RYA Yachtmaster Offshore

Overview:

“The RYA Yachtmaster® Offshore is competent to skipper a cruising yacht on any passage during which the yacht is no more than 150 miles from harbour.” – RYA

As with the other RYA Yachtmaster qualifications, there is no formal training course leading up to the RYA Yachtmaster Offshore practical exam. For candidates that have not previously taken RYA courses often find it useful to book themselves in for some informal training at an RYA centre prior to sitting the exam. This training can then be tailored to the candidates needs to fill any gaps in knowledge that are apparent.

RYA Yachtmaster Offshore practical exams can be taken under sail or power and your certificate will be endorsed accordingly. The exam includes an assessment of skippering skills, boat handling, general seamanship, navigation, safety awareness and knowledge of the collision regulations, meteorology and signals.

A commercially endorsed RYA Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate of Competence will enable you to work as a Master of commercial vessels of <200GT in category 1 to 6 waters – that is up to 150 miles from a safe haven. This Certificate of Competence can be used commercially in its own right, or as a prerequisite for the MCA’s Officer of the Watch qualification, which enables you to work worldwide on vessels of <3000GT.

Prerequisites:

For RYA Yachtmaster Offshore certification the following documented minimum sea time completed on a seagoing sailing or motor vessel (as appropriate) in the last 10 years is required:

• 50 days at sea on vessels <500GT;
• 5 days as skipper on vessels less than 24m;
• 2500 miles on vessels <500GT, half of which must be on vessels less than 24m;
• 5 passages over 60 miles long, which must include two overnight passages and two as skipper;
• GMDSS short-range radio certificate; and,
• A valid first aid certificate.

Candidates must be 18 years of age at the time of the sitting the exam.

Duration:

The exam is typically 8-12 hours for one candidate, 10-18 hours for two candidates.