The Yachtmaster Offshore (MCA/RYA) preparation is designed to equip you with the boat handling and navigational skills and experience to skipper passages during the day and night no more that 150nm from a safe haven. This five day course is followed by a two day exam taken by an independent RYA instructor. If successful you will be issued with an RYA Yachtmaster Offsore Certificate of Competence.

This course can be taken either on a sailing yacht or a power boat. It is important to let us know if you are intending to take the exam before the course starts so that we can arrange with the school to ensure there is an independent RYA examiner available. Also please pay particular attention to the Pre-course experience as you are required to hold your VHF Sort Range Certificate and First Aid Certificate. You will also be asked to present you Log booking showing the relevant number of logged miles.

Pre-course experience

Before taking your Yachtmaster  Offshore Exam you are required to have the following; 50 Days sailing 5 of which should be as Skipper, 2500 miles, 5 passages over 60 miles (including 2 overnight and 2 a skipper), VHF/SRC Licence and navigational skills up to the standard of Coastal/Yachtmaster theory.

Minimum Age

The minimum age for taking your Yachtmaster Offshore Course is 17.

Minimum course duration

Five days, plus the 2 days exam

Course Content

This course is a 5 day preparation and refresher course followed by a 2 day exam. There is no requirement to complete the preparation course which means that there is no set syllabus. In preparation for your exam the instructor will assess your strengths and weaknesses and look to improve the areas that may need more work. The areas that are covered in the exam include; boat handling in close quarters, man overboard recovery, passage planning, navigation in restricted visibility, pilotage and the International Collision Regulations.

Ability after the Course

After completing the Yachtmaster Offshore (MCA/RYA) exam you will have the ability to skipper passages by day or night with in 150 nm from a safe haven. This qualification can be used commercially under restrictions, for more information contact the MCA http://www.dft.gov.uk/mca.

The Next Step

Once you have completed your Yachtmaster Offshore course, we recommend you move on to your Yachtmaster Ocean Exam.

What to Take

What you need to take will vary depending on the time of year and where you are taking your course, but there are some basics that apply across the board. For more information on specific destinations please contact us or see the relevant course destination page.

Sun Protection – regardless of what the climate is it is important to remember that you are on the water and exposed to the reflection of the sun.  This means that you can suffer sun/wind burn and sun glare even on the coldest of days. We advise you always take sun cream, a sun hat (or warm hat if it cold) and sun glasses.

Music – most modern yachts have CD players (most with the ability to plug in MP3 players) and you are welcome to take your own music.

Medications and seasickness – you should take any medication you are on and ensure you inform the skipper of what you are taking. Whilst many boats carry a limited supply of seasickness medication if you know you get seasick or have not been sailing before you should always take some with you. Seasickness medication can be purchased over the counter from most pharmacists.

Clothing – This will depend greatly on where you are taking your course but there are a few things to remember. You will need to take a pair of shoes with non-marking bottoms to wear on the boat. You will generally need to take a waterproof jacket just in case (water trousers are also good for the colder climates). Some companies provide waterproofs on board but we will always advise you if this is the case and it is best to assume they don’t. Finally it is important to remember that it is often colder when you are on water and underway so always plan for this.

Guide price

Yachtmaster Offshore courses vary in price depending on where you would like to do the course however as a guide line courses start from around £545 in the UK in low season to £660 in high season. You will also need to pay an exam fee to the RYA which is £194.