike the other courses in the RYA Sail Training Scheme, there is no formal syllabus to complete in order to attain an RYA Yachtmaster™ Certificate of Competence.

We highly recommend attending our RYA Yachtmaster™ preparation course to fine tune your sailing skills and focus your knowledge base before the exam.

RYA Yachtmaster™ Certificate of Competence – Coastal or Offshore?

The RYA Yachtmaster™ Coastal means that you have knowledge needed to skipper a yacht on coastal cruises. You do not necessarily have the experience needed to undertake longer passages. The exam will include an assessment of your skippering skills, boat handling, general seamanship, navigation, safety awareness and knowledge of the IRPCS (collision regulations), meteorology and signals. You will be set tasks to demonstrate your ability and may also be asked questions on any part of the syllabus for all practical and theory courses up to Yachtmaster™ Coastal level.

The RYA Yachtmaster™ Offshore deems you competent to skipper a cruising yacht on any passage during which the yacht is no more than 150 miles from harbour. The exam will include an assessment of your skippering skills, boat handling, general seamanship, navigation, safety awareness and knowledge of the IRPCS, meteorology and signals. You will be set tasks to demonstrate your ability and may also be asked questions on any part of the syllabus for all practical and theory courses up to Yachtmaster™ Offshore level.

RYA Yachtmaster™ Certificate of Competence Commercial Endorsement

RYA Yachtmaster™ Certificates of Competence can be commercially endorsed in order to work on board British flagged vessels, subject to the MCA’s codes of practice for small commercial vessels. A number of additional training courses and medical fitness certificates are required to be eligible for a commercial endorsement . We offer the online RYA Personal Practices and Responsibilities course – email us to book .

RYA Yachtmaster™ Mile/Experience Building Charters

If you do not have the required experience and sea time, we recommend booking on our Bluewater Sailing mile/experience building cruises . We offer these adventurous training trips throughout the year in the Caribbean.

RYA Yachtmaster™ Preparation Course

Many RYA Yachtmaster™ candidates choose to complete our Yachtmaster™ preparation course for the benefit of tailor-made sailing tuition prior to the examination. Provided that you have sufficient experience and sea time, you are then put forward immediately as a candidate for the Yachtmaster™ exam. Click here for helpful information from the RYA on passing your exam.

Working with a Yachtmaster™ Coastal Certificate

A commercially endorsed Yachtmaster™ Coastal Certificate of Competence will enable you to skipper vessels up to 24 metres in length, operating in category 3,4,5, and 6 waters – up to 20 miles from a safe haven.

Working with a Yachtmaster™ Offshore Certificate

A commercially endorsed Yachtmaster™ Offshore Certificate of Competence will enable you to work as a Master of commercial vessels of up to 200gt in category 1 to 6 waters – that is up to 150 miles from a safe haven. This Certificate of Competence can used commercially in its own right, or as a prerequisite for the MCA’s Officer of the Watch qualification, which enables you to work worldwide on vessels of up to 3000gt.

Working with a Yachtmaster™ Ocean Certificate

A commercially endorsed Yachtmaster Ocean Certificate of Competence will enable you to work worldwide as a Master of commercial vessels of up to 200gt. This Certificate of Competence can be used commercially in its own right. It is also a prerequisite for the MCA’s Chief Mate, Master 500 and Master 3000 qualifications.

RYA Yachtmaster™ Exam Prerequisites

Rya yachtmaster™ exam details, rya yachtmaster™ ocean certificate of competence.

Holders of the Yachtmaster™ Ocean Certificate of Competence are experienced and competent to skipper a yacht on passages of any length in all parts of the world.

Full details of the exam syllabus and requirements are shown in the RYA Yachtmaster™ Scheme Syllabus and Logbook (G158). The exam consists of an oral and written test.

The candidate must provide the examiner with the following information 48 hours prior to the exam:

•  A narrative account of the planning and execution of the qualifying passage providing all relevant details.
• Navigational records, completed on board a yacht on passage, out of sight of land showing that the candidate has navigated the yacht without the use of electronic navigational aids. The records must include as a minimum, planning, reduction and plotting of a sun run meridian altitude sight and a compass check carried out using the bearing of the sun, moon, a star or planet. 

During the oral test the candidate will be required to answer questions on all aspects of ocean passage making in a yacht, including passage planning, navigation, worldwide meteorology, crew management and yacht preparation, maintenance and repairs.

The written exam will include questions on sights and sight reduction and worldwide meteorology.

Candidates who hold the RYA/MCA Yachtmaster™ Ocean Theory Course Completion Certificate (final exam must have been invigilated at an RYA RTC), or a MCA issued full STCW Certificate of Competence as a Deck Officer (Unlimited) will be exempt from the written examination.

Before you book your exam please check that you:

• have completed the required mileage and experience as skipper
• have read the syllabus in RYA Logbook (G158)
• have read and comply with the pre-requisites above.

If you need your Certificate of Competence in order to work on board a commercial craft subject the MCA’s codes of practice, you will need to get it commercially endorsed .

Please note: Only those who hold the RYA Yachtmaster™ Offshore Certificate of Competence are eligible to receive the Yachtmaster™ Ocean Certificate of Competence on passing the oral exam. Those holding OOW (Yacht 3000gt) will receive a pass confirmation certificate.

