Yachtmaster Offshore Preparation
The Yachtmaster Offshore Preparation course is the final practical polish before the RYA Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate of Competence exam. Candidates must already have the sea time, theory knowledge and skippering experience required by the RYA. The course concentrates on command skills, complex passage planning, heavy-weather strategy, emergency leadership and flawless boat handling. Instructors deliberately create realistic pressure: equipment failures, deteriorating weather, tired crews and unexpected traffic. You will leave with a clear understanding of your strengths and any remaining gaps to address before the exam.
Syllabus Highlights
5 sections · 10 topics · 151 outcomes
Key topics & assessment areas
Prerequisite Knowledge
Before you book
What you should know
- and a minimum of 50 days at sea including 2
- 500 miles and 5 passages over 60 miles including 2 overnight and 2 as skipper
Required RYA qualifications
- RYACoastal Skipper or equivalent
- RYAYachtmaster Offshore Theory
Level · professional
Where we run it
Available locations
Fornells, Menorca
Menorca
RCMB, Barcelona
Barcelona
Enrollment
Enroll on Yachtmaster Offshore Preparation
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
Before you join
Pre-course knowledge check
A five-minute self-assessment of your theory and practical experience. Your instructor uses it to pitch the course at the right level — and you get instant suggestions for anything worth brushing up.
Start the checklistCourse Content
What you'll cover
01Preparation for sea and offshore passage planning
Video3 lessonsOpenClose
Plan and prepare a multi-day offshore passage to the standard an examiner expects.
Watch — training videos
Digital route planning (RYA #DigitalFirst)
An RYA Digital First session on planning a route on screen: building it leg by leg, checking each leg against the chart, and reviewing it before you rely on it.
Video: Royal Yachting Association · Watch on YouTube
Lessons (3)
- Theory60 min
- Worked example90 min
- Self-check30 min
02Boat handling under power in confined spaces
Video3 lessonsOpenClose
Handle a yacht under power in wind and tide to the Yachtmaster standard, ahead and astern.
Watch — training videos
Spronging off a berth
Confined-space handling: springing off pinned by wind or tide
Yachting Monthly demonstrates 'spronging' — using a spring line and engine to spring off a berth when pinned on by wind or tide.
Video: Royal Yachting Association · Watch on YouTube
Big boat handling tips
Confined-space boat handling at Yachtmaster level
Yachting Monthly shares professional tips for handling larger yachts under power — momentum, windage, pivot points and slow-speed control.
Video: Royal Yachting Association · Watch on YouTube
Lessons (3)
- Theory60 min
- Worked example90 min
- Self-check30 min
03Berthing, mooring and rafting in tide and wind
Video3 lessonsOpenClose
Berth alongside, on a finger, bows-to and stern-to in wind and tide.
Watch — training videos
How to moor a yacht securely
Mooring securely in tide and wind
Step-by-step Yachting Monthly guide to mooring a yacht securely, from approach and lines to springs and fender placement.
Video: Royal Yachting Association · Watch on YouTube
How to moor stern to
Mediterranean mooring technique
Yachting Monthly shows how to moor stern-to a quay Mediterranean style — exactly what you will do in Barcelona and Menorca.
Video: Royal Yachting Association · Watch on YouTube
Lessons (3)
- Theory60 min
- Worked example90 min
- Self-check30 min
04Anchoring offshore and overnight
Video3 lessonsOpenClose
Choose, set and check an anchorage for an overnight stay in changing conditions.
Watch — training videos
Yachting Monthly anchor chain test
Anchoring overnight offshore
Yachting Monthly tests anchor chain and anchoring gear to find what really holds — scope, chain versus rope, and setting technique.
Video: Royal Yachting Association · Watch on YouTube
Lessons (3)
- Theory60 min
- Worked example90 min
- Self-check30 min
05Sail handling, heavy weather and boat handling under sail
Video3 lessonsOpenClose
Set, reef and change sails offshore, at night and shorthanded.
Watch — training videos
Sailing in 40 knots: heavy weather lessons
Core viewing for the heavy-weather section
Yachting Monthly's Theo Stocker goes out in 40 knots to test heavy-weather techniques for coastal sailors — reefing, sea room, and decision-making.
Video: Royal Yachting Association · Watch on YouTube
Skip Novak's Storm Sailing Part 3: how to choose and use storm sails
Storm tactics: Skip Novak 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
Storm tactics: Skip Novak 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
Storm tactics: Skip Novak 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
Storm tactics: Skip Novak 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
Storm tactics: Skip Novak series
A realistic look at what drogues and sea anchors can and cannot do.
Video: Royal Yachting Association · Watch on YouTube
Lessons (3)
- Theory60 min
- Worked example90 min
- Self-check30 min
06Pilotage by day and night
3 lessonsOpenClose
Prepare and execute a pilotage plan into an unfamiliar harbour without relying on the plotter.
Lessons (3)
- Theory60 min
- Worked example90 min
- Self-check30 min
07Navigation offshore, electronic aids and blind navigation
Video3 lessonsOpenClose
Navigate offshore by traditional and electronic means, cross-checking each against the other.
Watch — training videos
Cursor range and bearing
Measure range and bearing from your boat or a waypoint using the plotter cursor.
Video: Royal Yachting Association · Watch on YouTube
Rulers for bearing and position confirmation
Use on-screen rulers to confirm bearings and your position at a waypoint.
Video: Royal Yachting Association · Watch on YouTube
Relative motion on screen (RYA #DigitalFirst)
How relative motion works on radar and plotter displays, and how to tell whether a target is genuinely on a collision course with you.
