GUIDE TO THE YACHTMASTER QUALIFICATION: YACHTMASTER OCEAN
STEP 1: Attend a five day Yachtmaster Ocean theory course.
STEP 2: Prepare your ‘sights’. This is the student’s individual responsibility and not part of the theory course.
STEP 3: Meet with an independent examiner for oral assessment.
STEP 4: Qualify as an Ocean Master
This guide has been prepared by Aigua Sea School based on information provided by the Royal Yachting Association
(RYA). A Yachtmaster® Ocean is experienced and competent to skipper a yacht on passages of any length in all parts of
the world.
STEP 1: The Yachtmaster Ocean theory course is a five day course in astro-navigation, worldwide meteorology and
passage planning that also unravels the mysteries of the sextant.
Course type: THEORY
Suggested minimum pre-course experience: Coastal and offshore sailing
Assumed knowledge: Navigation to Coastal Skipper & Yachtmaster Offshore standard
Course content: Astro-navigation, ocean meteorology and passage planning.
Ability after course: Have the background knowledge to skipper a yacht on ocean passages, understanding how to
plan and navigate an ocean passage.
Following successful completion of the Yachtmaster® Ocean shore based theory course, and upon preparation of
your ‘sights’, you will be eligible to take the oral examination to qualify as an Ocean Master.
Qualifications required before examination:
1. Hold an RYA/MCA Yachtmaster® Offshore Certificate of Competence.
2. Have completed a qualifying passage as skipper or mate of a yacht, which meets the following criteria:
 The candidate was fully involved in the planning of the passage, including selection of route, navigational plan,
checking the material condition of the yacht and equipment, storage of spare gear, water and victuals and
organization of 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.
 Hold a valid first aid certificate.
Definition of passage:
Qualifying passages for Yachtmaster Ocean be non stop by the shortest navigable route with no change of skipper.
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 skipper.”
Candidates for the Ocean examination will be given the examiners instructions.
Ocean candidates may take their sights on a shorter passage than the qualifying passage.
The Examiner must determine whether the candidate is competent at astro navigation.
Form of examination:
The exam consists of an oral test.
AIGUA SEA SCHOOL, MALLORCA. Calle San Magin 68, 07013 Palma de Mallorca.
T: 871 230 373. M: 600 834 697. E: training@aiguaseaschool.com
STEP 3: Oral: The candidate must provide the examiner with:

A narrative account of the planning and execution of the qualifying passage;

Navigational records, completed on board a yacht on passages out of sight of land, showing that the candidate
has 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 altitude sight and
compass check carried out using the bearing of the sun, moon, a star or 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 RYA examination fee is payable at the time of examination.
In summary, before booking an exam please check the following:
1
You have completed the required mileage and experience as skipper
2
You hold a VHF Radio Operators Licence or Short Range Certificate
3
You hold a valid First Aid certificate
4
You have read the syllabus in RYA publications; G15 (sail) or G18 (power)
5
You have read and comply with the eligibility requirements for this exam
STEP 4: Yachtmaster Ocean commercial endorsement
A commercial endorsement is printed onto your RYA certificate of competence and shows that you have undergone
additional training and a medical fitness test, enabling you to work on board commercial vessels. There are two types
of commercial endorsement:
The standard commercial endorsement allows you work on board British flagged vessels which are subject to the
MCA’s codes of practice for small commercial vessels.
The following wording would appear on your certificate:
“This certificate is valid for use as a Master of yachts of up to 200gt on commercially and privately registered
yachts until (date of expiry)”
The STCW endorsement is for holders of the RYA Yachtmaster® Ocean certificates of competence working under nonUK maritime authorities. It requires you to take four additional courses:
 Personal Survival techniques (RYA Basic Sea Survival certificate or STCW A-V1/1-1)
 Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities (STCW A-V1/1-4)
 Elementary first aid (STCW A-V1/1-3)
 Fire fighting and fire prevention (STCW A-V1/1-2)
The following wording would appear on your certificate:
“The certificate holder complies with STCW 95 regulations V1/1 Sections V1/1-4. This certificate is valid for
use as a Master of yachts of up to 200gt on commercially and privately registered yachts until (date of
expiry)”
The Certificate you require will depend on the area of operation under the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA)
Codes of Practice. Commercial vessels under 24 metres are surveyed and certified for different categories of use as
detailed below:
CATEGORY
AREA
0: Worldwide
1: Up to 150M from Safe Haven
2: Up to 60M from Safe Haven
SKIPPER
QUALIFICATION
RYA Yachtmaster Ocean*
RYA Yachtmaster Offshore*
RYA Yachtmaster Offshore*
MATE
MEDICAL
QUALIFICATION
REQUIRED
RYA Yachtmaster Offshore ENG1
RYA Coastal Skipper
ENG1
Experienced Person
ML5 or ENG1
(as identified by the Skipper)
AIGUA SEA SCHOOL, MALLORCA. Calle San Magin 68, 07013 Palma de Mallorca.
T: 871 230 373. M: 600 834 697. E: training@aiguaseaschool.com