RYA Yachtmaster™ Ocean Exam Prerequisites

Unravelling the RYA Cruising Scheme: Choosing the Right Course for Your Yachting Adventures

Hello there, future sailors and seasoned sea dogs alike! As a professional RYA instructor, I am thrilled to guide you through the Royal Yachting Association’s (RYA) Cruising Scheme, both Sail and Motor. This structured scheme is designed to help you step confidently into the exciting world of boating, irrespective of your skill level. Let’s embark on this voyage together, as I detail each course, its prerequisites, and the qualifications you’ll gain.

Starting Your Journey

Start yachting (sail) and start motor cruising (motor).

These entry-level courses are perfect for beginners looking for a short introduction to sailing or motor cruising. No previous experience is needed; just bring your enthusiasm and an eagerness to learn.

You’ll earn the Start Yachting or Start Motor Cruising certificate, symbolising your initiation into the maritime world and your ability to be a helpful crew member under supervision.

Building Fundamental Skills

Essential navigation and seamanship (sail and motor).

This theory course is an excellent progression from the Start courses. It provides essential knowledge about navigation and safety, beneficial for every crew member. No prerequisites are needed.

The Essential Navigation and Seamanship certificate will validate your basic theoretical knowledge, laying a foundation for safe navigation in familiar waters.

Competent Crew (Sail) and Helmsman (Motor)

These practical courses are aimed at individuals who have completed the Start Yachting or Start Motor Cruising courses or have equivalent experience.

The Competent Crew certificate (Sail) or Helmsman certificate (Motor) you’ll earn signifies that you have the essential skills to be an active crew member and can handle and sail a yacht or motor cruiser under supervision.

Taking the Helm

Day skipper shorebased (sail and motor).

This theory course is best if you have some basic understanding of navigation (like from the Essential Navigation and Seamanship course) and some practical experience (like from the Competent Crew or Helmsman course). However, it does start from the basics so it could be taken with no prior knowledge.

The Day Skipper Shorebased certificate will authenticate your understanding of basic navigation, meteorology, and seamanship theory, preparing you for skippering a yacht in familiar waters. With the Day Skipper Practical certificate it not only provides you with a licence which can be used to charter vessels or skipper vessel abroad, but will also automatically entitle you to an ICC (International Certificate of Competence).

Day Skipper Practical (Sail and Motor)

You’ll need to have completed the Day Skipper Shorebased course or have equivalent knowledge before enrolling in this course.

With the Day Skipper Practical certificate, you can confidently skipper a small yacht or motor cruiser in familiar waters by day. Moreover, it allows you to skipper in most countries around the world, charter vessels, and combined with the theory course it qualifies you to apply for an International Certificate of Competence (ICC), often required for bareboat charter in Mediterranean countries.

Why not take the first step to being the captain of your own vessel? We offer a free trial of our Day Skipper Shorebased course! Sign up today and start your journey to mastering the seas.

Advanced Navigation and Skippering

Coastal skipper and yachtmaster offshore theory (sail and motor).

This advanced theory course is designed for those with Day Skipper level knowledge.

By gaining the Coastal Skipper and Yachtmaster Offshore Theory certificate, you confirm your in-depth theoretical knowledge, preparing you for more challenging coastal and offshore passages.

Aspiring for a prestigious maritime career or just want to explore the thrill of extensive offshore sailing? Our Yachtmaster Offshore Theory course is just the stepping stone for you! Don’t miss the chance to experience a free trial of this course. Dive into this unparalleled learning experience today!

Coastal Skipper Practical (Sail and Motor)

Having completed the Coastal Skipper and Yachtmaster Offshore Theory course, or having equivalent knowledge, is a prerequisite for this practical course, along with 15 days at sea including 300 miles, 8 night hours, and 2 days as skipper.

As a holder of the Coastal Skipper Practical certificate, you can skillfully skipper a yacht or motor cruiser on coastal passages, navigating by day or night, and handling the vessel in various weather conditions. This also provides an upgraded licence to the Day Skipper.

Expert Level Certificates

Yachtmaster coastal certificate of competence (sail and motor).

To qualify for this examination, you must have considerable experience as a skipper, along with 30 days at sea including 800 miles, 12 night hours, and 2 days as skipper.

With the Yachtmaster Coastal Certificate of Competence, you can confidently skipper a yacht or motor cruiser on passages up to 60 nautical miles from a safe haven. This certificate is recognized by many maritime authorities worldwide and is often used professionally.

Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate of Competence (Sail and Motor)

To reach for this prestigious certificate, you need extensive skippering experience, including significant time offshore, along with 50 days at sea including 2,500 miles, and 5 days as skipper.

This globally recognized Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate of Competence empowers you to skipper a yacht or motor cruiser for passages of any length, up to 150 nautical miles from shore, anywhere in the world. It is most often required for professional work on yachts.

Master of the Seas

Yachtmaster ocean theory (sail and motor).

For those aiming for the pinnacle of maritime qualifications, this theory course requires a strong base of skippering and navigation experience.

The Yachtmaster Ocean Theory certificate certifies your understanding of global passage planning and celestial navigation.

Yachtmaster Ocean Certificate of Competence (Sail and Motor)

This exam necessitates substantial ocean-passage experience as a skipper or mate, and a Yachtmaster Offshore certificate.

The Yachtmaster Ocean Certificate of Competence signifies that you are competent to make ocean passages as a skipper or mate, a recognition that carries significant prestige and is recognized globally.

The RYA cruising scheme provides a clear pathway for anyone looking to step into the world of boating. Every certificate gained along the way is a testament to your abilities and dedication. Whether you’re an enthusiast seeking personal growth or someone pursuing a career in maritime, these RYA courses will help you navigate your course to success.

