rya yachtmaster certificate of competence

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RYA Yachtmaster Scheme MCA Examinations / Certificates of Competence

Introduction

These sailing qualifications are recognised around the world as a clear mark of your sailing ability. Unlike a Day Skipper or Coastal Skippers Certificate there is no RYA Course or Syllabus to follow. Simply they are a test of your sailing ability conducted by an examiner, authorised to do so by the RYA.

Sailing Schools offer a preparation course running straight into the exam both of which normally run over a period of 7 days. It should be noted that these course are designed for you to brush up on some specific skills and areas of the exam that you will be tested on and not teach you how to sail. So you should have all the necessary experience prior to joining the course and be a confident sailor.

For some, Yachtmaster exams are taken just for a sense of achievement and offer a way of improving your sailing knowledge and techniques. For others wishing to embark on a career in the marine industry they are essential qualifications to achieve.

In this article we take a look at

• The RYA Yachtmaster Scheme
• Benefits of taking a 5 Day Preparation Course

Pre Exam Requirements

• Exam duration
• Converting between Sail & Power
• Working Commercially

Qualifications within the RYA Yachtmaster Scheme

Yachtmaster Coastal

Yachtmaster Offshore

Yachtmaster Ocean

Definitions

RYA Yachtmaster Coastal Skipper : Not to be confused with the Coastal Skipper course completion certificate, the Yachtmaster Coastal is the first of the Yachtmaster Scheme qualifications.

At this level you are deemed to have the knowledge needed to skipper a yacht on coastal cruises but not necessarily the experience needed to undertake longer passages.

During the exam you will be set tasks to demonstrate your ability to skipper a yacht and may be asked questions on all aspects of the RYA Cruising Scheme from Competent Crew to Coastal Skipper.

RYA Yachtmaster Offshore : The most widely recognised qualification and anyone holding this certificate is deemed to be competent to skipper a cruising yacht on longer passages but not more than 150 nm from harbour.

The examiner will be set tasks to test your ability as skipper of an offshore cruising yacht and you will be asked questions on any part of the syllabus for all courses except the Yachtmaster Ocean.

RYA Yachtmaster Ocean : Considered as the pinnacle within the sailing world and commonly taken by those seeking a career in the marine industry. You have sufficient experience to skipper a yacht on passages of any length in all parts of the world.

The exam consists of a written and oral test of 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.

RYA Yachtmaster Scheme

Certificates awarded within the RYA Cruising Scheme, such as the Day Skipper or Coastal Skipper are awarded by your instructor at the end of your course on the basis of continual assessment assuming you can demonstrate your abilities for the level you are at. There is a set syllabus and the courses are intended to teach you how to sail as well as improve your sailing skills.

MCA/RYA Certificates of Competence are awarded after a short practical assessment by independent examiners. They are designed to test your ability to skipper a yacht and are some of the most widely recognised and credible yachting qualifications available.

The RYA oversees the Yachtmaster Scheme on behalf of the MCA. Carefully chosen Yachtmaster examiners will assess both your sailing and skippering abilities.

Whilst Sailing Schools run a 5-day preparation course in advance of your examination aimed to bring you up to speed and prepare you for your exam. It is assumed that you already have the knowledge and the sailing skills required for the level you are being examined for.

Just like the RYA Cruising Scheme, you can join the Yachtmaster Scheme at any stage. You do not need to have completed any of the shore-based courses and nor do you need to complete a preparation course before taking your exam.

So if you are confident enough and sufficiently well prepared you can simply book an examiner through the RYA and take the test on your own yacht or one that you have chartered in.

However, most people appreciate that by taking a 5-day preparation course in advance of your exam will significantly increase your chances of passing.

Reasons for taking a Yachtmaster Prep Course

The whole purpose of a Yachtmaster Prep course is to prepare you for your exam and be challenged by an instructor who understands what an examiner is looking for. To find areas where you are weakest and allow you the opportunity to practice and develop your skills.

It is an advanced and intensive course and certainly no holiday and whilst you may be an experienced yachts person it is not often that you will practice the following

• Advanced skippering techniques
• Close quarter berthing in various and challenging conditions of wind and tide
• Picking up a buoy under sail
• Weighing or lowering anchor under sail
• Boat handling in confined areas under sail
• Man overboard recovery techniques
• Advanced Navigation
• Blind Navigation

The course is largely a practical course and designed to hone your sailing and boat handling skills. Whilst you will cover certain areas of theoretical knowledge it is important that you are fully up to speed with regards to the following before attending the course.

