RYA yachtmaster offshore

A serious challenge to become a Yachtmaster

The high level of maritime training has become our speciality and we are the first choice of training provider for Yachtmaster candidates in Barcelona and further afield.

Our Yachtmaster exam success rate is very high due to our personal commitment. The training support we offer to our students is unrivalled.

We are the longest established RYA training centre in Barcelona

You really need to work for this, not just turn up and expect success.

RYA/MCA ‘Yachtmaster Offshore’ is the pinnacle of the sail and motor cruising qualifications, and is a much coveted title that is held in high regard worldwide, and most certainly the first step for a professional career in the nautical industry.

You must first fulfil the guidelines set down by the RYA. Pre-course requirements are: 50 days at sea, five days as skipper, 2,500 miles (half of which should be in tidal waters), five passages over 60 miles including two overnight passages and two as skipper. A Marine Radio Operator’s certificate and a First Aid certificate are to be presented at the time of examination. We run the vhfs and First Aid courses as part of our Yachtmaster training programme so we can ensure your application is complete.

You should have navigation theory understanding to the level of the RYA Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaster shorebased course. We run our Yachtmaster theory courses in the class room in the week before every Yachtmaster practical training course.  We also provide extensive resources and tutorials before hand to help prepare for this intensive course.

Our Yachtmaster Instructors will take you through a rigorous Yachtmaster exam preparation training schedule, to ensure you are ready for the assessment.

If you are not ready we will talk to you about pathway options.

The practical examinations are run by independent Yachtmaster examiners. You are expected to demonstrate your practical ability as a skipper of an offshore sailing or motor yacht, including questions on collision avoidance, navigation, pilotage, meteorology and boat handling.

Successful candidates can then work as a Master of commercial vessels of up to 200gt in category 1 to 6 waters – that is up to 150 miles from a safe haven. 

If the examiner is flying in from outside the island, the exam candidates are to share the expenses between them. these will be detailed including the flights/travel expenses and advise in advance. The exam fee is to be paid directly to the RYA on your exam application form.

Course costs

• RYA yachtmaster ocean course 790e
• practical trip for celestial sights 450e (2 days)
• RYA exam fees for ocean oral 250e (£200 direct to RYA)

What is include

• Course material
• use of a sextant during the course
• RYA course completion certificates
• teas, coffee soft drinks

What is not included

• flights and travel to course
• accomodation ashore
• meals and drinks ashore
• personal travel insurance
• any RYA examination fees for certification

Pre-course experience	2500 nautical miles sailed 50% in tidal waters 50 days onboard 10 trips as skipper over 60 nm 5 night passages as skipper VHF licence Accepted first aid certificate
Assumed knowledge	The It is recommended you attend the Yachtmaster shorebased theory shorebased course beforehand.
Minimum duration	5 days,practical preparation 2 days for the exam
Minimum age	17
Course content	Preparation for sea, deck work, navigation, pilotage, meteorology, rules of the road, maintenance and repair work, engines, victualling, emergency situations, yacht handling under power, yacht handling under sail, passage making, night cruising

Yachtmaster eligibility

The eligibility criteria for candidates looking for yachtmaster exams has been changed and reinforced. This is in response to MCA requirements and yachting industry demands.

The big changes affecting superyacht crew is that:

50 % of qualifying sea time must be on vessels between 8 to 24m

All qualifying passages must be on vessel less than 24m.

Seatime on a vessel over 500t does not count.

Vessels for seatime must be relevant to exam,(eliminating many tenders seatime)

There is also the requirement that 50% of seatime must be in tidal waters.

This has just made achieving yachtmaster offshore power a lot more difficult and expensive.

Over 80% of all yachtmaster qualifications are commercial certificates. These  are RYA /MCA certificates of  competence that the holder can skipper an vessel up to 200t  with 12 guests onboard.

There has been concern in the yachting industry that the qualification is also used as a benchmark for deckhands who may have many ocean crossings but minimal commend experience other than driving the fast tender.

There is nothing more concerning in a yachtmaster prep week than to find the candidates have little skippering or boat handling experience. While these skills can be taught it is unreasonable to expect to turn up for 5 das without the skills or relevant experience and walk away with a licence to skipper a 200t vessel. it is now considered much more appropriate to complete the coastal skipper and coastal yachtmaster exams before embarking on the yachtmaster offshore program. they can all be achieved in a season with proper planning and guidance.

We are planning to offer a comprehensive yachtmaster program to ensure superyacht crew gain the experience and sea miles for exam success.

We will be using our bases in Barcelona and the Clyde, Scotland to deliver the required tidal mix.

The eligibility criteria

Yachtmaster eligibility check list
key issues	50% of setime in tidal
	50 % of seatime on vessels less than 24m
	no seatime on vessel over 500t counts
	qualifing passages must be on vessel less than 24m. minimum 60nm
Yachtmaster Coastal	total	tidal	8-24m	tidal 8-to 24m
seatime	800	400	400	200
days on board	30	15	15	8
skipper  days	2	1	2	1
night hours	12	6	6	3
Yachtmaster Offshore	total	tidal	8-24m	tidal -to24m
seatime	2500	1250	1250	625
days on board	50	25	25	13
qualifing passages	5	3	5	3
skipper  days	5	3	5	3
qualifiing passage skipper	2	1	2	1
night hours	12	6	6	3