For more personalised advice or further information, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us. Our experienced advisors are more than happy to guide you in choosing the right course for your maritime dreams.

Happy sailing!

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RYA Yachtmaster Scheme MCA Examinations / Certificates of Competence

Introduction

These sailing qualifications are recognised around the world as a clear mark of your sailing ability. Unlike a Day Skipper or Coastal Skippers Certificate there is no RYA Course or Syllabus to follow. Simply they are a test of your sailing ability conducted by an examiner, authorised to do so by the RYA.

Sailing Schools offer a preparation course running straight into the exam both of which normally run over a period of 7 days. It should be noted that these course are designed for you to brush up on some specific skills and areas of the exam that you will be tested on and not teach you how to sail. So you should have all the necessary experience prior to joining the course and be a confident sailor.

For some, Yachtmaster exams are taken just for a sense of achievement and offer a way of improving your sailing knowledge and techniques. For others wishing to embark on a career in the marine industry they are essential qualifications to achieve.

In this article we take a look at

• The RYA Yachtmaster Scheme
• Benefits of taking a 5 Day Preparation Course

Pre Exam Requirements

• Exam duration
• Converting between Sail & Power
• Working Commercially

Qualifications within the RYA Yachtmaster Scheme

Yachtmaster Coastal

Yachtmaster Offshore

Yachtmaster Ocean

Definitions

RYA Yachtmaster Coastal Skipper : Not to be confused with the Coastal Skipper course completion certificate, the Yachtmaster Coastal is the first of the Yachtmaster Scheme qualifications.

At this level you are deemed to have the knowledge needed to skipper a yacht on coastal cruises but not necessarily the experience needed to undertake longer passages.

During the exam you will be set tasks to demonstrate your ability to skipper a yacht and may be asked questions on all aspects of the RYA Cruising Scheme from Competent Crew to Coastal Skipper.

RYA Yachtmaster Offshore : The most widely recognised qualification and anyone holding this certificate is deemed to be competent to skipper a cruising yacht on longer passages but not more than 150 nm from harbour.

The examiner will be set tasks to test your ability as skipper of an offshore cruising yacht and you will be asked questions on any part of the syllabus for all courses except the Yachtmaster Ocean.

RYA Yachtmaster Ocean : Considered as the pinnacle within the sailing world and commonly taken by those seeking a career in the marine industry. You have sufficient experience to skipper a yacht on passages of any length in all parts of the world.

The exam consists of a written and oral test of your knowledge of ocean passage making including planning, navigation, worldwide meteorology, crew management, yacht preparation, maintenance and repairs. You will also be questioned on your sights taken at sea during an ocean passage.

RYA Yachtmaster Scheme

Certificates awarded within the RYA Cruising Scheme, such as the Day Skipper or Coastal Skipper are awarded by your instructor at the end of your course on the basis of continual assessment assuming you can demonstrate your abilities for the level you are at. There is a set syllabus and the courses are intended to teach you how to sail as well as improve your sailing skills.

MCA/RYA Certificates of Competence are awarded after a short practical assessment by independent examiners. They are designed to test your ability to skipper a yacht and are some of the most widely recognised and credible yachting qualifications available.

The RYA oversees the Yachtmaster Scheme on behalf of the MCA. Carefully chosen Yachtmaster examiners will assess both your sailing and skippering abilities.

Whilst Sailing Schools run a 5-day preparation course in advance of your examination aimed to bring you up to speed and prepare you for your exam. It is assumed that you already have the knowledge and the sailing skills required for the level you are being examined for.

Just like the RYA Cruising Scheme, you can join the Yachtmaster Scheme at any stage. You do not need to have completed any of the shore-based courses and nor do you need to complete a preparation course before taking your exam.

So if you are confident enough and sufficiently well prepared you can simply book an examiner through the RYA and take the test on your own yacht or one that you have chartered in.

However, most people appreciate that by taking a 5-day preparation course in advance of your exam will significantly increase your chances of passing.

Reasons for taking a Yachtmaster Prep Course

The whole purpose of a Yachtmaster Prep course is to prepare you for your exam and be challenged by an instructor who understands what an examiner is looking for. To find areas where you are weakest and allow you the opportunity to practice and develop your skills.

It is an advanced and intensive course and certainly no holiday and whilst you may be an experienced yachts person it is not often that you will practice the following

• Advanced skippering techniques
• Close quarter berthing in various and challenging conditions of wind and tide
• Picking up a buoy under sail
• Weighing or lowering anchor under sail
• Boat handling in confined areas under sail
• Man overboard recovery techniques
• Advanced Navigation
• Blind Navigation

The course is largely a practical course and designed to hone your sailing and boat handling skills. Whilst you will cover certain areas of theoretical knowledge it is important that you are fully up to speed with regards to the following before attending the course.

• International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea
• Meteorology

By attending a course you will undoubtedly learn a new set of skills and it will importantly get you into the mindset so that you are fully prepared to take the exam.

Format of the Course & What to Expect

Courses run for 5 days starting on a Friday evening. The exam follows immediately after the course and can run for up to 48 hours depending on the level and number of candidates.

We restrict the number of students down to a maximum of 4 persons to give everyone as much practical hands-on time as possible. The courses are run on board one of our 36 – 39-foot sailing yachts which are based in Mercury Yacht Harbour on the River Hamble. The courses are run within the Solent where you can practice navigation, pilotage and boat handling in a whole different range of different tidal and weather conditions. Ultimately there is little benefit in sailing in a straight line so it is highly unlikely you will venture out of the Solent opting to focus more on the entering and exiting as many ports as possible.

