There’s a lot of blue sea out there… listen to it calling…
RYA Yachtmaster Ocean Theory & Certificate of Competence
Before you cast off your bowlines and set sail for the horizon, make sure you’re fully prepared with the RYA Yachtmaster Ocean theory course and Certificate of Competence. If you want the excitement of blue water cruising then this advanced theory course is the one for you.
There are three steps to attaining your Ocean Certificate of Competence:
- Complete the Yachtmaster Ocean theory course
- Undertake an ocean passage (over 600 miles) and take sights
- Attend a Yachtmaster Ocean examination.
The RYA states:
A person holding a Yachtmaster Ocean qualification is experienced and competent to skipper a yacht on passages of any length in all parts of the world.
The RYA Yachtmaster Ocean theory course is ideal for Yachtmaster Offshore skippers who are preparing for their first ocean passage. Our extremely experienced instructors at Bluewater Sailing will tutor you through the complex skills of astro-navigation and using a sextant. Candidates will benefit from learning about:
- Ocean passage making
- Worldwide meteorology
- Using electronic navigation aids at sea
- The earth and the celestial sphere
- Practical guide to use and care of sextant at sea
- Meridian altitudes
- Sun, star and other sights.
Bluewater Sailing teaches this course three times year – contact us for the schedule. The theory course is run over 40 hours and has one written exam paper. It is covered as an intensive shore based course here on sunny Grenada. Prior to the course, your navigation skills should be at the standard of the RYA Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaster Offshore theory course.
If you are aiming to undertake the RYA Yachtmaster Ocean Certificate of Competence, completion of this shore based theory course exempts you from the final written exam.
RYA Yachtmaster Ocean Exam
After you have completed an ocean passage of over 600 miles, you should book to attend the Yachtmaster Ocean exam in order to attain your Certificate of Competence. This is an oral and written test of your knowledge of ocean passage making. It will cover topics such as:
- Planning
- Navigation
- Worldwide meteorology
- Crew management
- Yacht preparation
- Maintenance and repairs
- Questions on your sights taken at sea during an ocean passage.
For more information on what is included on the Yachtmaster Ocean exam check out the RYA’s notes for examiners. Below you can see the prerequisites for the exam:
Yachtmaster Ocean Exam Prerequisites |
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| Minimum sea time | Ocean passage as skipper or mate of watch. The candidate was fully involved in the planning of the passage, including selection of the route, the navigational plan, checking the material condition of the yacht and her equipment, storing spare gear, water and victuals and organising the watch-keeping routine; During the passage a minimum non-stop distance of 600 miles must have been run by the log, the yacht must have been at sea continuously for at least 96 hours and the yacht must have been more than 50 miles from land while sailing a distance of at least 200 miles. Please see the ‘definition of passage’. All qualifying sea time must be within 10 years prior to the exam.Click here to see the definition of a passage. |
| Form of exam | Oral and written assessment of sights take at sea. If you hold the Yachtmaster Ocean shore-based certificate you are exempt from the written assessment. |
| Certification required | Hold a DoT Yachtmaster Coastal Certificate issued prior to 1973 or an RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate of Competence. An RYA/MCA Coastal Skipper Certificate does not qualify. A restricted (VHF only) Radio Operators Certificate or a GMDSS Short Range Certificate or higher grade of marine radio certificate. A valid first aid certificate – click here for a list of acceptable first aid certificates. |
| Minimum exam duration | Approximately 1.5 hours |
For people working at sea the RYA advises:
If you need a Yachtmaster Ocean Certificate of Competence in order to work on board a commercial craft subject to the MCA’s codes of practice, you will need to get it commercially endorsed. You can then work worldwide as a Master of commercial vessels of up to 200gt.
The Yachtmaster Ocean Certificate of Competence can be used commercially in its own right. It is also a prerequisite for the MCA’s Chief Mate, Master 500, and Master 3000 qualifications.
Imagine… just you and the ocean. Contact us to plan your dreams.