Find out About the Yachtmaster Ocean Theory & Practical Training, (both Online & Shorebased)
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RYA Yachtmaster Ocean
An RYA Ocean certifies an individual as competent to captain a vessel up to 24m in length on passages unlimited by distance. With the addition of the STCW basic training modules, the RYA Yachtmaster Ocean (practical and theory certificates required) may be endorsed as a commercial MCA Master of Yachts 200GT / Officer of the Yachts (500GT) Unlimted. The RYA Yachtmaster Ocean or IYT Master of Yachts Unlimted certificates are also requirements for the Chief Mate (Yachts 3000), Master of Yachts 3000 or Master of Yachts 500 Certificates of Competency.
RYA Yachtmaster Ocean Theory
The theory component of the Yachtmaster Ocean course assumes candidates either hold a Yachtmaster Offshore or the knowledge of such shore-based courses. Although a Yachtmaster Offshore is not a prerequisite to enroll in the Theory course, candidates must hold a Yachtmaster Offshore in order to attain an RYA Yachtmaster Ocean CoC by passing the final exam.
Completion of the theory course will result in exemption from the written component of the final exam (only the oral exam will remain) provided the theory exam is written under invigilated conditions at an RYA-approved training center.
RYA Yachtmaster Ocean Theory Topics
- PZX Triangle
- Star Sight Planning
- Merpass / Meridian Altitudes
- The Sextant
- Time Zone / Measurement of time
- Sun - Moon
- Planet Sights
- Star Sights
- Star Sight Planning
- Latitude by Polaris
- Compass Checking
- Satelite Navigation Systems
- Meterology
- Passage Planning
- Passage Making
- Communicating at Sea
Yachtmaster Theory Online:
If you wish to study at your own pace, the Yachtmaster Theory can be studied as an online course. At the end of the Yachtmaster online theory course, an exam can be written online or in a classroom environment. If you wish to take the Yachtmaster Ocean final exam in order to gain your certificate of competence, you will have to write an additional theory exam unless your exam was invigilated (at an RYA-approved Centre) at the end of your online course.
Yachtmaster Ocean Exam Requirements / Prerequisites:
In addition to holding an RYA Yachtmaster Certificate of Competence (or an MCA OOW Yachts less than 3000gt) the candidate must complete a qualifying passage on board a sailing or motor yacht up to 500gt.
*Candidates must hold an OOW (Yachts less than 3000gt) in order to claim qualifying passages on vessels greater than 24m LOA.*
Yachtmaster Ocean Qualifying Passage:
In addition to the above requirements the RYA Yachtmaster Ocean qualifying passage must meet the following requirements:
- 600M including at least 200M more than 50 miles from land or charted objects capable of being used for navigation;
- Duration of at least 96 hours;
- The candidate must have taken a full part in the planning and preparation of the passage, including a navigational plan, checking the material condition of the yacht and her equipment; storing with spare gear, fuel, water, and victuals.
- Throughout the passage, the candidate must have acted in a responsible capacity, either in sole charge of a watch or as a skipper.
- Candidates must have successfully navigated a yacht at sea by Astro navigation. As a minimum, this should include the planning, reduction, and plotting of a sun-run-meridian altitude or sun-run-sun sight and a compass check carried out using the bearing of the sun, moon, star, or planet.
The minimum qualifying passage must have been accrued within 10 years of the examination date.
*If passages were done on a vessel greater than 500gt, the RYA should be contacted.*
RYA Yachtmaster Ocean Exam:
The Yachtmaster Ocean examination is a combination of oral and written assessments which take approximately 1.5 hours.
If candidates have completed and passed the RYA Yachtmaster Ocean Theory course, they are exempt from the written component of the exam. It is essential that the Theory exam is invigilated at an RYA Training center in order for this written component to be exempt from the final exam.
The exam is an assessment of the sights taken at sea during an ocean passage as well as other areas of ocean passages.
This includes:
- Planning
- Navigation
- Worldwide meteorology
- Crew management
- Yacht preparation
- Maintenance, and repairs