The first evening is all about getting to know the other students and your skipper. It is unlikely that you will leave the marina that night but you will cover certain safety briefings so as to maximise the available time the following day.

During the next 5 days, you will hop from port to port within the Solent. You will live onboard for the full five days, each of you will take it in turns to be the skipper of the day and take responsibility for the crew and general running of the yacht.

Whilst there is no set syllabus to follow there are certain standard areas that the instructor will cover in order to prepare you for the exam. The rest of the course, however, is up to you and everyone else on board to determine based on areas of weakness and what needs to be practised.

You will focus on areas of boat and sail handling and be encouraged to push yourself outside of your comfort zone so as to build up your confidence prior to the exam.

We aim to end the course mid-afternoon on Wednesday so that you have some downtime to relax and calm any nerves prior to the examiner joining on Wednesday evening.

Format & Nature of the Exam

If you are booking a Yachtmaster Preparation course through a Sailing School then the School will arrange an examiner for you.

You will be required to prepare a passage plan for a fictitious sailing trip in advance of the examiner joining the yacht. You will be asked to do this under exam conditions and without the assistance of your instructor or other students. The examiner will give your instructor basic details of a trip from which you will need to create a detailed passage plan. This will get collected by your examiner at the beginning of your exam and be expected to answer questions on the reasoning of your passage plan during the course of your exam !!

It is highly likely that your examiner will want to set off straight away in order to carry out part of the assessment which will take place at night, so be prepared !! The examiner will nominate one person, in turn, to act as skipper and to take responsibility for the yacht. And whilst the obvious pressure will be on this person, at the same time the examiner will be quizzing and watching everyone else to see how you all behave and interact onboard.

You will moor up or anchor somewhere for a few hours overnight before continuing with the assessment the next day. But don’t forget that you are being continually assessed so stay on your guard at all times.

Whilst this is naturally a pressured environment the examiner is there to find out what you know and ultimately wants you to pass. They will do all they can to relax and encourage you to demonstrate that you have the right abilities to pass, so relax and try to act as normally as you can.

Depending on the number of candidates the exam can take anything up to 48 hours. At the end of the exam, you will be told immediately whether you have been successful or not.

Exam Fees are normally payable directly to the examiner and in addition to the course fee charged by the sailing school.

Yachtmaster Offshore Exam Fee – £210 Yachtmaster Coastal Exam Fee – £181

Min Age… 17 years

Sea time…

• 800 miles logged within 10 years of the exam
• 30 days living onboard
• 2 Days as Skipper
• 12 Night Hours

Certificates…

• Radio Operators Licence
• Valid First Aid Certificate

For holders of the Coastal Skipper Practical Course Completion Certificate the sea time is reduced to

• 20 days living onboard
• 12 night hours
• 2 days as skipper

Half the qualifying miles must have conducted in tidal waters

Min Age… 18 years

• 2,500 miles logged within 10 years of the exam
• 50 days living onboard

5 Passages over 60 miles

• 2 of these passages as Skipper

2 of these passages having involved sailing overnight 5 Days experience as skipper

All candidates must

Hold a RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate of Competence

Have completed, as skipper or mate of a yacht a qualifying passage which meets the following criteria

a) Candidate fully involved in the planning of the passage, including selection of the route, the navigation plan, checking the material condition of the yacht and her equipment, storing with spare gear, water and victuals and organising the watch keeping routine.

b) During the passage a minimum join stop distance of 600 miles must have been run by the log, the yacht must have been at sea continuously for at least 96 hours and the yacht must have been more than 50 miles from land while sailing a distance of at least 200 miles.

c) Hold First Aid qualification as for Yachtmaster Offshore

Exam Duration

The exam will take about 6 to 10 hours for one candidate and 8 – 14 hours for two.

The exam will take about 8 to 12 hours for one candidate and 10 – 18 hours for two.

The exam consists of a written and oral test.

Own Boat Exams

As well as saving money, if you own your own boat then it is logical that you would prefer to be examined on a yacht that is familiar to you.

There are a few requirements

• Not less than 7 meters
• Sound & Seaworthy Condition
• Equipped to standards set out in the RYA book Cruising Yacht Safety C8
• Up to date charts and navigational publications
• Efficiently crewed as the examiner will not take part in the management of the yacht during the exam

To book an exam simply contact the RYA.

Converting between Sail and Power

Holders of a Yachtmaster Coastal or Yachtmaster Offshore certificate may take a conversion exam from sail to power or power to sail. Please note that the exam for converting from power to sail may take slightly longer.

The exam will take about 3 hours and you may be asked on any aspects of the syllabus but will concentrate on those section which are notably different between sailing vessels and power boats.

Mileage must be in the type of vessel you are converting to and must be within 10 years prior to the exam. Half of the qualifying sea time must have been conducted in tidal waters.

Yachtmaster Coastal Conversion Exams

• Minimum 400 miles
• 12 Days living onboard

Yachtmaster Offshore Conversion Exams

• Minimum 1250 miles
• 25 Days living onboard
• 3 Days as Skipper
• 3 Passages over 60 miles including 1 overnight and 1 as Skipper

Commercial Endorsements

If you are planning on working commercially then the use of Yachtmaster Coastal, Yachtmaster Offshore and Yachtmaster Ocean certificates is permitted for the skippers of these vessels provided that the certificates are commercially endorsed. Commercial endorsements are valid for 5 years.

