RYA Yachtmaster Offshore Preparation & Exam

The RYA Yachtmaster Offshore is suitable for the more advanced skippers who have a practical ability to RYA Coastal level plus a knowledge of navigation, meteorology, collision regulations, safety and passage planning up to RYA Coastal Skipper / Yachtmaster shore based standard.

This preparation course is designed for those who wish to take the RYA / MCA Yachtmaster Offshore exam. The course gives potential candidates the opportunity to thoroughly revise both practical and theoretical subjects. You will spend five days onboard the yacht with one of our fully qualified professional RYA Yachtmaster instructors prior to taking the RYA / MCA Yachtmaster Offshore examination.

Sailing will be in local waters and the instructor will tailor the course to your needs but in our experience this will often include: passage planning, skippering techniques, man-overboard recovery, meteorology, close quarters boat handling and pilotage in restricted visibility.

We would recommend you arrive for the course already having a thorough knowledge of the IRPCS Collision Regulations particularly in relation to lights, shapes and signals. The successful Yachtmaster Offshore candidate is an experienced yachtsman who has a theoretical knowledge to the level of the RYA Yachtmaster shore based course and will be able to skipper a cruising yacht on passages up to 60 miles from port. The RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate of Competency is acknowledged throughout the World as the top sailing qualification.

Pre-course experience: 50 days on board sailing yachts over 24 feet, 5 non-stop passages over 60 Nautical miles (2 of which you must have skippered), 2500 miles, 5 days as skipper and 12 night hours
Minimum course duration: 5 days
Minimum age: 17

You should possess a theoretical knowledge to the level of the RYA Yachtmaster shore based course and hold an in date First Aid certificate (valid for three years from date of issue) and hold a VHF licence or Short Range Certificate – SRC

All of our courses have a maximum number of three candidates on board so to ensure you receive a high level of support and tuition. Our courses also include moorings, fuel, catering including the first evening plus loan of wet weather clothing.