IMPORTANT: **** WE DO NOT OFFER THE ORAL EXAM (USUALLY DONE IN THE UK OR AUSTRALIA) ****
WE ONLY OFFER THE OCEAN THEORY COURSE (click here for details).
A person holding a RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Ocean qualification is experienced and competent to skipper a yacht on passages of any length in all parts of the world. Full details of the exam syllabus and requirements are shown in the RYA’s Sail Cruising Logbook (code G15) which we can supply.
The RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Ocean exam is a two part exam (oral and written) where you will be tested on your knowledge of ocean passage making including planning, navigation, worldwide meteorology, crew management, yacht preparation, maintenance and repairs. You will also be questioned on your sights taken at sea during an ocean passage.
Those who have passed the RYA/MCA Ocean Theory course are exempt from the written test.
For an idea of how the exam will be run, take a look at our Notes for Examiners.
| Pre-course Certification Requirements: | 1. Hold a RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate of Competence or Officer of the Watch (Yachts 3000gt) issued by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency. |
| Pre-course Practical Requirements: | Ocean passage as skipper or mate of watch. The candidate was 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 spare gear, 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 at sea continuously for at least 96 hours and the yacht must have been more than 50 miles from land while sailing a distance of at least 200 miles. Please see the definition of a passage in the Itinerary tabbed section below. All qualifying seatime must be within 10 years prior to the exam. |
| Pre-course Theory Requirements: | Well practiced in the full syllabus as detailed in the RYA’s Sail Cruising Logbook (code G15). Navigation theory to RYA Ocean Theory course standard |
| Course duration: | Approximately 1½hr for the oral exam and 1¾hr written paper. Those who have completed the Yachtmaster Ocean Shorebased Course are exempt from the written exam. |
| Minimum age: | 18 years old. |
| What’s Included: | Exam moderator and exam room. |
| Cost: | RYA Exam Fee (HK$1,800) + RYA Examiners transport and accommodation (will depend on where the examiner is sourced) |
| Optional Cost: | If you need a Commercial Endorsement to a Yachtmaster™ Certificate of Competence (in order to work on board a commercial craft subject the MCA’s codes of practice) there is an extra charge paid directly to the RYA on applicaiton. |
| Award: | RYA/MCA Yachtmaster™ Ocean Certificate of Competence. |
Definition of a Passage:
- Qualifying passages for Yachtmaster Ocean and Offshore 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.
- Trainee skippers undertaking 60 mile passages are strongly advised to obtain a Coastal Skipper qualification first.
- For Ocean passages the following definition will apply. “Throughout the passage the candidate must have acted in a responsible capacity either in sole charge of a watch or as a skipper”.
- 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.
Examiners are responsible for establishing the level of a candidate’s competence during the exam.
Where a candidate’s qualifying mileage is doubtful examiners will question the candidate carefully.
Passage planning documentation.
Sights taken on passage.
Booking
We don’t currently offer this exam.