Yachtmaster Preparation (Coastal and Offshore)

RYA Yachtmaster Coastal / YM Prep + MCA/RYA Exam

£995 per person.

The RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Coastal Certificate of Competence examination is the next natural step for those who have completed the RYA Coastal Skipper course and have completed some coastal sailing since in order to put the lessons learnt into practice.

The holder of an RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Coastal Certificate of Competence has the knowledge needed to skipper a yacht on coastal passages, but does not necessarily have the experience needed to undertake longer offshore passages.

The theory knowledge required for the RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Coastal Certificate of Competence is the same as that for Yachtmaster Offshore, but less practical experience and skill is required.

This is a busy 5 days of Preparation, and tasks will be set both day and night. Early in the course your experienced instructor will give you an honest appraisal of your chances of success and will then address any weaknesses that may have been highlighted.

During the course you will take command of the yacht on short passages in the South Coast of Cornwall by day and night and practice lots of close quarters boat handling techniques under sail and power.

The instructor will tailor the course to your specific needs however our experience leads us to emphasize the following subjects: passage planning, man overboard recovery, close quarters handling under sail and power, skippering techniques, navigation in restricted visibility, pilotage and knowledge of the International Collision Regulations.

Before joining the course, students should have the pre-requisite experience outlined below, navigation theory to the level of the RYA Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaster theory course and a thorough knowledge of the Collision Regulations.

At the end of the 5 day course your instructor will give you a debrief and leave you feeling relaxed and confident in your ability to take the examination should you feel ready to do so.

For the YM Coastal candidate you must, as a minimum, have the following:

• A Minimum of 30 days aboard, 2 days as skipper, 800 miles logged, 12 night hours (Half the qualifying seatime must have been conducted in tidal waters).
• DSC VHF operators certificate
• Valid first aid certificate
• If an RYA Coastal Skipper completion certificate is held mileage is reduced to 400.
• Current theory knowledge to RYA Coastal Yachtmaster Theory. We most strongly recommend this is done before attending this preparation. There is not the time to learn this and prepare to give yourself a great chance of passing at the first attempt.

For the YM Offshore candidate, the following qualifications and experience are required:

• Minimum 50 days aboard, 5 days as skipper, 2500 miles logged, 5 passages of over 60 miles including 2 overnight and 2 as skipper (Half the qualifying sea time must have been conducted in tidal waters).
• DSC VHF radio operators certificate
• Valid first aid certificate.
• Current theory knowledge to RYA Coastal/Yachtmaster theory. We most strongly recommend this is done before attending this preparation. There is not the time to learn this and prepare to give yourself a great chance of passing at the first attempt.

The Examination

Please Note: The Candidate is responsible for setting up an account (if not an RYA member) and paying for the Exam directly to the RYA.

Details can be found in https://www.rya.org.uk/support/exam-payments-service.

The RYA will notify Cornish Sailing Academy and the Candidate of the Examiners Name.

It is normally practical that the Examiner will arrive on the afternoon of Day 5 or the following day.

The Yacht will be made available, at no extra cost, for the 6th day of use.

The Exam will be of 8-12 hours duration.