Yachtmaster Training Scheme
The Pinnacle of Yachting!
The RYA Yachtmaster Certificate of Competence is often the ultimate aim of aspiring skippers. It is a well known, highly respected qualification worldwide, proving your experience and competence as a skipper.
There are three levels of Yachtmaster qualification:
- Yachtmaster Coastal, for skippers capable of coastal passages
- Yachtmaster Offshore, for skippers competent to undertake passages up to 150 miles offshore
- Yachtmaster Ocean, for skippers with the knowledge and experience necessary to sail worldwide
The Seven Seas Training Scheme for the RYA Yachtmaster Exam is for skippers who already fulfill the criteria required to participate at the exam (documented minimum sea time) for each level and is meant to fine-tune their theoretical knowledge and practical skills in order to succeed at the exam.
For more information regarding the prerequisites and exam format for each level of Yachtmaster qualification please see below.
The Yachtmaster exams are conducted by an independent RYA examiner.
Seven Seas Yachtmaster Coastal and Offshore Training Scheme
Prior to undertaking the Seven Seas Training Scheme for Yachtmaster Coastal and Offshore it is highly recommended to participate in the School's three-day introductory practical session, where candidates will gauge their level of experience.
This will put the candidates in the spirit of the forthcoming exam preparation.
This session is an integral part of the overall exam preparation.
The distinguishing factors of our scheme are the extended theoretical sessions (min. 65 hours in class and extra sessions if required) and the emphasis on satisfying the personal needs of each candidate.
Theory
- Position fixing
- Course shaping and plotting
- Tidal knowledge
- Use of almanacs and admiralty publications
- Electronic position finding equipment
- Taking and interpreting forecasts
- Plotting weather systems
- Weather predictions using a barometer
- Radar
- Anatomy of an Accident
- General ship knowledge and stability
Also included are :
-
An online RYA GMDSS SRC course and an RYA GMDSS SRC exam for candidates who do not already hold a RYA GMDSS SRC certificate (or a GMDSS compliant Marine Radio Operator's Certificate).
-
A RYA recognized First Aid/CPR certificate issued by the Hellenic Lifeguard Academy (ENAK)
Both the SRC certificate and the First Aid/CPR certificate are prerequisites to be eligible for the Yachtmaster Coastal and Offshore Exam
After the theoretical courses, the Yachtmaster candidates are examined on the syllabus covered.
Successful completion of the theory exam is required for the final Yachtmaster examination.
Succesful candidates are awarded a Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaster Offshore Theory Certificate.
Practical Sessions
The four-day practical sessions, which take place after the theoretical course, focus on familiarising Yachtmaster candidates with the boat used for the exam and mastering manoeuvres usually demanded by RYA examiners.
The syllabus includes:
- Commanding skills of the vessel
- Safe debrief techniques
- Close quarter manoeuvres (under sail and motor)
- Pilotage
- Passage planning
- Meteorology
- Usage of electronic devices (GPS and Radar)
- Crew management
- Victelling
- Overnight passages
- Safety
- Man Overboard
- Overall Exam Preparation
What is costs
The prices for the Seven Seas Training Scheme for Yachtmaster Coastal and Offshore are as follows:
Sail: 2550€ plus exam fees
Motor: 2950€ plus exam fees
The prices for both sail and motor also include examiner accommodation and travel costs.
Seven Seas Yachtmaster Ocean Training Scheme
The RYA Yachtmaster Ocean Certificate is the highest and most prestigious qualification in the RYA Training Scheme. It certifies that the holder has the necessary skills to undertake extended ocean passages all over the world.
Given its importance, the Seven Seas School of Yachting offers Yachtmaster Ocean candidates a comprehensive preparation course that covers all the syllabus required for the examination.
What makes the Seven Seas Yachtmaster Ocean Training Scheme stand out, apart from the extended theory courses (around 50 hours in class), is the emphasis we place on instilling in future Yachtmasters the mindset required for succesfully completing long voyages across the oceans of the world.
The Seven Seas Yachtmaster Ocean Training Scheme also includes two practical sessions, one ashore and one at sea, during which candidates put astronavigation theory into practice and take sights.
Theory
- The earth and the celestial sphere
- Practical guide to use and care of sextant at sea
- Meridian altitudes
- Sun, star and other sights
- Ocean passage planning and passage making
- The PZX triangle
- Measurement of time
- Compass checking
- Satellite Navigation Systems
- Great circle sailing
- Communications
Practical Sessions
Two sessions, one ashore and one at sea, during which candidates put astronavigation theory into practice and take sights.
What is costs
The price for the Seven Seas Training Scheme for Yachtmaster Ocean is 1150€ plus exam fees
The price includes examiner accommodation and travel costs.
Prerequisites and exam format for each level of Yachtmaster qualification:
RYA Yachtmaster Coastal Exam
Documented minimum sea time 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 if an RYA Coastal Skipper Practical course completion certificate or an RYA Yachtmaster Coastal Certificate of Competence is held;
-
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 if an RYA Coastal Skipper Practical course completion certificate or an RYA Yachtmaster Coastal Certificate of Competence is held.
-
12 night hours
-
Practical
-
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.
-
6-10 hours for one candidate, 8-14 hours for two candidates
17 at the time of the exam.
RYA Yachtmaster Offshore Exam
Documented minimum sea time completed on a seagoing sailing or motor yacht (as appropriate) in the last 10 years:
-
50 days at sea on yachts up to 500gt which may be reduced to 25 days if the candidate already holds an RYA Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate of Competence;
-
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;
-
2500 miles on yachts up to 500gt2, which may be reduced to 1250 miles if the candidate already holds an RYA Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate of Competence;
-
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.
-
Practical
-
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.
-
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 one 2 day session.
18 at the time of the exam
RYA Yachtmaster Ocean Exam
Have completed a qualifying passage on board a sailing or motor yacht up to 500gt which meets the following criteria:
-
600M including at least 200M more than 50 miles from land or charted objects capable of being used for navigation;
-
Duration of at least 96 hours;
-
The candidate must have taken a full part in the planning and preparation of the passage, including: navigational plan, checking the material condition of the yacht and her equipment; storing with spare gear, fuel, water and victuals.
-
Throughout the passage, the candidate must have acted in a responsible capacity, either in sole charge of a watch or as skipper.
-
Candidates must have successfully navigated a yacht at sea by astro navigation. As a minimum this should include the planning, reduction, and plotting of a sun-run-meridian altitude or sun-run-sun sight and a compass check carried out using the bearing of the sun, moon, a star or planet.
The minimum qualifying passage must have been accrued within 10 years of the examination date.
-
Oral and written assessment of sights take at sea.
Hold either:
-
RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate of Competence, or
-
MCA issued Certificate of Competence as officer in charge of a navigational watch (OOW), Yachts less than 3000gt, unlimited area, Reg II/1.
-
Approximately 1.5 hours
