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RYA G158Shorebased · advanced

Yachtmaster Offshore Theory

Advanced chartwork, offshore passage planning, weather systems, and celestial fundamentals for the offshore skipper.

Read the guide: What is an RYA Yachtmaster qualification?

Syllabus Highlights

7 sections · 7 topics · 151 outcomes

Key topics & assessment areas

Full RYA syllabus →Shareable preview page →

Prerequisite Knowledge

Before you book

Required RYA qualifications

  • RYADay Skipper Theory

Level · advanced

Where we run it

Available locations

  • Fornells, Menorca

    Menorca

  • RCMB, Barcelona

    Barcelona

See scheduled dates →

Enrollment

Enroll on Yachtmaster Offshore 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

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Course tools

Course Content

What you'll cover

01

Position fixing & advanced chartwork

6 lessonsOpen
Lessons (6)
  • Theory & key concepts30 min
  • Worked example60 min
  • Interactive: Position Fixing
  • Interactive: Navigation In Restricted Visibility
  • Worked examples15 min
  • Practice exercises114 min
02

Tides, tidal heights & secondary ports

9 lessonsOpen
Lessons (9)
  • Theory & key concepts30 min
  • Interactive: Causes of tides
  • Interactive: Tide heights and chart datum
  • Interactive: Rule of twelfths
  • Interactive: Tides for a standard port
  • Interactive: The tidal curve
  • Interactive: Corrections For A Secondary Port
  • Worked examples15 min
  • Practice exercises33 min
03

Tidal streams & course to steer

5 lessonsOpen
Lessons (5)
  • Theory & key concepts30 min
  • Interactive: Shaping The Course
  • Worked examples15 min
  • Practice exercises24 min
  • RYA tidal streams revision35 min
04

Electronic navigation: GNSS, plotters & radar

Video7 lessonsOpen

Watch — training videos

Decluttering charts for navigation

Strip a chart plotter display back to the information you actually need underway.

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

Adjusting depth contours and the depth alarm

Set safety contours and depth alarms so the plotter warns you before you run out of water.

Video: Royal Yachting Association · Watch on YouTube

Chart and dashboard split screen

Combine chart and instrument data on one plotter screen.

Video: Royal Yachting Association · Watch on YouTube

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

Heading and COG vectors

Understand heading vs course over ground and how vector lines predict your track.

Video: Royal Yachting Association · Watch on YouTube

Navigation alarms

Set and manage arrival, anchor and off-course alarms on the plotter.

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

True and relative vectors

Compare true and relative vector modes and when to use each.

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

Lessons (7)
  • Theory & key concepts
  • Interactive: Radar
  • Interactive: Echo Sounder
  • Interactive: Gps
  • Worked examples15 min
  • Practice exercises84 min
  • RYA buoyage, lights and electronic navigation revision25 min
05

Collision regulations in depth

3 lessonsOpen
Lessons (3)
  • Theory & key concepts
  • Worked examples15 min
  • Practice exercises138 min
06

Lights, shapes & sound signals

4 lessonsOpen
Lessons (4)
  • Theory & key concepts
  • Interactive: Navigation Lights
  • Worked examples15 min
  • Practice exercises57 min
07

Buoyage & pilotage planning

9 lessonsOpen
Lessons (9)
  • Theory & key concepts
  • Interactive: Lighted Navigation Aids
  • Interactive: Light Ranges
  • Interactive: Lists And Corrections
  • Worked examples15 min
  • Practice exercises36 min
  • RYA buoyage, lights and electronic navigation revision25 min
  • RYA passage planning and pilotage revision30 min
  • Source import audit — staff review10 min
08

Meteorology: synoptic charts & forecasting

7 lessonsOpen
Lessons (7)
  • Theory & key concepts
  • Self-check exercise
  • Interactive: Interpreting A Weather Fax
  • Interactive: Navtex
  • Worked examples15 min
  • Practice exercises75 min
  • RYA meteorology test papers45 min
09

Passage planning & strategy

Video5 lessonsOpen

Watch — training videos

Route creation and editing

Build and check the passage route electronically.

Build, review and edit a route on the chart plotter.

Video: Royal Yachting Association · Watch on YouTube

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 (5)
  • Theory & key concepts
  • Worked examples15 min
  • Practice exercises39 min
  • RYA passage planning and pilotage revision30 min
  • Source import audit — staff review10 min
10

Safety, emergencies & search and rescue

Video4 lessonsOpen

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

Lessons (4)
  • Theory & key concepts
  • Self-check exercise
  • Worked examples15 min
  • Practice exercises84 min
11

Communications & distress procedures

4 lessonsOpen
Lessons (4)
  • Theory & key concepts
  • Interactive: Signals
  • Interactive: Gmdss
  • Worked examples15 min
12

Yacht stability, maintenance & seamanship

4 lessonsOpen
Lessons (4)
  • Theory & key concepts
  • Self-check exercise
  • Worked examples15 min
  • Practice exercises24 min
13

Passage planning in practice

3 lessonsOpen

Build a real-time passage plan with waypoints, tides, wind and weather, then plot it in the Chart Room.

Lessons (3)
  • Waypoints and route30 min
  • Tides and timing30 min
  • Wind, weather and go/no-go30 min

RYA Syllabus

Learning outcomes

01

Position Fixing

1 outcomes
Advanced position fixing1
  • 1.1Fixes position by multiple methods including cocked hats and running fixes
02

Course Shaping and Plotting

1 outcomes
Currents & leeway1
  • 2.1Plots course to steer allowing for tide, current and leeway
03

Tidal Knowledge

1 outcomes
Complex tides1
  • 3.1Calculates tidal heights and streams for secondary ports and non-standard ports
04

Lights & Buoyage

1 outcomes
Night navigation1
  • 4.1Identifies lights and IALA A buoys at night with confidence
05

Passage Planning

1 outcomes
Offshore passages1
  • 5.1Plans an offshore passage including contingency and safety management
06

IRPCS

1 outcomes
Advanced application1
  • 6.1Applies all IRPCS rules including restricted visibility
07

Meteorology

1 outcomes
Synoptic charts1
  • 7.1Interprets synoptic charts and forecasts weather at sea

Upcoming Sessions

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