An RYA Yachtmaster Certificate of Competence is often the ultimate aim for aspiring skippers. It is a highly respected qualification world wide, proving your experience and competence as a skipper.
First check you have the relevant experience and sea miles to qualify for the exam, please check the Yachtmaster Coastal or Yachtmaster Offshore with the prerequisites in the tabs below. We also highly recommend you complete the RYA Coastal and Yachtmaster Theory. The preparation course is predominately practical onboard the yacht and run over 5 days. From the Solent you will practice plenty of passage planning and navigation to ensure you are ready to take on the vigorous exam. We will keep you well briefed during the week and work on any weaknesses you may have.
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.8-12 hours for 1 candidate, 10-18 hours for 2 candidates. No more than two candidates can be examined in 24 hours and no more than four candidates can be examined in one 2 day session.
RYA Offshore Yachtmaster ExamRYA Coastal Yachtmaster Exam
An RYA Yachtmaster needs a wealth of knowledge, not only to cope with plain sailing or motor cruising but also to be able to cope in demanding situations.
Brighton Marina, BN2 5UP
Courses are run from Febuary to the end of November. If you cannot find a date please contact us. Private tuition and own boat tuition is also available.
Book online from the dates below or call 01273 42 48 42 option 1 or email us.If you cannot find a date please contact us. We also run the Yachtmaster from BarcelonaBooking terms and conditions apply and rebooking fees are charged for cancellations made with less than 4 weeks notice.
To attain the RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Offshore candidates must pass a practical examination to demonstrate their skippering ability. A Yachtmaster is capable of skippering the yacht on extended offshore passages by day or night. He or she will essentially be a much more experienced Coastal Skipper and can do the same things more smoothly, for longer periods and in more arduous conditions. Early in the week the instructor will asses your strengths and weaknesses and coach you in the areas required to pass the examination. We often work on the following areas; passage planning, man overboard recovery, close quarters handling, skippering techniques, navigation in restricted visibility, pilotage and knowledge of the International Collision Regulations. The instructor will debrief you fully as the week progresses and ensure that you get time to work on those weaker areas.
Preparation and brush up for the RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate of Competence. Revision of advanced skippering techniques, close quarters handling under power and sail, navigation and pilotage by day and night, man overboard recovery and overall yacht management skills. The examiner will ask each candidate to skipper the yacht on several short passages and complete various demonstrations of their skippering and sailing ability over the course of the weekend.
5 day preparation followed by a 2 day exam
50 days aboard, 5 days as skipper, 2500 miles logged, 5 passages of over 60 miles including 2 overnight and 2 as skipper (Half the qualifying seatime must have been conducted in tidal waters). VHF radio operators certificate and a valid First Aid Certificate
The RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Coastal Certificate of Competence examination is the next natural step for those who have completed the RYA Coastal Skipper course and some further practical coastal sailing. The holder of an RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Coastal Certificate of Competence has the knowledge needed to to skipper a yacht on coastal passages. The theory knowledge required for the RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Coastal Certificate of Competence is the same as that for Yachtmaster Offshore, but less practical experience and skill is required. The exam will include an assessment of your skippering skills, boat handling, general seamanship, navigation, safety awareness and knowledge of the IRPCS (collision regulations), meteorology and signals. Candidates will be set tasks to demonstrate their ability and may also be asked questions on any part of the syllabus for all practical and shorebased courses up to Yachtmaster Coastal level. Before taking this exam it is advisable to complete our 5 day Preparation Week in Yachtmaster Coastal & Offshore. YACHTMASTER™ COASTAL EXAM PRE-REQUISITES
30 days, 2 days as skipper, 800 miles, 12 night hours (if you hold the Coastal Skipper course certificate this is reduced to 20 days, 2 days as skipper, 400 miles, 12 night hours). Half the qualifying sea time must be conducted in tidal waters.
Practical
A GMDSS Short Range Certificate (SRC) or higher grade of marine radio certificate. A valid first aid certificate.
6-10 hours for 1 candidate, 8-14 hours for 2 candidates
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Candidates may be given the opportunity to demonstrate knowledge of competence in the areas listed below. In each section the examiner will expect to see the candidate take full responsibility for the management of the yacht and crew. In Yachtmaster Offshore exams the candidate will be expected to demonstrate competence based on broad experience. It is advisable that you do your 5 day Offshore Preparation first. 1. International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea
2. Safety
3. Boat Handling
4. General Seamanship, including maintenance
5. Responsibilities of skipper
6. Navigation
7. Meteorology
8. Signals
Minimum sea time: 50 days, 2,500 miles 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. 5 days experience as skipper. At least half this mileage and passages must be in tidal waters. All qualifying seatime must be within 10 years prior to the exam.
A GMDSS Short Range Certificate (SRC) or higher grade of marine radio certificate. A valid first aid certificate
8-12 hours for 1 candidate, 10-18 hours for 2 candidates. No more than two candidates can be examined in 24 hours and no more than four candidates can be examined in one 2 day session.
