How to Become a Yachtmaster
How to Become a Yachtmaster
Pathway to becoming a Yachtmaster
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Become a fully qualified RYA Yachtmaster. Learn more about, commercial marine qualifications, and working on boats!
This is an opportunity to bring to bring together your existing skills and identify and fill any gaps you might have in structured and enjoyable way.
There is an enormous satisfaction that comes from sitting and passing a Yachtmaster exam and having your seamanship skills and skippering ability examined and awarded this prestigious and internationally recognised qualification.
RYA Yachtmaster Coastal and RYA Yachtmaster Offshore exams have at least two and up to four candidates. Being assessed with other candidates can help with the course cost. Usually, the RYA practical centre where you book your exam will assist you in finding other suitable candidates for the preparation and examination process.
During your examination you are tested on a range of elements of the Yachtmaster syllabus including navigation, boat handling, man overboard, safety, meteorology, adverse weather management, your skippering ability and your eligibility to sit practical exams.
This is an opportunity to bring to bring together your existing skills and identify and fill any gaps you might have in structured and enjoyable way.
There is an enormous satisfaction that comes from sitting and passing a Yachtmaster exam and having your seamanship skills and skippering ability examined and awarded this prestigious and internationally recognised qualification.
RYA Yachtmaster Coastal and RYA Yachtmaster Offshore exams have at least two and up to four candidates. Being assessed with other candidates can help with the course cost. Usually, the RYA practical centre where you book your exam will assist you in finding other suitable candidates for the preparation and examination process.
During your examination you are tested on a range of elements of the Yachtmaster syllabus including navigation, boat handling, man overboard, safety, meteorology, adverse weather management, your skippering ability and your eligibility to sit practical exams.
"I did the Yachtmaster Shore-based course with A&BB. It was a well-structured course that required a significant commitment of time but was well worth it. It plan to do a few passages in the future and this course has given me some good skills, useful resources and more confidence when I head offshore. The course flows well, and Neil was available to assist me when I needed some guidance. I recommend the course."
Alan Rushbrook
Essential Theoretical Knowledge for Yachtmaster Exam Preparation
The RYA Coastal Skipper and Yachtmaster Theory Course is an advanced training course covering extensive theoretical knowledge necessary for offshore skippering skills, boat handling, seamanship, navigation, safety awareness, collision avoidance, meteorology, and the use of technological aids.
This is an essential step for all RYA certificates beyond the RYA Day Skipper. This RYA Yachtmaster Theory course should be completed before the RYA Coastal Skipper Course (for both sail and motor vessels) and is a critical part of your certificate of competency preparations to pass the RYA Yachtmaster Coastal and RYA Yachtmaster Offshore exams.
The RYA Yachtmaster course assumes a knowledge level equivalent to at least the RYA Day Skipper Shorebased course. This requirement is often more advanced than most people anticipate.
This is an essential step for all RYA certificates beyond the RYA Day Skipper. This RYA Yachtmaster Theory course should be completed before the RYA Coastal Skipper Course (for both sail and motor vessels) and is a critical part of your certificate of competency preparations to pass the RYA Yachtmaster Coastal and RYA Yachtmaster Offshore exams.
The RYA Yachtmaster course assumes a knowledge level equivalent to at least the RYA Day Skipper Shorebased course. This requirement is often more advanced than most people anticipate.
By assuming Day Skipper knowledge, we start the Yachtmaster course on the basis that you are comfortable with:
- Making navigational decisions using tidal heights and charts to determine clearance based on charted depths and tidal predictions.
- Using nautical charts, calculating a magnetic course to steer, accounting for tidal streams, magnetic variation, leeway, and wind effects.
- Confirming a satellite-derived position with a nautical chart, considering magnetic variation, dead reckoning, leeway, and tidal streams.
- Planning and skippering short coastal passages with the ability to operate the vessel with or without fully functioning electronic navigation aids.
- Using synoptic charts to interpret the background information that has created a weather forecast for a passage
These topics, and more, are thoroughly covered in the Day Skipper Shorebased Course, which is a core part of the Complete Skipper Course package.
We recommend the Complete Skipper Course to ensure you are well-prepared for the advanced topics covered in the Yachtmaster course.
Yachtmaster Exam Preparation
Yachtmaster Exam Preparation
Duration is unique to the participant, but the pre-requisites are outlined below
Yachtmaster Exam
Coastal / Offshore Practical exam
Yachtmaster Exam
Coastal / Offshore Practical exam
Coastal / Offshore Practical exam
Yachtmaster Exam Preparation
Yachtmaster Exam Preparation
Duration is unique to the participant, but the pre-requisites are outlined below
Yachtmaster Exam
Coastal / Offshore Practical exam
Yachtmaster Exam
Coastal / Offshore Practical exam
Coastal / Offshore Practical exam
Do you need a Yachtmaster Qualification?
Obtaining an RYA Yachtmaster Coastal or Offshore qualification can significantly ease the process of securing Blue Water insurance for offshore cruising.
Those seeking to work commercially can enhance their qualification with a commercial endorsement by meeting additional requirements of an RYA/MCA-approved medical and a current Safety and Sea Survival Qualification. The commercially endorsed RYA Yachtmaster Qualification can be used in over 60 countries.
In Australia, AMSA recognised the RYA Commercially endorsed Yachtmaster Coastal and Offshore qualifications to issue an AMSA Sailing Master qualification that enables the holder to work commercially on sailing vessels within Australian Waters. The pathway to the AMSA Sailing Master qualifications is summarised below.