• International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea
• Meteorology

By attending a course you will undoubtedly learn a new set of skills and it will importantly get you into the mindset so that you are fully prepared to take the exam.

Format of the Course & What to Expect

Courses run for 5 days starting on a Friday evening. The exam follows immediately after the course and can run for up to 48 hours depending on the level and number of candidates.

We restrict the number of students down to a maximum of 4 persons to give everyone as much practical hands-on time as possible. The courses are run on board one of our 36 – 39-foot sailing yachts which are based in Mercury Yacht Harbour on the River Hamble. The courses are run within the Solent where you can practice navigation, pilotage and boat handling in a whole different range of different tidal and weather conditions. Ultimately there is little benefit in sailing in a straight line so it is highly unlikely you will venture out of the Solent opting to focus more on the entering and exiting as many ports as possible.

The first evening is all about getting to know the other students and your skipper. It is unlikely that you will leave the marina that night but you will cover certain safety briefings so as to maximise the available time the following day.

During the next 5 days, you will hop from port to port within the Solent. You will live onboard for the full five days, each of you will take it in turns to be the skipper of the day and take responsibility for the crew and general running of the yacht.

Whilst there is no set syllabus to follow there are certain standard areas that the instructor will cover in order to prepare you for the exam. The rest of the course, however, is up to you and everyone else on board to determine based on areas of weakness and what needs to be practised.

You will focus on areas of boat and sail handling and be encouraged to push yourself outside of your comfort zone so as to build up your confidence prior to the exam.

We aim to end the course mid-afternoon on Wednesday so that you have some downtime to relax and calm any nerves prior to the examiner joining on Wednesday evening.

Format & Nature of the Exam

If you are booking a Yachtmaster Preparation course through a Sailing School then the School will arrange an examiner for you.

You will be required to prepare a passage plan for a fictitious sailing trip in advance of the examiner joining the yacht. You will be asked to do this under exam conditions and without the assistance of your instructor or other students. The examiner will give your instructor basic details of a trip from which you will need to create a detailed passage plan. This will get collected by your examiner at the beginning of your exam and be expected to answer questions on the reasoning of your passage plan during the course of your exam !!

It is highly likely that your examiner will want to set off straight away in order to carry out part of the assessment which will take place at night, so be prepared !! The examiner will nominate one person, in turn, to act as skipper and to take responsibility for the yacht. And whilst the obvious pressure will be on this person, at the same time the examiner will be quizzing and watching everyone else to see how you all behave and interact onboard.

You will moor up or anchor somewhere for a few hours overnight before continuing with the assessment the next day. But don’t forget that you are being continually assessed so stay on your guard at all times.

Whilst this is naturally a pressured environment the examiner is there to find out what you know and ultimately wants you to pass. They will do all they can to relax and encourage you to demonstrate that you have the right abilities to pass, so relax and try to act as normally as you can.

Depending on the number of candidates the exam can take anything up to 48 hours. At the end of the exam, you will be told immediately whether you have been successful or not.

Exam Fees are normally payable directly to the examiner and in addition to the course fee charged by the sailing school.

Yachtmaster Offshore Exam Fee – £210 Yachtmaster Coastal Exam Fee – £181

Min Age… 17 years

Sea time…

• 800 miles logged within 10 years of the exam
• 30 days living onboard
• 2 Days as Skipper
• 12 Night Hours

Certificates…

• Radio Operators Licence
• Valid First Aid Certificate

For holders of the Coastal Skipper Practical Course Completion Certificate the sea time is reduced to

• 20 days living onboard
• 12 night hours
• 2 days as skipper

Half the qualifying miles must have conducted in tidal waters

Min Age… 18 years

• 2,500 miles logged within 10 years of the exam
• 50 days living onboard

5 Passages over 60 miles

• 2 of these passages as Skipper

2 of these passages having involved sailing overnight 5 Days experience as skipper

All candidates must

Hold a RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate of Competence

Have completed, as skipper or mate of a yacht a qualifying passage which meets the following criteria

a) Candidate fully involved in the planning of the passage, including selection of the route, the navigation plan, checking the material condition of the yacht and her equipment, storing with spare gear, water and victuals and organising the watch keeping routine.

b) During the passage a minimum join 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.

c) Hold First Aid qualification as for Yachtmaster Offshore

Exam Duration

The exam will take about 6 to 10 hours for one candidate and 8 – 14 hours for two.

The exam will take about 8 to 12 hours for one candidate and 10 – 18 hours for two.

The exam consists of a written and oral test.

Own Boat Exams

As well as saving money, if you own your own boat then it is logical that you would prefer to be examined on a yacht that is familiar to you.

