RYA Yachtmaster Offshore

The RYA Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate of Competence; is competent to skipper a sailing yacht on any passage during which the vessel is no more than 150Nm from safe harbour.

Exam Duration

• 8 to 12 hours for one candidate
• Between 5 and 9 hours per candidate, where more than one candidate is being examined.
• No more than two candidates can be examined in any 24 hour period.

Candidates will be set tasks to allow them to demonstrate their ability as skipper of an offshore cruising yacht and may be asked questions of any part of the syllabus for all courses except RYA Yachtmaster Ocean.

Practical Exam Pre Requirements

• Must be aged 18 or over and require
• A Radio Operator’s Qualification – A GMDSS Short Range Certificate (SRC) such as the RYA Short Range Certificate or a higher grade of marine radio certificate.
• A valid first aid certificate, any listed on the RYA website, this includes the RYA First Aid Certificate.
• Documented minimum sea time completed on a seagoing sailing yacht in the last 10 years:
  – 50 days at sea on yachts up to 500gt2;
  – 5 days as skipper on vessels less than 24m LOA;
  – 2500 miles on yachts up to 500gt2, half of which must be on vessels less than 24m LOA;
  – 5 passages over 60 miles long, which must include 2 overnight passages and 2 as skipper;

Note:
At least 50% of qualifying sea time must have been accrued in tidal waters.
Qualifying Passages must be non stop, by the shortest navigable route with no change in skipper.
Documented minimum sea time completed on a seagoing sailing yacht in the last 10 years.

Full details can be found on the RYA Website.