Video: Royal Yachting Association · Watch on YouTube
VRM and EBL for position monitoring
Use variable range markers and electronic bearing lines to monitor position and traffic.
Video: Royal Yachting Association · Watch on YouTube
Route creation and editing
Build, review and edit a route on the chart plotter.
Video: Royal Yachting Association · Watch on YouTube
Lessons (3)
- Theory60 min
- Worked example90 min
- Self-check30 min
08Man overboard recovery under sail and power
Video3 lessonsOpenClose
Recover a man overboard under both sail and power, by day and at night.
Watch — training videos
Man overboard crew training: Prevent, Practise, Prepare
RYA guidance on preventing a man overboard and preparing the whole crew to respond.
Video: Royal Yachting Association · Watch on YouTube
MOB retrieval and recovery
Recovery under sail and power — watch before the exam exercise
Yachting Monthly tests man overboard retrieval and recovery techniques afloat, showing what really works when getting a casualty back on board.
Video: Royal Yachting Association · Watch on YouTube
Lessons (3)
- Theory60 min
- Worked example90 min
- Self-check30 min
09Meteorology and weather strategy offshore
3 lessonsOpenClose
Interpret synoptic charts, GRIB files and forecasts to build a weather strategy for a passage.
Lessons (3)
- Theory60 min
- Worked example90 min
- Self-check30 min
10Collision regulations, watchkeeping and traffic separation
3 lessonsOpenClose
Apply the IRPCS correctly under way, by day and night, including in restricted visibility.
Lessons (3)
- Theory60 min
- Worked example90 min
- Self-check30 min
11Yacht systems, maintenance and engineering offshore
Video3 lessonsOpenClose
Carry out and delegate daily and passage engine and systems checks.
Watch — training videos
How to climb a mast solo at sea
Offshore you are your own rigger
Yachting Monthly demonstrates safe solo mast-climbing techniques at sea — equipment, backup lines and communication with the crew.
Video: Royal Yachting Association · Watch on YouTube
Lessons (3)
- Briefing and theory
- On-the-water practice
- Debrief and self-check
12Night passages, watchkeeping and crew management
Video3 lessonsOpenClose
Run a yacht safely at night, including entry to a strange harbour.
Watch — training videos
Taking the stress out of sailing shorthanded
Crew management lessons even with a full crew
Yachting Monthly shows techniques for sailing shorthanded without stress — preparation, automation, and keeping manoeuvres simple.
Video: Royal Yachting Association · Watch on YouTube
Lessons (3)
- Briefing and theory
- On-the-water practice
- Debrief and self-check
13Emergencies, SAR and the exam itself
Video3 lessonsOpenClose
Handle fire, flooding, grounding, dismasting, steering failure, medical emergency and abandonment.
Watch — training videos
Are distress signals out of date?
Distress alerting choices for offshore passages
Yachting Monthly examines traditional flares versus modern electronic distress signals — what works, what is changing, and what to carry.
Video: Royal Yachting Association · Watch on YouTube
Lessons (3)
- Briefing and theory
- On-the-water practice
- Debrief and self-check
RYA Syllabus
Learning outcomes
01Offshore passage planning
4 outcomes
Offshore route planning2
- YOS.OP.1Plans a multi-day offshore passage with weather routing and fuel budget.
- YOS.OP.2Selects ports of refuge and decision points along the route.
Contingency planning2
- YOS.CP.1Defines abort criteria and communicates them to the crew.
- YOS.CP.2Revises the plan when forecasts or conditions change.
02Heavy weather and seamanship
4 outcomes
Heavy weather tactics2
- YOS.HW.1Selects appropriate sail plan and tactics for forecast severe weather.
- YOS.HW.2Directs the crew through heaving-to, running off or lying a-hull.
Crew welfare2
- YOS.CW.1Maintains crew warmth, dryness, food and rest in bad weather.
- YOS.CW.2Recognises and responds to fatigue and seasickness.
03Navigation and traffic
4 outcomes
Offshore navigation2
- YOS.ON.1Maintains an accurate offshore log and chart plot.
- YOS.ON.2Cross-checks electronic position with independent observations.
Shipping and TSS2
- YOS.ST.1Plans routes through or around Traffic Separation Schemes.
- YOS.ST.2Identifies vessel type and action from lights, shapes and AIS.
04Emergency leadership
4 outcomes
Emergency response2
- YOS.ER.1Directs the crew through offshore emergency drills.
- YOS.ER.2Implements damage control and medical emergency procedures.
SAR coordination2
- YOS.SR.1Composes clear distress and urgency calls with all required information.
- YOS.SR.2Coordinates with rescue services and prepares for evacuation if needed.
05Command and systems
4 outcomes
Command leadership2
- YOS.CL.1Exercises calm, decisive command throughout the passage.
- YOS.CL.2Briefs, delegates and debriefs the crew effectively.
Systems and maintenance2
- YOS.SM.1Understands engine, electrical, steering and rigging systems.
- YOS.SM.2Carries out basic troubleshooting and temporary repairs at sea.
Upcoming Sessions
Book your place
No sessions are currently scheduled. Contact us at sail@mtsail.com to request one.
Watch & explore
Training videos
Chart plotter essentials: series introduction
Welcome to the RYA Wavelength DigitalFirst Manufacturers' Insights series — bite-size chart plotter skills from the manufacturers.
Video: Royal Yachting Association · Watch on YouTube
Videos produced by the Royal Yachting Association.