There are a few requirements

• Not less than 7 meters
• Sound & Seaworthy Condition
• Equipped to standards set out in the RYA book Cruising Yacht Safety C8
• Up to date charts and navigational publications
• Efficiently crewed as the examiner will not take part in the management of the yacht during the exam

To book an exam simply contact the RYA.

Converting between Sail and Power

Holders of a Yachtmaster Coastal or Yachtmaster Offshore certificate may take a conversion exam from sail to power or power to sail. Please note that the exam for converting from power to sail may take slightly longer.

The exam will take about 3 hours and you may be asked on any aspects of the syllabus but will concentrate on those section which are notably different between sailing vessels and power boats.

Mileage must be in the type of vessel you are converting to and must be within 10 years prior to the exam. Half of the qualifying sea time must have been conducted in tidal waters.

Yachtmaster Coastal Conversion Exams

• Minimum 400 miles
• 12 Days living onboard

Yachtmaster Offshore Conversion Exams

• Minimum 1250 miles
• 25 Days living onboard
• 3 Days as Skipper
• 3 Passages over 60 miles including 1 overnight and 1 as Skipper

Commercial Endorsements

If you are planning on working commercially then the use of Yachtmaster Coastal, Yachtmaster Offshore and Yachtmaster Ocean certificates is permitted for the skippers of these vessels provided that the certificates are commercially endorsed. Commercial endorsements are valid for 5 years.

How to obtain a Commercial Endorsement

You will need to send your Yachtmasters Certificate to the RYA with the following

• Medical Fitness Certificate – Link to Medical Fitness Form
• Attend a sea survival course

STCW Endorsements

Standard of Training and Certification of Watchkeepers

For larger vessels and for certain administrations you may be required to hold an STCW 95 endorsement. It is commonly required if you are working outside of the UK on non UK flagged vessels.

You will be required to attend 4 courses

• STCW Personal Survival techniques
• STCW Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities
• STCW Elementary First Aid
• STCW Fire Fighting and Fire Prevention

Renewing your STCW Endorsement can be achieved by sending the following to the RYA

• A covering letter requesting the STCW endorsement
• Your original Certificate
• New Passport Photograph
• Evidence of completion of the STCW course
• Fee payable to the RYA

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Working as an RYA Yachtmaster

Your qualification must be appropriate to the vessel and area of operation. For commercial use, all certificates must be commercially endorsed .

Working with an RYA Yachtmaster® Coastal certificate

A commercially endorsed Yachtmaster Coastal Certificate of Competence will enable you to skipper vessels up to 24 metres in length, operating in category 3,4,5, and 6 waters - up to 20 miles from a safe haven.

Working with an RYA Yachtmaster® Offshore certificate

A commercially endorsed Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate of Competence will enable you to work as a Master of commercial vessels of up to 200gt in category 1 to 6 waters - that is up to 150 miles from a safe haven.

This Certificate of Competence can used commercially in its own right, or as a pre-requisite for the MCA's Officer of the Watch qualification, which enables you to work worldwide on vessels of up to 3000gt.

Working with an RYA Yachtmaster® Ocean certificate

A commercially endorsed Yachtmaster Ocean Certificate of Competence will enable you to work worldwide as a Master of commercial vessels of up to 200gt.

This Certificate of Competence can be used commercially in its own right. It is also a pre-requisite for the MCA's Chief Mate, Master 500 and Master 3000 qualifications.

For more information about working with RYA qualifications, the categorisation of waters and required certification click here . 

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What is an RYA Yachtmaster?

The RYA Yachtmaster certificate of competence, your driving license, so to speak, is the aim of most skippers who are looking for reassurance that they have met the highest of standards. The RYA Yachtmaster is a highly regarded qualification and is respected around the world.

Becoming an RYA Yachtmaster allows the holder to work in the maritime industry as a professional skipper, Superyacht Crew, RYA instructor, plus so much more.

As a professional skipper, you can take charge (skipper) of a vessel up to 24 meters in length on a coastal, offshore, or ocean passage, depending on the qualification achieved. Qualifying as a Yachtmaster is a gateway to employment as a professional skipper. It shows that you are an experienced and competent skipper.

Becoming a Yachtmaster requires no format training, provided you have the correct experience and sea time, you can put yourself forward for the exam. You will need to provide your own boat and crew of course. You can  contact the RYA  who can put you in touch with an RYA Yachtmaster examiner.

Most people choose complete some training before sitting the RYA Yachtmaster exam. There is a structured route from beginner to RYA Yachtmaster so getting your Yachtmaster

Yachtmaster Coastal, Offshore or Ocean

There are three qualification paths depending on whether you like to potter around the coast or sail across an ocean.

