Yachtmaster Coastal and Offshore Preparation and Exam
The top level commercial and leisure qualification for boaters seeking to operate sailing vessels up to 24m with 12 passengers.
This prep and exam can be run on our craft (Bavaria 32) or on your own vessel.
Total duration 6 days comprising
- 4 day preparation run by a YMI to cover all aspects of the YM Exam to ensure that your skills and knowledge are at the right standard for you to undertake your exam
- 2 day exams conducted by an external MCA/RYA Examiner
Our exam preparation will be run by a RYA Yachtmaster Instructor who over the four days will aim to cover each of the areas that will be addressed in the exam. The exam looks at your boat handling, your understanding of all aspects of boating and navigation and particularly your ability to take command of and manage the vessel and crew.
During the course the Instructor will run sessions to help you to improve all of the tested areas and ensure that you are best placed to pass the exam. Some areas may simply be a refresher whereas others may brush up an area you have got quite rusty on, either way it is really key that you are at the right level for the exam before coming on this course as if there are areas that need material improvement then it is probable that you are not yet at the right level for the examination.
The Yachtmaster Offshore Preparation course & exam is ideal for sailors who want to:
- Skipper coastal and offshore passages by day and night
- Develop and demonstrate advanced navigation, seamanship and boat-handling skills
- Take responsibility for passage planning and crew management
- Work towards a professional career at sea or add a commercial endorsement
- Gain an internationally recognised qualification demonstrating their experience and competence as a skipper
This level of training is suitable for you if you have been boating for a number of years and have operated on board as skipper or navigator. You will need to hold the following qualifications before starting the exam:
- RYA VHF certificate
- A valid First Aid Certificate (within 3yrs of the exam)
- RYA Yachtmaster Theory course.
Please ensure that you meet the RYA exam pre-requisites prior top booking onto this course – for the most up to date list see the RYA page HERE.
Documented minimum sea time completed on a seagoing sailing or motor yacht (as appropriate) in the last 10 years:
YM Offshore Pre-requisites
- 50 days at sea on yachts up to 500gt ;
- 5 days as skipper on vessels less than 24m LOA;
- 2500 miles on yachts up to 500gt;
- 5 passages over 60 miles long, which must include 2 overnight passages and 2 as skipper
YM Coastal Pre-requisites
- 30 days at sea on yachts less than 24m LOA ;
- 2 days as skipper on vessels less than 24m LOA;
- 800 miles on yachts less than 24m LOA;
- 12 night hours
The preparation will include at least one night pilotage session so the course timings will vary.
Day one will be 9am – 5pm and your instructor will discuss the plan with you on the first day.
Start and finish times for days incorporating the night pilotage will vary depending on the season.
Minimum Duration: 4 days Prep plus 2 days exams
Minimum age
- Yachtmaster Coastal 17 years old
- Yachtmaster Offshore 18 years old.
Maximum of 4 students to one instructor / vessel
Your exam fee is payable directly to your examiner – for the latest exam fees please see the RYA website at: https://www.rya.org.uk/courses-training/exams/Pages/exam-fees.aspx
Offshore: 8-12 hours for 1 candidate, 10-18 hours for 2 candidates.
Coastal: 6-10 hours for one candidate, 8-14 hours for two candidates
No more than two candidates can be examined in 24 hours and no more than four candidates can be examined in one 2 day session.
