Yachtmaster Coastal/Offshore Prep & Exam – RYA Accredited

RYA Yachtmaster Coastal Exam

The RYA Yachtmaster® Coastal candidate has the knowledge and practical experience needed to skipper a yacht on coastal cruises but does not necessarily have the experience needed to undertake longer passages.
RYA Yachtmaster Coastal exam pre-requisites:
Minimum seatime : Documented minimum sea time(1) completed on a seagoing sailing or motor yacht (as appropriate) in the last 10 years:

• 30 days at sea on a vessel less than 24m LOA, which may be reduced to 12 days at sea on vessels less than 24m LOA or substituted with 30 days at sea on yachts under 500gt(2) if an RYA Coastal Skipper Practical course completion certificate or an RYA Yachtmaster Coastal Certificate of Competence in another discipline is held(3);

• 2 days as skipper on a vessel less than 24m LOA;

• 800 miles, which may be reduced to 400 miles on vessels less than 24m LOA or substituted with 800 miles at sea on yachts under 500gt(2) if an RYA Coastal Skipper Practical course completion certificate or an RYA Yachtmaster Coastal Certificate of Competence in another discipline is held(3);

• 12 night hours

 At least half the qualifying sea time should be gained in tidal waters.

Form of exam: Practical
Minimum exam duration: 6-10 hours for one candidate, 8-14 hours for two candidates
Minimum age: 17 at the time of the exam

Required certificates:

• A GMDSS compliant Marine Radio Operator’s Certificate such as the RYA Short Range Certificate or higher.

• An RYA First Aid Certificate or another valid first aid certificate, as detailed on the RYA website.

• RYA Coastal Skipper Practical course completion certificate (either Sail or Power, as appropriate) ONLY IF claiming reduced sea time detailed above.

• Photographic ID card or document, such as passport or driving license

RYA Yachtmaster Offshore exam pre-requisites:
Minimum seatime :

Documented minimum sea time(1) completed on a seagoing sailing or motor yacht (as appropriate) in the last 10 years:

• 50 days at sea on yachts up to 500gt(2) which may be reduced to 25 days if the candidate already holds an RYA Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate of Competence(3) in another discipline.

• 5 days as skipper on vessels less than 24m LOA, which may be reduced to 3 days if the candidate already holds an RYA Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate of Competence(3);

• 2500 miles on yachts up to 500gt(2), which may be reduced to 1250 miles if the candidate already holds an RYA Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate of Competence(3);

• 5 passages over 60 miles long, which must include 2 overnight passages and 2 as skipper, which may be reduced to 3 passages  including 1 overnight and 1 as skipper if the candidate already holds an RYA Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate of Competence(3).

  At least half the qualifying sea time should be gained in tidal waters and on vessels less than 24m LOA, and all seatime must be on vessels of the same discipline as the exam to be taken, i.e. sail or power.

Form of exam: Practical
Minimum exam duration: 8-12 hours for 1 candidate, 10-18 hours for 2 candidates. No more than two candidates can be examined in 24 hours and no more than four candidates can be examined in a 2 day session
Minimum age: 18 at the time of the exam

Required certificates

• A GMDSS compliant Marine Radio Operator’s Certificate such as the RYA Short Range Certificate, or higher.

• An RYA First Aid Certificate or another valid first aid certificate

• Photographic ID card or document, such as passport or driving license.