Yachtmaster Coastal Certificate

The Yachtmaster Coastal Certificate is for anyone who sail in coastal or protected waters, say no more than 20 miles from the coast. If you would like to learn more about navigation, sailing at night, rules of the road, safety, mooring, pilotage, and passage planning then the Yachtmaster Coastal is for you.

Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate

The Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate of Competence has been the certificate that most people gravitate to. A Yachtmaster Offshore will have all the knowledge of Yachtmaster Coastal but would also have extensive experience crewing and skippering offshore. Skippers who want confirmation they have the experience and competence to take a yacht offshore choose this option. Once qualified as a Yachtmaster, the certificate allows the holder to skipper a vessel up to 150 miles from shore. The Yachtmaster Offshore is the gateway to employment, most employers ask for the Offshore or Ocean qualification.

Yachtmaster Ocean Certificate

You would sit your Yachtmaster Ocean exam if you wanted to sail a yacht around the world. The main difference between Yachtmaster Offshore and Ocean is Celestial Navigation. Celestial Navigation for Yachtmaster Ocean is the knowledge to navigate by the sun and stars. The theory being, if you lose all your electronic equipment on board, you can fix your position using a  sextant .

To sit the Yachtmaster Ocean oral exam you would have already passed the RYA Yachtmaster Offshore exam. In addition to the knowledge gained as a Yachtmaster Offshore you are required to complete an ocean passage of more than 600 miles. During the ocean passage will need to have the ability to use a sextant to fix your position.

Yachtmaster Power or Sail?

You can qualify as a Yachtmaster Power or Yachtmaster Sail, depending on what type of boat you like to spend your time on.

Working as a professional Yachtmaster

As mentioned above once you have qualified as an RYA Yachtmaster then you are able to seek work as a professional skipper. There are hundreds of qualified skippers out there that have turned their passion into a job.

The Yachtmaster Offshore certificate, Power or Sail is now considered necessary if you are looking for a job as a Lead Deckhand on a  Superyacht .

Becoming a Yachtmaster

If you are considering getting an RYA Yachtmaster Qualification and don’t know where to start then there are training courses that can help you achieve your goal.

There are fast-track and  zero to hero yachtmaster courses , to get you up to the level you need to be.

The training courses offered will provide all the theory and practical experience required to qualify as an RYA Yachtmaster. Here at Flying Fish, we offer courses for a beginner Yachtmaster to Coastal,  Offshore  or  Ocean .

• Certificates of Competence
• RYA Yachtmaster Offshore exam

RYA Yachtmaster Offshore Exam

Full details of the exam syllabus and requirements are shown in the RYA Yachtmaster Scheme Syllabus and Logbook (G158) available from the webshop (see right).

RYA Yachtmaster Offshore practical exams can be taken under sail or power and your certificate will be endorsed accordingly. The candidate or a training centre provides the boat and the RYA provides an examiner. Note: All qualifying sea time and passages must be gained on vessels appropriate to the type of exam i.e. gained in sailing vessels for a sail exam and power vessels for a power exam.

There is no formal training course leading up to the exam, but those who have not previously taken RYA courses often find it useful to book themselves in for some informal training at an RYA centre prior to their exam. This training can be tailor-made to your specific needs and helps to fill any gaps in your knowledge that may become apparent.

The exam will include an assessment of your skippering skills, boat handling, general seamanship, navigation, safety awareness and knowledge of the IRPCS, meteorology and signals.

Boats used for exams

You may use your own boat or a boat that you have chartered or borrowed. You will be responsible for ensuring the boat is seaworthy and suitable for the area in which the exam takes place and equipped as shown below.

The boat used must be between 7m and 18m (LOA) and be in sound, seaworthy condition, equipped to the standard set out in the RYA Boat Safety Handbook 2nd Edition (code G103). The boat must be equipped with a full up to date set of charts and navigational publications along with working instruments and either plotter or GPS. In addition to the candidate there should be two crew on board as the examiner will not take part in the management of the boat during the exam.

There may be vessels that will meet the guidelines outlined above but by virtue of their layout, construction, handling characteristics or other factors may be unsuitable for use for an RYA Yachtmaster Practical examination. The RYA reserves the right to refuse an exam on a vessel that, in the view of the RYA Chief Examiner, will not allow the examiner to conduct an examination to the standard required by the RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Qualification Panel.

