RYA Yachtmaster Ocean

Yachtmaster Ocean Theory

This is a course in celestial navigation. This will long continue to be a very important backup skill and is considered by the MCA to be an essential part of the master’s training.
During this course you will unravel the mysteries of astro navigation, using a sextant, ocean passage making, worldwide meteorology and electronic navigation aids.
This course is for those aspiring to blue water cruising and is ideal for holders of the Yachtmaster Offshore certificate who are preparing for their first ocean passage.

Assessment: In addition to a course completion certificate from this course candidates must plan and execute a ’qualifying passage’ of at least 600nm, taken sights with a sextant, reduced them to a position on the chart and have checked the compass using a celestial body. They must also carry out practical sights at sea (Ocean Sights) and then present themselves for oral examination to an RYA examiner.
At Zephyr-Yachting we can also help you get organised to do your sights, if you have a group of 2 or more we will help with the organisation of the vessel and once you have your sights we can put you forward to an oral examiner.

Yachtmaster Ocean Oral Exam

The candidate must provide the examiner with the following:
•A narrative account of the planning and execution of the qualifying passage
•Navigational records, completed on board a vessel on passage, out of sight of land, showing that the candidate has navigated without the use of electronic navigational aids. The records must include as a minimum: planning, reduction and plotting of a sun-run-meridian altitude sight and a compass check carried out using the bearing of the sun, moon a star or planet.
During the oral exam the candidate maybe 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.

Yachtmaster Ocean written

The written exam will include questions on sights and sight reduction and worldwide meteorology.
Candidates who hold the certificate of satisfaction completion of the RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Ocean shorebased course, a Royal Navy Ocean Navigation Certificate or a MCA Certificate of Competence as a deck Officer will be exempt from the written examination.

Yachtmaster Ocean Sights

Zephyr Yachting will do all they can to help with any organisation you need in order to complete your sights. If you have a group of 4 or more we will organise your sights.

Course Dates:

Yachtmaster Ocean Theory (720 Euros):

Monday 25th of February to 1st March 2013

If these dates do not suit you, please contact Zephyr Yachting, with demand we will run more courses than listed above.