Yachtmaster Ocean Theory
Celestial navigation, ocean meteorology, and passage planning for blue-water sailors and professional crew.
Read the guide: What is an RYA Yachtmaster qualification?Syllabus Highlights
5 sections · 5 topics · 151 outcomes
Key topics & assessment areas
Prerequisite Knowledge
Before you book
Required RYA qualifications
- RYAYachtmaster Offshore
Level · professional
Where we run it
Available locations
Fornells, Menorca
Menorca
RCMB, Barcelona
Barcelona
Enrollment
Enroll on Yachtmaster Ocean Theory
Enrolling creates your course record so you can follow the syllabus, access course materials, track competencies and book practical sessions when dates suit you.
Delivered by Mt Sail & Power. Questions before you start? sail@mtsail.com
Course Content
What you'll cover
01Ocean passage planning
Video3 lessonsOpenClose
Watch — training videos
Skip Novak's Storm Sailing Part 1: the Pelagic philosophy
Skip Novak storm sailing series
Skip Novak introduces the series and the seamanship ethos behind his high-latitude expedition voyages.
Video: Royal Yachting Association · Watch on YouTube
Skip Novak's Storm Sailing Part 2: expedition yacht design
Skip Novak storm sailing series
A tour of Pelagic and Pelagic Australis showing the design choices that make a yacht able to work in extreme conditions.
Video: Royal Yachting Association · Watch on YouTube
Skip Novak's Storm Sailing Part 7: how to choose sails for ocean voyaging
Skip Novak storm sailing series
Sail design and the wardrobe choices that suit long ocean passages.
Video: Royal Yachting Association · Watch on YouTube
Skip Novak's Storm Sailing Part 9: sounding an uncharted bay
Skip Novak storm sailing series
Using the tender and echo sounder to survey an uncharted anchorage before committing the yacht.
Video: Royal Yachting Association · Watch on YouTube
Skip Novak's Storm Sailing Part 10: how to anchor for heavy weather
Skip Novak storm sailing series
Anchoring technique, scope and gear for riding out heavy weather at anchor.
Video: Royal Yachting Association · Watch on YouTube
Skip Novak's Storm Sailing Part 11: how to tie a yacht to shore
Skip Novak storm sailing series
Running shore lines to hold a yacht securely in a tight or deep anchorage.
Video: Royal Yachting Association · Watch on YouTube
Skip Novak's Storm Sailing Part 12: dinghy handling in heavy weather
Skip Novak storm sailing series
Working a yacht tender safely in wind, chop and cold water.
Video: Royal Yachting Association · Watch on YouTube
Lessons (3)
- Theory & key concepts30 min
- Worked example60 min
- Self-check exercise90 min
02The celestial sphere & astro basics
3 lessonsOpenClose
Lessons (3)
- Theory & key concepts30 min
- Worked example60 min
- Self-check exercise90 min
03The sextant: use, errors & sight taking
3 lessonsOpenClose
Lessons (3)
- Theory & key concepts30 min
- Worked example60 min
- Self-check exercise90 min
04Sun sights & the noon latitude
3 lessonsOpenClose
Lessons (3)
- Theory & key concepts
- Worked example
- Self-check exercise
05Star, planet & moon sights
3 lessonsOpenClose
Lessons (3)
- Theory & key concepts
- Worked example
- Self-check exercise
06Time, almanacs & sight reduction
3 lessonsOpenClose
Lessons (3)
- Theory & key concepts
- Worked example
- Self-check exercise
07Ocean meteorology & routeing
Video3 lessonsOpenClose
Watch — training videos
Skip Novak's Storm Sailing Part 3: how to choose and use storm sails
Skip Novak storm sailing series
Choosing, rigging and setting storm sails, and why a dedicated storm jib and trysail earn their place.
Video: Royal Yachting Association · Watch on YouTube
Skip Novak's Storm Sailing Part 4: how to heave to
Skip Novak storm sailing series
Heaving to as a way of riding out heavy weather, and the art of making it work in a big sea.
Video: Royal Yachting Association · Watch on YouTube
Skip Novak's Storm Sailing Part 5: how to reef quickly and easily
Skip Novak storm sailing series
A tried and tested reefing method for sailing comfortably in 35 knots.
Video: Royal Yachting Association · Watch on YouTube
Skip Novak's Storm Sailing Part 6: how to prepare a yacht for heavy weather
Skip Novak storm sailing series
Deck, rig, below-decks and crew preparation before heavy weather arrives.
Video: Royal Yachting Association · Watch on YouTube
Skip Novak's Storm Sailing Part 8: the trouble with drogues and sea anchors
Skip Novak storm sailing series
A realistic look at what drogues and sea anchors can and cannot do.
Video: Royal Yachting Association · Watch on YouTube
Lessons (3)
- Theory & key concepts
- Worked example
- Self-check exercise
08Communications, welfare & emergencies offshore
3 lessonsOpenClose
Lessons (3)
- Theory & key concepts
- Worked example
- Self-check exercise
RYA Syllabus
Learning outcomes
01Astro Navigation
2 outcomes
Sextant use & sight reduction2
- 1.1Takes and reduces sextant sights to obtain a position line
- 1.2Runs sun-run-sun fixes and meridian passage for noon latitude
02Ocean Passage Planning
1 outcomes
Route planning1
- 2.1Plans an ocean passage using pilot charts, routing charts and climate data
03Great Circle Sailing
1 outcomes
Long-distance navigation1
- 3.1Calculates and plots great circle and rhumb line courses
04World Meteorology
1 outcomes
Global weather1
- 4.1Understands ocean weather systems, tropical revolving storms and avoidance
05Communications
1 outcomes
HF/SSB and satellite1
- 5.1Uses appropriate communications equipment for ocean passages
Upcoming Sessions
Book your place
No sessions are currently scheduled. Contact us at sail@mtsail.com to request one.