Before you book your exam please check that you:

• can provide a boat
• have completed the required mileage and experience as skipper
• hold an SRC (Short Range Certificate) or higher level GMDSS radio operators qualification
• hold a valid first aid certificate
• have read the syllabus in RYA Logbook (G158)
• have read and comply with the pre-requisites above.

Additionally if not on the boat, you will need to bring to the exam:

• laminated or waterproof charts
• GPS set (may be hand held)
• tide tables
• pilotage information for the local area, eg pilot books, port information etc
• plotting instruments.
• Photographic ID card or document, such as a passport or driving licence

If you need your Certificate of Competence in order to work on board a commercial craft subject the MCA's codes of practice, you will need to get it commercially endorsed .

Useful links

Arranging your exam, commercial endorsements, exam payments service, mca manning requirements, professional qualifications.

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RYA Yachtmaster Preparation

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An RYA Yachtmaster Certificate of Competence is often the ultimate aim of aspiring skippers.

Well known and highly respected worldwide, this qualification proves your experience and competence as a skipper. Unlike the other courses in our Caribbean RYA cruising program, there is no formal training to complete in order to become an RYA Yachtmaster. Grenada Bluewater Sailing highly recommends attending the Yachtmaster Preparation course to fine tune your sailing skills and focus your knowledge base.

RYA Yachtmaster Coastal or the RYA Yachtmaster Offshore?

The RYA Yachtmaster Coastal means that you have knowledge needed to skipper a yacht on coastal cruises. You do not necessarily have the experience needed to undertake longer passages.

The RYA Yachtmaster Offshore deems you competent to skipper a cruising yacht on any passage during which the yacht is no more than 150 miles from harbour. The RYA Yachtmaster Certificate of Competence can be commercially endorsed in order to work on board British flagged vessels, subject to the MCA’s codes of practice for small commercial vessels. A number of additional training courses and medical fitness certificates are required to be eligible for a commercial endorsement.

Many RYA Yachtmaster candidates choose to complete the Yachtmaster Preparation course for the benefit of tailor-made Caribbean sailing tuition prior to the examination. Provided that you have sufficient experience and sea time, you are then put forward as a candidate for the Yachtmaster exam on board Chao Lay .

Click here for helpful information from the RYA on passing your exam .

RYA Yachtmaster Mile Building Charters

If you do not have the required experience and sea time, we would recommend booking on one of our Grenada Bluewater Sailing mile building cruises . We offer these exciting and adventurous trips throughout the year in the Caribbean – please check our schedule for upcoming events .

Working with a Yachtmaster Coastal Certificate

A commercially endorsed Yachtmaster Coastal Certificate of Competence will enable you to skipper vessels up to 24 metres in length, operating in category 3,4,5, and 6 waters – up to 20 miles from a safe haven.

Working with a Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate

A commercially endorsed Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate of Competence will enable you to work as a Master of commercial vessels of up to 200gt in category 1 to 6 waters – that is up to 150 miles from a safe haven.

This Certificate of Competence can used commercially in its own right, or as a pre-requisite for the MCA’s Officer of the Watch qualification, which enables you to work worldwide on vessels of up to 3000gt.

Working with a Yachtmaster Ocean Certificate

A commercially endorsed Yachtmaster Ocean Certificate of Competence will enable you to work worldwide as a Master of commercial vessels of up to 200gt.

This Certificate of Competence can be used commercially in its own right. It is also a pre-requisite for the MCA’s Chief Mate, Master 500 and Master 3000 qualifications.

Grenada – Ideal Caribbean Sailing

Grenada and the Grenadines , located in the windward islands of the Caribbean Sea, is the perfect location to complete this tuition offering tidal conditions and some of the most beautiful scenery in the Caribbean.

Book your RYA Yachtmaster Preparation course today and achieve your professional dreams!

WHAT IS RYA CERTIFICATION?

A Royal Yachting Association (RYA) Yachtmaster™ Certificate of Competence is what aspiring skippers strive to achieve. This certification tells the world that you are a qualified, competent and experienced Yachtmaster.

The RYA regulates UK waterways and how they are used. It is the national governing body for yachts, dinghy, Rigid Inflatable Boats (RIB), sports boats, motor cruising and all types of sail racing, as well as windsurfing and personal watercraft. The RYA is also a leading representative for river cruising.

Every year, the internationally acclaimed training system guides 250,000 yacht enthusiasts, power boaters, leisure crafters, canal boaters and windsurfers on their way to becoming confident and successful on the water.