If you do not intend to work commercially you only need to meet the requisites to sit the exam.
Those seeking to work commercially can enhance their qualification with a commercial endorsement by meeting additional requirements of an RYA/MCA-approved medical and a current Safety and Sea Survival Qualification. The commercially endorsed RYA Yachtmaster Qualification can be used in over 60 countries.
In Australia, AMSA recognised the RYA Commercially endorsed Yachtmaster Coastal and Offshore qualifications to issue an AMSA Sailing Master qualification that enables the holder to work commercially on sailing vessels within Australian Waters. The pathway to the AMSA Sailing Master qualifications is summarised below.
If you do not intend to work commercially you only need to meet the requisites to sit the exam.
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RYA Yachtmaster Coastal
Certificate of Competence
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The RYA Yachtmaster Coastal has the knowledge needed to skipper a sailing yacht on coastal cruises but does not necessarily have the experience needed to undertake longer passages.
RYA Yachtmaster Coastal Exam Pre-requisites
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RYA Coastal Skipper and Yachtmaster Theory Course
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VHF Radio Licence (SROCP, or LROCP, or RYA SRC)
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Valid first aid certificate
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Seatime - 800 miles logged within 10 years prior to examination
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30 days living onboard
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2 days as skipper
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12 night hours
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30 days living onboard
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Exam Duration
6 - 10 hours for one candidate and/or 4 - 8 hours per candidate when more than one candidate is being examined.
Candidates will be set tasks to allow them to demonstrate their ability and will be asked questions on any part of the syllabus for all practical and shore-based courses up to coastal skipper level.
Candidates will be expected to demonstrate understanding but may not have had the opportunity to practice all aspects of the syllabus under a range of different weather conditions.
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RYA Yachtmaster Offshore
Certificate of Competence
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The RYA Yachtmaster Offshore is competent to skipper a sailing yacht on any passage during which the vessel is no more than 150 miles from harbour.
RYA Yachtmaster Offshore Exam Pre-requisites
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RYA Coastal Skipper and Yachtmaster Theory Course
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VHF Radio Licence
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Valid first aid certificate
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Seatime - 50 days, 2500 miles logged within 10 years prior to examination
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At least 5 passages over 60 miles, acting as skipper for 2 of these passages and including 2 which have involved overnight passages.
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Half of the qualifying seatime must have been accrued in tidal waters
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Exam Duration
8 - 12 hours for one candidate and/or 5 - 9 hours per candidate when two candidates are being examined.
Candidates will be set tasks to allow them to demonstrate their ability as a skipper of an offshore cruising yacht and will be asked questions on any part of the syllabus for all courses except RYA Yachtmaster Ocean.
Candidates will be expected to demonstrate competence based on broad experience.
Commercial use of a Yachtmaster Qualification
An RYA Yachtmaster Coastal or Offshore qualification can be commercially endorsed by the RYA.
The RYA commercial endorsement requires the holder to have Sea Safety and Survival Certificate, PPR and an approved medical.
In Australia, AMSA recognised the RYA Yachtmaster Coastal and RYA Yachtmaster Offshore as commercial seafarer certificates under Marine Order 505.
To operate commercial sailing vessels within Australia, the RYA commercially endorsed Yachtmaster qualification serves as the basis for being issued with an AMSA Sailing Master Coastal or AMSA Sailing Master Offshore qualification.
The RYA commercial endorsement requires the holder to have Sea Safety and Survival Certificate, PPR and an approved medical.
In Australia, AMSA recognised the RYA Yachtmaster Coastal and RYA Yachtmaster Offshore as commercial seafarer certificates under Marine Order 505.
To operate commercial sailing vessels within Australia, the RYA commercially endorsed Yachtmaster qualification serves as the basis for being issued with an AMSA Sailing Master Coastal or AMSA Sailing Master Offshore qualification.
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Commercial Uses in Australia - AMSA Sailing Master Coastal
You can be the master on a commercial sailing vessel <24m long with propulsion power <100kw, in inshore waters if you also have the following:
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RYA Yachtmaster Coastal certificate
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Commercial and Australian Waters endorsements from on the RYA Yachtmaster Coastal certificate.
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Completed RYA Diesel Engine course
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Completed the Australian Sailing Powerboat Handling Course or the RYA Powerboat Level 2.
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You can also be the chief mate or deck watchkeeper on a commercial sailing vessel <45m long in inshore waters, operate the tender for the vessel under the command of the master, with propulsion power up to 100 kW and undertake the duties and perform function of a General Purpose Hand NC.
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Commercial Uses in Australia - Sailing Master Offshore NC
You can be the master on a commercial sailing vessel <24m long with propulsion power <100kw, with up to 12 passengers within the Australian Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) if you also have the following:
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RYA Yachtmaster Offshore certificate
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Commercial and Australian Waters endorsements from on the RYA Yachtmaster Offshore certificate.
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Long range operator certificate of competency (LROCP) - nb. - The SROCP is sufficient for the RYA to be eligible for the Yachtmaster Exam, but the LROCP (HF/MF & VHF) is required by AMSA for this qualification.
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Completed RYA Diesel Engine course
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Completed the Australian Sailing Powerboat Handling Course or the RYA Powerboat Level 2.
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You can also be the chief mate or deck watchkeeper on a commercial sailing vessel <45m long in the EEZ, operate the tender for the vessel under the command of the master, with propulsion power up to 100 kW and undertake the duties and perform function of a General Purpose Hand NC.
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