How to obtain a Commercial Endorsement

You will need to send your Yachtmasters Certificate to the RYA with the following

• Medical Fitness Certificate – Link to Medical Fitness Form
• Attend a sea survival course

STCW Endorsements

Standard of Training and Certification of Watchkeepers

For larger vessels and for certain administrations you may be required to hold an STCW 95 endorsement. It is commonly required if you are working outside of the UK on non UK flagged vessels.

You will be required to attend 4 courses

• STCW Personal Survival techniques
• STCW Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities
• STCW Elementary First Aid
• STCW Fire Fighting and Fire Prevention

Renewing your STCW Endorsement can be achieved by sending the following to the RYA

• A covering letter requesting the STCW endorsement
• Your original Certificate
• New Passport Photograph
• Evidence of completion of the STCW course
• Fee payable to the RYA

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• Professional qualifications

Gaining commercial endorsements

Find out which certificates can be endorsed and how to apply, what is a 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.

A number of additional training courses and medical fitness certificates are required to be eligible for a commercial endorsement.

For Sail Cruising and Yachtmaster Instructors who only work in Australia, or holders of a Yachtmaster Sail CoC who require an AMSA endorsement to evidence eligibility for the AMSA Sailing Master CoC, read our guidance on Australia endorsements .

Which certificates can be commercially endorsed?

The following certificates can receive the standard commercial endorsement

Course completion certificates: 

• RYA Level 2 Powerboat Handling Certificate
• RYA Advanced Powerboat Certificate (only if issued before 1 January 2005)         
• RYA Day Skipper practical course completion certificate supported by a Day Skipper shorebased course completion certificate. The Day Skipper shorebased course may be undertaken online or in the classroom. In either case, the exams must be invigilated.

Certificates of competence:

• RYA Advanced Powerboat Certificate of Competence
• RYA Yachtmaster Coastal Certificate of Competence
• RYA Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate of Competence
• RYA Yachtmaster Ocean Certificate of Competence  

In addition, the RYA Yachtmaster Offshore and Yachtmaster Ocean Certificates of Competence can receive the STCW endorsement .

Which certificate do I need?

The MCA's codes of practice categorise British flagged commercial yachts according to the type of yacht and the waters in which they operate. It is this categorisation that determines which of the above certificates you will need. See the MCA's table of manning requirements.

The RYA is a certifying authority for the codes of practice and can give advice on the coding and categorisation of commercial yachts.

Find out more about the Requirements for commercial craft . 

How do I apply for a standard commercial endorsement?

Send the following items to RYA Certification, RYA House, Ensign Way, Hamble, Hampshire SO31 4YA:

• Your original certificate - see list above
• Your Professional Practices and Responsibilities certificate
• A commercial endorsement application form   
• Your original, completed ML5 Medical Report form or ENG1 medical fitness form a photocopy of your ML5 if version MSF 4112 REV 02/23 or ENG1 Medical will be accepted*
• A copy of your RYA Basic Sea Survival certificate or STCW Personal Survival Techniques
• A copy of your RYA Marine Radio SRC Certificate or other acceptable GMDSS Marine Radio Operator's Certificate.
• A passport sized photo with your name on the back
• The application fee.

*We can only accept the latest version of the ML5 form (currently MSF 4112 / Rev 02/23). Skippers working in category 1 or 0 waters will need the ENG1 medical. A list of approved doctors can be found at the Maritime and Coastguard Agency .

Medical referrals

If your Doctor has entered any “Yes ticks” on your ML5 Medical Report form then your ML5 Medical will need to be referred onto the MCA to be reviewed and you will be required to complete Part D the Medical Review on page 12/16 of your ML5 Medical to provide the RYA with additional information to submit to the MCA. The MCA will not be able to give a decision on the issue of your Commercial endorsement if this section is not completed in full. The MCA will not accept any ML5 Medicals which are more than one year old.

If you are issued with a restricted ENG1 or ML5 Certificate of Medical Fitness, then your RYA Commercial endorsement will also be issued with restrictions. If you are considering a seagoing career the RYA and Maritime and Coastguard Agency strongly advise that you undergo a medical or sight test, which includes testing of colour and visual acuity, before starting training.

Restrictions on a ENG1 certificate will prevent you gaining STCW qualifications for vessels greater than 24m in length.

Professional Practices and Responsibilities course

Since April 2012 it has been a requirement for commercial endorsement holders to take the online Professional Practices and Responsibilities course (PPR).

All new applicants for the endorsement must take the course prior to submitting their application.

Existing commercial endorsement holders who gained their endorsement prior to April 2012 will be required to take the course prior to their next revalidation.

Find out more about PPR .

Re-validating your commercial endorsement

All commercial endorsements must be revalidated every five years by proving at least 150 days of actual sea service on appropriate vessels during the previous five years and be in possession of a valid medical fitness certificate. 

If you are unable to prove the requisite sea service but are able to demonstrate that during at least half of the five-year period you have been employed on duties closely associated with the management and operation of one or more of the appropriate types of vessels, you may have your certificate considered for revalidation. 

Validity of Commercial endorsements will be from date of processing for a maximum of 5 years.

Download the re-validation form .

Related resources

Commercial endorsement application form

Commercial endorsement e-validation form

MCA Medical Form

MCA Manning Requirements

STCW endorsement 

Australia endorsements  

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Ocean Passage For RYA Yachtmaster Ocean Certificate of Competence

There are three steps to attaining your RYA Yachtmaster Ocean Certificate of Competence:

• Complete the RYA Yachtmaster Ocean theory course.
• Undertake an ocean passage (non-stop over 600 nm) and take sights.
• Attend an RYA Yachtmaster Ocean examination at Grenada Bluewater Sailing.