So, whether your objective is to spend more quality time sailing a yacht for fun, travel, competition, a new career or to advance your current career, there is definitely an RYA training course for you. To qualify for a course as an RYA Day Skipper (the first step to becoming certified for bigger things), candidates must be at least 16 years old, have at least 100 sea miles (185.2 km) under their belt and a minimum of 5 days (plus 4 nights) experience on a yacht.

RYA training is seen as a badge of outstanding quality all over the world. The expertise and experience that have gone into the development of this course, along with British Government Maritime backing and cooperation with the Coastguard Agency (MCA), make an RYA qualification world renowned as the best training a sailor can get.

This certificate is beneficial to: • Dinghy, multihull and keel boat instructors • RYA Senior instructors • Windsurfing instructors • Dinghy coaches • Windsurfing coaches

Sailing Career Opportunities

Many people get RYA certification for their own pleasure, but if you are looking at it as a career choice, you have options.

From manager of local water sports to military instructors, RYA certified yachters have a wide range of career options. A large part of the training course is conducted by people working in the business, so on top of world-class book training (many of the classroom work is now also available online), you also benefit from practical experience from people who have seen it all, first hand.

This is the real proof that RYA certification is the key to success. There are currently more than 11,000 professionals around the world working on commercial vessels thanks to their RYA Certificate of Competence.

The RYA has a well-established, exemplary history in training both professional and recreational boaters. With over a hundred years of combined knowledge and experience, they work intensely at local, national and international levels to guarantee your RYA certification is widely accepted as the epitome of yacht training.

Many people take the RYA yachting course to obtain the basic knowledge and competence level required for happy and safe sailing adventures. While others see RYA certification as the beginning of a long and profitable career. Whatever your reasons, you are sure to enjoy the instruction and hands-on training almost as much as the sailing and boating itself.

International Certificate of Competency (ICC) & CEVNI

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ICC Examinations 1/2 day: Call to arrange

The ICC is valid for 5 years. To renew your ICC go to UK ICC issued by RYA | boating abroad | RYA

If you are planning to charter or skipper a yacht or motor boat overseas then this UN document is a must.

Most European countries are now requiring skippers of charter and private boats to hold an ICC to operate these vessels in their open and inland waterways. This Certificate is issued by the RYA and it is important to check with your charter company or the maritime authorities of the countries you are intending to visit to find out if the ICC is required.

An ICC can only be issued to persons holding passports or residents of: Australia, the United Kingdom and its territories, the USA, Canada and New Zealand.

The ICC can be issued directly to persons holding the RYA/YA Day Skipper practical certificate or higher.

For people not holding these qualifications a direct test is available. The ICC can be issued for power and/or sailing vessels and for up to either 10 metres or 24 metres in length. Specify whether you require an ICC for power or sail when booking.

The test is both a practical and theoretical assessment and takes approximately 4 hours per person. It can be undertaken on your own suitable vessel or on board one of our fleet.

The ICC requires a knowledge of navigation, pilotage and COLREGS (International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea). For those who have not previously attended a navigation course we highly recommend a theory course like  Coastal Navigation course prior to the ICC test.

For those wishing to skipper a vessel in the European inland water ways there is an additional short theory exam called the CEVNI rules. This covers rules specific to the European canals and includes signs, buoyage, light and sound signals and general steering rules. This test can be taken online or as a written test after the ICC assessment.

You must learn the CEVNI code before attempting the test. We recommend the RYA European Waterways Regulations (G17) book, which contains a sample test paper. This book is available for purchase from us. You can also take an online sample test at the RYA Interactive website.

The CEVNI online test is a short multiple choice paper in two parts. Part 1 is about signs and buoyage and Part 2 is about sound signals, lights and shapes. Seven questions are asked in each part, and you must answer at least five questions correctly in each part to pass the whole test. The CEVNI course is run by Yachtmaster Sailing School through the RYA eLearning website.

To book an ICC course please contact us on (03) 9699 9425 to arrange a suitable date for your ICC practical assessment.

See booking form for terms and conditions on own vessel. Please state whether you will require a CEVNI with your ICC.

Once you have confirmed a suitable date with the school please download the ICC application from button below.

A form needs to be completed for each person and given to your instructor at the commencement of your course along with a passport photo of each applicant.

To renew your ICC, you will need to apply to the RYA directly. For the ICC Application information  UK ICC issued by RYA | boating abroad | RYA

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RYA Certificates of Competence, Part 3 - Yachtmaster Offshore

Sailing qualification recognised around the world as a clear mark of your sailing ability.

By Marcin Wojtyczka

In this article in series about RYA certifications we reveal how to pass the RYA Yachtmaster® Offshore Certificate of Competence.

