MCA RYA Yachtmaster Ocean (Sail)
The holder of a Yachtmaster Ocean Certificate of Competence is experienced and competent to skipper a yacht on passages of any length, in all parts of the world, with no restrictions from shore.
- Pre-Exam Requirements
- Candidates must be aged 18 or over, and require:
- MCA RYA Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate of Competence
- MCA RYA Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate of Competence
- First Aid
- A valid first aid certificate. First aid qualifications from the Police, Fire and Armed Forces are acceptable, along with the STCW 95 Elementary First Aid Certificate.
- Ocean Qualifying Passage
- As the skipper or mate of a yacht, you must have been fully involved with the planning of the passage. This must include route selection, the navigational plan, checking the material condition of the yacht and its equipment, storage of spare gear, checking of 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 sailing for a least 96 hours, and the yacht must have been more than 50 miles from land while sailing a distance of at least 200 miles
- Qualifying passages should be non stop by the shortest navigable route with no change of skipper. Passages such as recognised races which may not comply exactly with these requirements may be submitted to the RYA for approval before the voyage.
- The following definition will apply: “Throughout the passage the candidate must have acted in a responsible capacity either in sole charge of watch or as skipper”
- If you’re choosing to do this on a commercial vessel as a paying client please check that the vessel’s coding is category 1 or 0—anything less and you’re putting yourself in danger. If you contribute anything towards being on such a passage on any vessel, then the yacht should be coded to this category. If in doubt contact the MCA helpline, detailing the vessel and planned route, and they will inform you if the yacht is coded for the planned trip. MCA helpline telephone: +44 2920448800. MCA helpline email: hq_inspection@mcga.gov.uk.
- Assessment Duration
- A half day oral assessment with an independent MCA RYA Yachtmaster Ocean Examiner. You must provide your examiner with a narrative account of the planning and execution of your qualifying passage. Navigational records, completed on board the yacht on passage, out of sight of land, showing that you have navigated the yacht without use of electronic navigational aids. The records must include at a minimum: planning, reduction and plotting of a sun-run-meridian altitude sight and compass check carried out using the bearing of the sun, moon, a star or a planet.
- During your oral test you may be required to answer questions on all aspects of ocean passage making, including passage planning, navigation, worldwide metrology, crew management and yacht preparation, maintenance and repair.
- The written test will include questions on sights and sight reduction and worldwide metrology. If you hold the Yachtmaster Ocean Theory certificate, a Royal Navy Ocean Navigation Certificate or a MCA Certificate of Competence as a Deck Officer, you’ll be exempt from the written examination.
- Certificate
- MCA RYA Yachtmaster Ocean Certificate of Competence
- Price
- Exam fees payable directly to the RYA on your application form, these are currently £147