A person holding a Yachtmaster Ocean qualification is experienced and competent to skipper a yacht on passages of any length in all parts of the world – RYA

RYA Yachtmaster Ocean Theory & Exams

We offer the RYA Yachtmaster Ocean theory course and final exams right here in Grenada. If you take the challenge and set sail on one of our qualifying ocean passages then we will schedule your Yachtmaster Ocean theory course prior to your departure and your final exam for when you return.

Read more about the RYA Yachtmaster Ocean theory course and final exams on our blog which takes an in-depth look at the prerequisites and course content.

Qualifying Ocean Passages

Chao Lay is our RYA inspected and accredited training vessel. An extremely well-kept Beneteau Oceanis 461, she is the perfect boat for ocean passages. Chao Lay is Thai for “Sea Gypsy” – she lives up to her name as a solid blue water cruiser with spacious, modern amenities ideal for offshore sailing.

Upcoming RYA Yachtmaster Ocean Training/Exams:

03/06/18-07/06/18: RYA Yachtmaster Coastal/Offshore Theory Course – 5 days shore based – USD 650.00

08/06/18: RYA First Aid Course – 1 day shore based – USD 150.00

09/06/18: RYA VHF SRC Online Theory Course (pre study) & 2 hour final exam – USD 200.00

10/06/18-15/06/18: Yachtmaster Coastal/Offshore Preparation Course & Final RYA Examination – 4 days preparation course and 2 days of exams – USD 1100.00

RYA Exam Fee – USD 295.00

Share of Examiner’s Expenses – USD 100.00

16/06/18-20/06/18: RYA Yachtmaster Ocean Theory Course – USD 650.00

21/06/18-27/06/18: Yachtmaster Ocean 600 mile qualifying passage 7 days/6 nights – USD 1500.00

28/06/18: RYA Yachtmaster Ocean Final Examinations – USD 320.00

Take your sailing to the next level on an ocean passage – Contact us TODAY!

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Yachtmaster Courses Majorca

Yachtmaster Courses – updated 15 February 2023.

If you are looking to take your sailing skills to the highest level, the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) Yachtmaster courses in Majorca are an excellent option. These courses are designed to give sailors the skills and knowledge they need to become competent, confident skippers who can handle a yacht in all conditions.

This qualification is a highly prized certificate of competence proving the ability of the holder to handle either a motorboat or sailing boat in certain prescribed conditions.

• RYA Yachtmaster courses

There are several RYA Yachtmaster courses available in Majorca, each designed for sailors at different stages of their sailing career.

RYA Yachtmaster Coastal – This is the first step towards becoming a Yachtmaster. This course is designed for sailors who have completed their Day Skipper certification and are looking to take their skills to the next level. The course covers advanced navigation and seamanship, including night sailing and coastal navigation. You will also learn about boat handling and crew management in more challenging conditions.

RYA Yachtmaster Offshore – This course is designed for sailors who have completed their Coastal Skipper certification and are ready to tackle more challenging offshore sailing. The course covers advanced navigation and seamanship, including passage planning, offshore navigation, and weather forecasting. You will also learn about crew management and watch-keeping in challenging offshore conditions.

RYA Yachtmaster Ocean – This is the most advanced RYA Yachtmaster course and is designed for sailors who want to become competent navigators capable of sailing across oceans. This course covers advanced celestial navigation and passage planning, as well as emergency procedures and equipment. You will also learn about ocean currents, weather patterns, and the impact of the environment on navigation.

The RYA Yachtmaster courses in Majorca are delivered by experienced and qualified instructors who will provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to become a competent, confident skipper. The courses are designed to be challenging, but also fun and enjoyable, with plenty of time on the water to put theory into practice.

RYA Training

RYA Training is carried out in more than 20 countries and currently there are around 13,000 professionals working as yacht crew on commercial vessels around the world using RYA Certificates of Competence.

Deck Officer career

When commercially endorsed, Yachtmaster licences provide significant privileges and for many sailors, the Yachtmaster Offshore or Ocean Certificate of Competence are the ultimate aim and a required step on the way to a Deck Officer career.

Unlike other courses in the cruising programme, there is no formal training to complete in order to become a Yachtmaster. Instead, provided that you have sufficient experience and sea time, you can put yourself forward for an exam to test your skills and knowledge. If you have not previously undertaken any formal training, it is unlikely that you will pass the exam.

The pre-course experience includes two days as a skipper, 800 miles and 12 night hours. Students will also need valid VHF and (RYA) First Aid certificates .

Offshore exam preparation

The RYA Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate of Competence is a highly regarded worldwide qualification proving the experience and competence of a skipper. Sufficient experience and sea time form the eligibility criteria for taking the Yachtmaster exam. The Yachtmaster offshore sail exam preparation week provides five days practical boat handling and revision of the theory with all aspects of the examination organised. This is an intensive course which will challenge you by sailing onto and off marina pontoons and mooring buoys, sail trim for simulated engine and steering failures, man overboard, blind navigation, mooring up in tight spots and anchoring under sail.

Conversion courses

Holders of the Yachtmaster Coastal or Yachtmaster Offshore sail Certificate of Competence may take a practical conversion exam to obtain the equivalent power certificate of competence. Candidates may also convert from power to sail. The same rules apply whether you are converting from sail to power, or from power to sail, but the practical exam for converting from power to sail may take slightly longer.