The RYA Yachtmaster® Offshore Certificate of Competence is proof that you have the knowledge needed to skipper a yacht on offshore passages.

The holder of a Yachtmaster Offshore qualification should be competent to skipper a yacht of up to 24 metres LOA (up to 200gt) in waters up to 150 miles from a safe haven.

The exam is similar to the Yachtmaster Coastal in terms of syllabus, but you can expect to get more complex scenarios on the Offshore exam.

Don’t treat the examination just as an exam. This is a great opportunity to get feedback on your skills and become a better sailor.

Requirements

You can find the official requirements here .

To pass the exam you need ample experience and be able to navigate as well as handle the boat at sea. You can take the exam without holding previous certifications from the ladder (e.g. Yachtmaster Coastal) or doing any course before as long as you have enough knowledge and experience.

To qualify to undertake the Yachtmaster Offshore examination, you must have a minimum of 50 days at sea, 2500 miles logged, including at least 5 passages over 60 miles measured along the rhumb line from the port of departure to the destination, acting as skipper for at least two of these passages and including two which have involved overnight passages. You must have 5 days of experience as a skipper. At least half this mileage and passages must be in tidal waters. All qualifying sea time must be within 10 years prior to the exam. You will also need to hold a GMDSS short-range radio certificate.

Preparation

Before taking the practical exam at sea, it is recommended to take the Yachtmaster Offshore Theory course , especially if you have not sat at the chart table for a while. Holding the RYA Yachtmaster Theory as well as your Yachtmaster Offshore certificate of competence is also required if your goal is the Officer of the Watch 3000GT.

You should also consider taking RYA Radar and a practical preparation course before the exam. There is no official RYA prep course, but many sailing schools offer on-the-water preparation courses. Our trips are focused on training based on the RYA syllabus and can get you prepared for the exam as well. We can evaluate whether you are at the right level to pass the exam and identify gaps in your knowledge. Many of our participants passed the prestigious RYA Yachtmaster Offshore exam and keep returning year after year to us in order to become yet more confident and experienced. Our practical on-the-water training builds confidence, teaching you everything from basic terminology and safety tips to how to skipper a yacht and manage its crew.

Exam Syllabus

In Yachtmaster Offshore exams you will be expected to demonstrate competence based on broad experience. You are supposed to demonstrate knowledge of competence in many areas listed below. In each section, the examiner will expect to see you take full responsibility for the management of the yacht and crew.

1. Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs)

Questions will be covering the International Regulations. You must be aware of the existence of Local Regulations, but they will not be expected to memorise specific local regulations.

• General rules (1-3)
• Steering and Rules of the Road (4-19)
• Lights and shapes (20-31)
• Sound and light signals (32-37)
• Signals for vessels fishing in close proximity (Annex II)
• Distress signals (Annex IV)

You will be expected to deliver a safety briefing and know what safety equipment should be carried on board a yacht, based either on the recommendations in the RYA Boat Safety Handbook (C8) , the ISAF Special Regulations or the Codes of Practice for the safety of Small Commercial Vessels MGN 280 (M) . It should cover the following areas including the responsibilities of a skipper:

• Safety briefing
• Life jackets
• Safety harnesses
• Lifejackets
• Distress signalling (flares and electronic means)
• Fire prevention and fighting
• Boat stability
• Knowledge of rescue and emergency procedures
• Helicopter rescue

3. Boat Handling

You will be expected to answer questions or demonstrate ability in more complex situations and will also be expected to show a higher level of expertise than the Yachtmaster Coastal candidates:

• Coming to and weighing anchor under power or sail in various conditions of wind and tide
• All berthing and unberthing situations in various conditions of wind and tide
• Recovery of man overboard and being able to describe the effects of cold-water shock and the aftercare requirements of a casualty who has been in the water
• Towing under open sea conditions and in confined areas
• Boat handling in confined areas under sail
• Boat handling in heavy weather
• Helmsmanship and sail trim to sail to the best advantage (point of sails)
• Use of warps for securing in an alongside berth and for shifting berth or winding
• Efficient use of sails depending on the point of sails

4. General Seamanship, including maintenance

• Properties, use and care of synthetic-fibre lines
• General deck work at sea and in the harbour
• Engine operations and routine checks and troubleshooting
• Improvisation of jury rigs following gear failure

5. Responsibilities of skipper

• Can skipper a yacht safely and manage the crew
• Communication with crew
• Delegation of responsibility and watch-keeping organisation
• Preparing yacht for sea and for adverse weather
• Tactics for heavy weather and restricted visibility
• Emergency and distress situations
• Victualling for a cruise and nutrition at sea
• Customs procedures
• Standards of behaviour and courtesy