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Lagoon Watersports @ Brighton Marina
Pontoon 6
Western Concourse
Brighton Marina
BN2 5UP
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Head towards the waterfront where you will see all the cafes and restaurants. Walk to the end of the boarded walk way where there will be a large bridge heading down towards the pontoons. We are the first set of pontoons on the right. Pontoon 6. To Brighton Marina by car
Approaching the marina from the A27 take the B2123. Turn right at first set of traffic lights, signposted Brighton Town Centre, Racecourse and Marina Village. Turn left at second set of traffic lights, pass the Racecourse and follow the signs for the Marina Village where there is free parking for 1500 cars in the multi-storey car park. From the car park you can either go across a linking bridge on level 6 or from the ground floor of the car park towards all the waterfront cafes and bars. Walk to the end of the boarded walk way where there will be a large ramp heading down towards the pontoons. We are the first set of pontoons on the right. Pontoon 6. By Bus
Brighton and Hove bus service operates a number 7 bus approximately every 15 minutes 24 hours a day, from Brighton Town Centre (North Street or Queens Road), to the Marina Village. By Bike
Brighton Marina has a bike share station which is either pay per minute or a yearly membership, go to https://www.btnbikeshare.com for more information. For your own bike, racks are available on the main concourses of the pontoons. You must use the racks and not leave bikes on the pontoons otherwise Premier Marina will take them away. On foot
Brighton Marina is a pleasant walk along the seafront from the centre of Brighton, it is 20 minutes walk from the main West Pier. During the summer you will also find the Volks electric railway operates along the front. By train
The nearest main line station is Brighton with regular connections to Chichester, Portsmouth and London is under an hour away. nationalrail.co.uk By Air
Brighton is within easy reach of Heathrow and Gatwick international airports. Follow the A23 from Gatwick to Brighton. Shoreham airport is also available for private light aircraft.
Yachting On our yacht courses we use either our Beneteau 36.7 or Beneteau First 35, these are cruiser/racers with great performance – perfect for learning and RYA courses. They are commercially coded with safety equipment to the highest standard. Sailing We also offer sailing courses in our smaller Delphia 24 keelboats, These 8 metre performance boats are used for racing and day sailing, very responsive boats for our RYA sailing courses. If you would like more practice after your yacht courses or RYA Sailing Level 2 we offer:
Alterations to Bookings at Hove Lagoon Customers are able to rearrange course dates up to two times with no charge when Lagoon Watersports is given : 48 hours notice for courses under £75 per person 7 days notice for courses priced between £76 – £300 per person 14 days notice for course over £301 per person If Lagoon Watersports is given less than the required notice period this considered to be a cancellation. In circumstances when a customer requests more than two changes of a date, a rebooking fee of 50% of the course fee will be charged. In circumstances where the customer is unable to choose new dates or Lagoon Watersports is unable to offer suitable alternative dates a credit will be applied to the customers account that is valid for 24 months. Cancellation charges Customers may cancel a course with written notification from the lead name in your group. The following cancellation fees apply when Lagoon Watersports is given :
Course Cancellation by Lagoon Watersports In circumstance where Lagoon Watersports cancels a course (Excluding Force Majeure) the customer may choose a new date or a full refund. Postponement due to COVID-19 If you are required to self isolate via government guidelines you can reschedule you booking to a later date within our schedule availability. No refunds are available due to COVID-19. Force Majeure In circumstances out of our control we will endeavour to rebook and hold credit for any activity in the future valid for 24 months. This includes cancellation by us due to COVID-19. No refunds will be given in these circumstances.
RYA Courses Due limited availability you can only reschedule up to 14 days prior to the course start date to give us time to fill your place, within 14 days and up to 48 hours it will cost £99 to reschedule. Within 48 hours you will need to rebook at full cost of the session/Course Zero to Dayskipper and Learn to Sail packages are allowed a maximum of 2 changes to dates without penalties, this must be at least 7 days prior to the course date otherwise a penalty fee of £75 will be incurred Boating experiences trips, Powerboat ride, Jet Ski Safaris Individuals booked onto boating experiences may reschedule up to 48 hours prior to the activity, within 48 hours you will loose your booking and given a 25% discount on rebooking
You may cancel with written notification from the lead name in your group. The following cancellation fees apply :
Group bookings confirm numbers 4 weeks prior to the event with the final balance. Any changes in numbers we will endeavour to accommodate, the following applies Numbers increases up to 24 hours prior to the event will be accommodated as much as possible, priced per head Number decreases up to 7 days prior to the event will be accommodated, but where this reduce your group size below 6 persons you will need to pay for 6 persons. Session durations might vary depending on changes to group sizes
RYA Courses If we need to cancel due to Instructor availability, damaged equipment or engine failure or weather conditions/Sea State we will give you as much notice as possible and offer new dates to complete the course. Boating experiences trips, Powerboat ride, Jet Ski Safaris If we need to cancel due to Instructor availability, damaged equipment, engine failure or weather conditions/Sea State we will do all we can to arrange another suitable date, if we cannot provide suitable availability then you will be offered a full refund Force Majeure – In circumstances out of our control we will endeavour to rebook and hold credit for any activity in the future with a two year expiry
