Yachtmaster

Yachtmaster Coastal & Offshore Exams

A Yachtmaster Coastal has the knowledge needed to skipper a yacht on coastal cruises but does not necessarily have the experience needed to undertake longer passages.

The Yachtmaster Offshore is competent to skipper a cruising yacht on any passage during which the yacht is no more than 150m from harbour.

Full details of the exam syllabus and requirements are shown in the RYA's Sail Cruising Logbook (code G15) & on their website www.rya.org.uk.

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. Candidates will be set tasks to demonstrate their ability and may also be asked questions on any part of the syllabus for all practical and shore based courses up to Yachtmaster Coastal  or Offshore level. The examiner will not take part in the management of the boat during the exam.

Before you book your exam you should have completed the following;
1. Completed the required mileage and experience as skipper
2. Hold a VHF Radio Operators License or Short Range Certificate
3. Hold a valid first aid certificate
4. Have read the syllabus in RYA publications; G15 (sail)
5. Have read and comply with the pre-requisites above.

If you need a Yachtmaster Certificate of Competence in order to work on board a commercial craft subject the MCA's codes of practice, you will need to get your certificate commercially endorsed (at extra cost see price list). You can then work on commercial vessels up to 24m in length, operating in category 3, 4, 5 and 6 waters - that is up to 20 miles from a nominated departure point in fine weather and daylight.

Yachtmaster Coastal exam pre-requisites - Minimum age 17

Minimum seatime: 30 days, 2 days as skipper, 800 miles (at least half in tidal waters), 12 night hours (if you hold the Coastal Skipper course certificate this is reduced to 20 days, 2 days as skipper, 400 miles, 12 night hours).

Yachtmaster Offshore exam pre-requisites - Minimum age 18

Minimum seatime within the last 10 years: 50 days, 2500 miles (at least half in tidal waters),  5 passages of over 60m acting as skipper for at least two with two overnight. 5 days as skipper.