6. Navigation

• Charts, navigational publications and sources of navigational information
• Chartwork including position fixing and shaping course to allow for tidal stream and leeway
• Tide and tidal stream calculations for standard and secondary ports
• Buoyage and visual aids to navigation (lighthouses, leading lights, lateral marks)
• Instruments including compasses, logs, echo sounders, radio navaids and chartwork instruments
• Passage planning and navigational tactics
• Pilotage techniques
• Keeping navigational records
• Limits of navigational accuracy and margins of safety
• Lee shore dangers
• Use of electronic navigation aids for passage planning and passage navigation
• Use of waypoints and electronic routeing
• Position fixing with and without the use of GPS
• Course to steer and estimated position
• Coming in and out of the harbour during the day and night with and without the use of GPS
• Blind navigation
• Knowledge of Radar and how to use it for collision avoidance and restricted visibility
• General understanding of AIS for restricted visibility

7. Meteorology

• Definition of terms
• Sources of weather forecasts
• Weather systems (frontal depressions and highs in the Northern and Southern Hemisphere)
• Local weather effects (sea breeze, fog, wind funnel effect)
• Interpretation of weather forecasts and synoptic charts, barometric trends and visible phenomena
• Ability to make passage planning decisions based on forecast information

You must hold the SRC Certificate of Competence (VHF) in radiotelephony or a higher grade of certificate in radiotelephony

Learning materials

• Insightful blog series on the Yachtmaster exams from the perspective of RYA examinator.
• The Complete Yachtmaster - Bestseller since first publication that has established itself as the standard reference for Yachtmaster students as well as skippers of all levels of experience.
• RYA Yachtmaster Shorebased Notes - Highly illustrated book on all aspects of the RYA Yachtmaster syllabus.
• The RYA Navigation Exercises - This is one of the best books about navigation. It accompanies all RYA training courses and includes two training charts (RYA Training Charts 3 & 4).
• RYA Certificates of Competence
• Certificates

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Russia Maps Show 25% of Moscow Without Power Amid Winter Freeze 'Emergency'

R ussian President Vladimir Putin has ordered the nationalization of an ammunition plant in Moscow after a mechanical failure caused tens of thousands of Muscovites to lose heat and water amid freezing temperatures beginning last week.

On January 4, a heating main burst at the Klimovsk Specialized Ammunition Plant in the town of Podolsk, which is around 30 miles south of central Moscow. Since then, tens of thousands of Russians are reported to have no heating in their homes in the Moscow region amid subzero temperatures.

Affected areas include the cities of Khimki, Balashikha, Lobnya, Lyubertsy, Podolsk, Chekhov, Naro-Fominsk, and Podolsk, a map published by a Russian Telegram channel and shared on other social media sites shows.

Other Russian media outlets reported that in Moscow, residents of Balashikha, Elektrostal, Solnechnogorsk, Dmitrov, Domodedovo, Troitsk, Taldom, Orekhovo-Zuyevo, Krasnogorsk, Pushkino, Ramenskoye, Voskresensk, Losino-Petrovsky, and Selyatino are also without power.

That means that in total, more than a quarter of Moscow's cities have been hit with power outages and a lack of heating.

Newsweek has contacted Russia's Foreign Ministry for comment via email.

Many residents have taken to publishing video appeals on social media to complain about their freezing conditions. In one clip, people living in Moscow say that they are left with no choice but to warm their homes with gas stoves, heaters, and "whatever else we can find." Others said they are lighting fires in the streets to keep warm.

Andrei Vorobyov, governor of the Moscow region, announced on Tuesday that Putin ordered the ammunition plant to be nationalized because two of its owners have been "located abroad." He didn't name the individuals.

"We received the right to take control of this boiler house within the framework of an emergency," Vorobiev said, adding that the plant's boiler room was managed "very poorly" and there was "virtually no qualified competent personnel."

Russia's Investigative Committee has opened a criminal case over Klimovsk Specialized Ammunition Plant not meeting safety requirements.

On Tuesday, the committee said that because of the incident, the deputy head of Podolsk's administration, the head of the plant's boiler house, and the general director of the ammunition plant had been detained.

Residents of Selyatino have described the situation as "some kind of struggle for survival," Russian Telegram channel ASTRA reported.

Power outages have also struck St. Petersburg, Rostov, Volgograd, Voronezh, Primorsky Territory, and Yekaterinburg.

Do you have a tip on a world news story that Newsweek should be covering? Do you have a question about the Russia-Ukraine war? Let us know via [email protected].

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