Looking for the Theory course? View Yachtmaster Ocean Theory Course.
The holder of a Yachtmaster Ocean Certificate is experienced and competent to skipper a yacht on passages of any length in all parts of the world.
There are 2 parts to the Yachtmaster Ocean Qualification:
The RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Ocean Certificate of Competence is obtained by an oral and a written test.
The candidate must provide the examiner with a narrative account of the planning and execution of the qualifying passage. This must include navigational records - completed on board a yacht on passage, out of sight of land, showing that the candidate have navigated the yacht without the use of electronic navigational aids.
The records must include as a minimum: planning, reduction and plotting of a sun-run meridian altritude sight and a compass check carried out using the bearing of the sun, moon, a star or a planet.
During the oral test the candidate may be required to answer questions on all aspects of ocean passage making in a yacht, including passage planning, navigation, worldwide meteorology, crew management and yacht preparation, maintenance and repairs.
The written exam will include questions on sights and sight reduction and worldwide meteorology. Candidates who hold the Certificate of Satisfactory Completion of the RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Ocean Shorebased Course, A Royal Navy Ocean Navigation Certificate of a MCS Certificate of Competence as a Deck Officer will be exempt from the written exam.
All candidates must:
Ocean candidates may take their sights on a shorter passage than the qualifying Passage. The examiner will determine whether the candidate is competent at astro navigation.
First Class Sailing hold Yachtmaster Ocean Shorebased courses periodically.
If you need help finding a berth on a qualifying passage we may be able to help as we hear of delivery trips needing crew.