Course and qualification

RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Ocean Exam

AdvancedAfloat

About this course

The RYA Coastal Skipper course prepares experienced sailors for extended coastal passages. Covering advanced navigation, passage planning, and night sailing, this course ensures you can handle challenging weather conditions and manage a crew effectively. Perfect for those aspiring to take charge on longer journeys, it typically spans five days.

Prerequisites

Course knowledge and logged experience required

Hold an RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate of Competence or the specified MCA OOW Yachts qualification, and complete one qualifying ocean passage within 10 years: at least 600 nautical miles, including at least 200 nautical miles more than 50 miles from land, lasting at least 96 hours. The candidate must take a full part in planning and preparation, act in a responsible capacity as skipper or watch leader, and complete the published astro-navigation evidence.

Alternative route: An invigilated RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Ocean Shorebased course completion certificate, or the specified MCA unlimited Deck Officer certificate, exempts the candidate from the written examination; it does not replace the qualifying passage or eligibility certificate.

Required certificates and documents

  • RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate of Competence or specified MCA OOW Yachts qualification
  • Photographic identification
Sea miles
600 miles
Qualifying passages
1
Passage duration
96 hours
Distance from land
50 miles

Check the official RYA prerequisite information (opens in a new tab)

Recommended course progression

Starting from the beginning

We have not assessed your existing qualifications, knowledge or experience yet, so every step is shown as still to do.

View your course roadmap10 steps · Starts from the beginning

Follow these courses in order to build the course knowledge or certificates described above.

Once you tell us what you already know or hold, we can recognise equivalent knowledge or skills and adjust this route.

Logged experience, sea time and required documents are assessed separately and are not completed by taking these courses alone.

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    RYA First Aid Course

    RYA schemes:Inland WaterwaysMotor CruisingPersonal WatercraftPowerboatRYASail CruisingShorebasedSmall Boat Sailing

    RYA First Aid Course

    Accidents happen when you least expect them. Thankfully serious incidents onboard are rare but getting to grips with basic first aid will ensure that everyone’s in good hands. Administering first…

    No RYA minimum ageProviders may set their own age rules, especially for under-18s.
    Level:BeginnerIntermediateAdvanced
    Format:Classroom
    Setting:Shorebased
    View course
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Training providers

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