Working with an RYA Yachtmaster® Coastal certificate

A commercially endorsed Yachtmaster Coastal Certificate of Competence will enable you to skipper vessels up to 24 metres in length, operating in category 3,4,5, and 6 waters – up to 20 miles from a safe haven.

Working with an RYA Yachtmaster® Offshore certificate

A commercially endorsed Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate of Competence will enable you to work as a Master of commercial vessels of up to 200gt in category 1 to 6 waters – that is up to 150 miles from a safe haven.

This Certificate of Competence can used commercially in its own right, or as a pre-requisite for the MCA’s Officer of the Watch qualification, which enables you to work worldwide on vessels of up to 3000gt.

Working with an RYA Yachtmaster® Ocean certificate

A commercially endorsed Yachtmaster Ocean Certificate of Competence will enable you to work worldwide as a Master of commercial vessels of up to 200gt.

This Certificate of Competence can be used commercially in its own right. It is also a pre-requisite for the MCA’s Chief Mate, Master 500 and Master 3000 qualifications.

What is a 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.

A number of additional training courses and medical fitness certificates are required to be eligible for a commercial endorsement.

In conclusion, the RYA Yachtmaster courses in Majorca are an excellent option for sailors who want to take their sailing skills to the highest level. Whether you are looking to become a competent coastal skipper or an experienced ocean navigator, there is a course to suit your needs. So why not take the plunge and enroll in an RYA Yachtmaster course today? You won’t regret it.

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The International Certificate of Competence - ICC

Our Principal, Peter Ellis explains...

• Training Guide

ICC - International Certificate of Competence Explained

We are increasingly being asked about what qualifications are needed when you charter or go on flotilla holidays in Europe. Turkey, Greece and Croatia are particularly popular sailing holiday destinations and over the last few years, they have all generally got more stringent in their demands for skippers of all vessels to hold certificates which indicate levels of competence.

The type of certificate you need to hold varies from country to country. A full STCW Certificate, which by international agreement sets the Standard of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping among professional seafarers is generally accepted, but this is a very high level qualification which is seldom held by leisure sailors.

When you charter overseas the yacht will not normally be UK flagged, and if this is the case, then you will need to hold a certificate which is accepted by the country in which you are sailing. Surprisingly, Royal Yachting Association (RYA) qualifications such as Day Skipper, Coastal Skipper and even Yachtmaster are not usually accepted on their own. Most often you will be asked to provide an International Certificate of Competence, or ICC as it is commonly called. Our best advice is to check with the charter / holiday company before you book and obtain written confirmation of what sailing certificate or licence will be required when you are on holiday.

International Certificate of Competence

The International Certificate of Competence (ICC), or more correctly the International Certificate for Operators of Pleasure Craft is fast becoming the accepted qualification for leisure sailors in most European countries. Contrary to popular belief, the ICC is not of EU origin and isn’t the boating equivalent of the EU driving licence for road vehicles, which all EU member states are obliged to accept. It was originally created to allow pleasure navigation along the rivers Rhine and Danube and was adopted by The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) Inland Transport Committee Working Party on Inland Water Transport (A bit of a mouthful!). Its primary aim was to standarise the qualification needed to navigate these two great rivers, which pass through a number of countries; each of which had its own certification requirements.

How to get your International Certificate of Competence (ICC)

 eligibility for icc.

There are two main criteria for getting your ICC, these are your nationality and level of competence.

Nationality

 The RYA issues ICCs in the UK in accordance UNECE eligibility criteria. Applicants should be aged over 16 and be one of the folllowing;

• British National or Resident
• National of a non-UNECE County
• National of United States or Canada
• National of Australia or New Zealand
• Evidence of Competence

 You can be issued an ICC directly if you already hold one of the following RYA certificates;

• Powerboat level 2
• RYA Day Skipper
• RYA Coastal Skipper
• RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Coastal
• RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Offshore
• RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Ocean

Send in a completed ICC application form with a copy of your certificate, a passport sized photograph and £45 (free if you are an RYA member) to the RYA and you’ll get your ICC back within a couple of weeks. If you are in a hurry, a Fastrack service is available priced at £75 for non members but cheaper if you are a member of the RYA.

If you are an experienced skipper but you don’t hold any of these certificates, then you can gain your ICC by attending an assessment. If you have your own boat, or charter one, then we can arrange for an assessor to come along and test you with up to 3 other people onboard. Alternatively you might want to consider attending a BOSS ICC weekend on board a school boat. This will include brush up training and revision of the skills required before taking the assessment. Full details of eligibility and whats involved in the test can be found on the application form and this can be downloaded from our ICC Page .

Yacht e No1 2018

This month - New Website Launch, Boat Handling, Online VHF course and How to get your ICC

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Kuznetski Most area in Moscow

Kuznetski Most is a small area between Tverskaya street, Kremlin, and Kitai Gorod (Lubyanka) and it's a downtown of Moscow. First of all, 'Kuznya' is a great place to walk: it is a real Moscow area, not a postcard at all, hectic busy streets neighbour tranquil lanes and courtyards with traditional architecture. There are also many very nice cafes, restaurants, clubs, and shops. If you want a cool place to meet people, go for a walk and to get the real feeling of the city, check out this area.

