The Yachtmaster (offshore) qualification is the highest level course that is offered by the RYA. It is the entry level qualification required for those wishing to work in the marine leisure industry. It builds on skills and training that have been acquired through Day Skipper and Coastal Skipper level qualifications.

The aim of the course is to teach the skills and techniques required to skipper a cruising yacht (7-15m LOA) safely on coastal and offshore passaages by day and night.

This course is the Yachtmaster Preparation course.

The course includes the following:

• Passage planning
• Preparation for sea, including safety requirements for offshore passages
• Pilotage
• Passage making
• Ability as a skipper
• Yacht handling under power
• Yacht handling under sail
• Dealing with adverse weather conditions
• Emergency situations

The course is taught over five days, on board one of our yachts in the Solent and surrounding waters.

A good level of skill on board a boat is required in order to take the Yachtmaster qualification. We would strongly recommend that you also have completed, or are skilled to the level of Coastal Skipper / Yachtmaster navigation.

In order to receive a Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate of Competence, you are required to take a practical exam of around 8 to 12 hours.

In addition, the following pre-exam requirements must be met:

• Hold at least a restricted (VHF) Radio Operator's Certificate or GMDSS Short Range certificate
• Hold a valid first aid certificate
• Seatime:
  • Have logged 2,500 miles seatime in the prior 10 years, half of which must have been in tidal waters
  • Including 5 passages over 60 miles measured along the rhumb line from the port of departure to the destination,
  • Acting as skipper for at least two of these passages and including 2 which have involved overnight passages.
  • 5 days as skipper
  • We recommend that your sea miles will have been gained in not less than 18 months, on a variety of boats, passages, and in racing and cruising experiences.

The cost for this course is £525 (ex VAT). For more information on this course, or to book, please complete our online enquiry form.