RYA / MCA Ocean Yachtmaster

This qualification is for the long distance sailor.  The exam is normally about 1 & 1/2 hours long, is based on land and is in the form of an oral assessment of sights taken at sea.  You need to have done an ocean passage as skipper or mate of a watch and already have a RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate of Competence and the Yachtmaster Ocean Shorebased Course Completion Certificate.

 

You have to have been 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 with spare gear, water and victuals and organising the watch-keeping routine.

 

During the passage a minimum non-stop distance of 600nm 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 50nm from land while sailing a distance of at least 200 miles.