Long time ago there were only half-broken low wooden houses in Kuznetski Most area, and it was the place where poor blacksmithes lived. Blacksmith is 'Kuznets' in Russia, hence the name. In the beginning of the street (on top) there was a bridge over a small river, later this river was put underground, so there's no bridge anymore. About 200 years ago there was a rich Moscovitan noble buying this area. He immediately put away all the blacksmiths' houses and started to build a fancy new district. Just in few years he built up beautiful houses, with impressive ornaments, rich decoration, pools in the courtyards. Also, he opened some French boutiques in the area. That's when Kuznetski Most started to become fashionable. In a short time all the elite moved to this  area, and those who wasn't so fast were coming here to make some shopping and to sit in many of the restaurants and cafes around.  In the 20th century, when the communist times arrived, most of the buildings were given to government offices, some were given to soviet shops. The area became boring, the architecture was slowly deteriorating , but nobody seemed to care. In the beginning of the 90s  the area was revived again: the buildings were  restored , there was many new cafes being opened, boutiques, and shops. One important landmark of Kuznetsky Most is that it's home to FSB (Federal Security Bureau - former KGB) offices, and if you walk along Kuznetsky Most street you can get to the FSB reception, which is open 24 hours (in case you have something to report).  

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Official Mandarin Chinese Language Proficiency Exams - The Rough Guide

Explore the recognized mandarin chinese proficiency language exams, such as hsk, hskk, yct, bct, and c.test., introduction.

Mandarin Chinese, with its global influence and growing importance, has spurred the development of recognized proficiency language exams. These exams serve as benchmarks for evaluating individuals' Mandarin language skills and are widely recognized by educational institutions, employers, and language learners worldwide. In this post, we will explore some of the most recognized Mandarin proficiency language exams, highlighting their structure, levels, and significance.

HSK (Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi):

The HSK, developed by Hanban, is the most widely recognized Mandarin proficiency exam. It assesses non-native speakers' abilities in listening, reading, and writing. The exam is divided into six levels, ranging from HSK 1 (basic proficiency) to HSK 6 (advanced proficiency). The HSK certificate serves as proof of Mandarin proficiency and is recognized by numerous Chinese universities, scholarship programs, and employers.

HSKK (Hanyu Shuiping Kouyu Kaoshi):

The HSKK focuses solely on assessing oral proficiency in Mandarin Chinese. It evaluates the test-takers' ability to speak and understand spoken Chinese. The exam consists of three levels: Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced. The HSKK certificate is valuable for individuals seeking to demonstrate their Mandarin speaking skills for academic purposes or employment opportunities.

YCT (Youth Chinese Test):

The YCT is designed for young learners under the age of 15 who are non-native speakers of Mandarin Chinese. It assesses their proficiency in listening, reading, and writing. The YCT has four levels, ranging from YCT 1 (basic) to YCT 4 (advanced). This exam is widely used in educational settings to evaluate the Mandarin language skills of young learners.

BCT (Business Chinese Test):

The BCT evaluates Mandarin language proficiency required for business and workplace contexts. It assesses listening, reading, speaking, and writing skills specifically related to business communication. The BCT has three levels: BCT (A), BCT (B), and BCT (oral). Many organizations and employers recognize the BCT certificate as evidence of Mandarin proficiency in a business setting.

C.TEST (Chinese Test):

The C.TEST, developed by Hanban, is a comprehensive Mandarin proficiency exam. It evaluates listening, reading, writing, and translation skills. The C.TEST is commonly used by educational institutions and employers to assess candidates' Mandarin language abilities. It offers different levels, providing a reliable evaluation of proficiency in Mandarin Chinese.

Where to Take Official Mandarin Exams

Official Mandarin Chinese exams, such as the HSK (Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi), HSKK (Hanyu Shuiping Kouyu Kaoshi), YCT (Youth Chinese Test), BCT (Business Chinese Test), and C.TEST (Chinese Test), can be taken at authorized testing centers worldwide. Here are some common options for taking these exams:

• Confucius Institutes: Confucius Institutes, established by Hanban (the Office of Chinese Language Council International), are dedicated to promoting Chinese language and culture globally. Many Confucius Institutes offer official Mandarin Chinese exams, including the HSK and other related exams. You can check if there is a Confucius Institute near you and inquire about exam registration and testing schedules.
• Confucius Classrooms: Confucius Classrooms are educational institutions that collaborate with Confucius Institutes to provide Chinese language and cultural programs. Some Confucius Classrooms also offer official Mandarin Chinese exams. Check if there are any Confucius Classrooms in your region and inquire about exam availability.
• Approved Test Centers: Apart from Confucius Institutes and Confucius Classrooms, there are other approved test centers that administer official Mandarin Chinese exams. These centers may include universities, language schools, or educational institutions that have been authorized to conduct these exams. You can search online for approved test centers in your area or contact local language learning institutions for information.
• Online Exams: In certain cases, online exams may be available for specific levels or sections of the official Mandarin Chinese exams. Online exams provide flexibility and convenience, allowing candidates to take the exams remotely. Check the official websites of the respective exams to see if online exam options are available and the specific requirements for online testing.

It's important to note that exam availability, registration procedures, and testing schedules may vary depending on your location. To ensure accurate and up-to-date information, visit the official websites of the respective exams, such as the Hanban website for the HSK and HSKK exams, or consult with local institutions that offer Mandarin language programs and certification. They can guide you on the specific procedures, requirements, and exam dates in your area.

These recognized Mandarin proficiency language exams play a vital role in language learning and proficiency evaluation. They offer standardized assessments and certification, allowing individuals to showcase their Mandarin language skills and enhance their academic and career prospects. By successfully completing these exams, individuals can demonstrate their commitment to mastering Mandarin Chinese, enhancing their competitiveness in academic applications, scholarship opportunities, job applications, and international exchanges. Moreover, these exams contribute to the standardization of Mandarin language education and promote a globally recognized measure of proficiency.

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