Thank you for booking your RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate of Competence pre exam training and examination with us. Please find joining instructions relating to this course below.

About the course

You probably already have information about the RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate of Competence pre exam training and examination but if you would like to refresh your memory please view our webpage. 

All course bookings are subject to our Terms & Conditions of Business which can be found on our website – Terms & Conditions of Business

Pre-course preparation

The more time that you can invest ahead of your course to ensure that your knowledge is current and at the right level then so much the better. The level of theory knowledge that you need is well explained by reviewing the syllabus for the Yachtmaster Theory course. You can read the syllabus by clicking on the tab on  Yachtmaster Theory.

As a guide though you need to ensure that you are very up to date on:

  • Collision regulations – all aspects to include collision rules, lights, day shapes and sound signals (you do not need to remember rule numbers though)
  • Tides – the ability to determine tidal height anywhere using an almanac and the ability to determine tidal streams too.
  • Charts – you should be at ease with charts including all the light characteristics of buoys, shorebased lights etc. You won’t need to remember every chart symbol but do need to know the common symbols and know where to find the answer.
  • Buoyage – all aspects including light characteristics.
  • Plotting a course to steer, estimated position etc. Using plotting tools should be second nature.

As you reach Yachtmaster level you will probably have acquired various books. We recommend:

  • Yachtmaster for Sail & Power by Allison Noice
  • Seamans Guide to the Rules of the Road (An older style book but very good) – Here
  • An Introduction to Navigation – Here
  • RYA Navigation Handbook – Here

Pre-course work

We will send you some questions prior to the course which are of a similar standard to those found on the Yachtmaster Theory course. These questions can be undertaken with the Course Instructor during the course or ahead of attending the course if you have available the relevant charts and almanac. The time that you spend practicing such questions ahead of a course will mean we need to spend less time on this area whilst you are with us so that we can concentrate more on the practical boat handling side. At the very least look through the questions and work out how you would answer each of them as being able to do so will ensure that you are at the right level.

The examination

RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Certificate of Competence – this is an examination rather than a course and is conducted by a RYA Yachtmaster Examiner. The examination assesses the following areas:

  • Ability as a Skipper to command a vessel, undertake comprehensive safety briefings and ensure a happy and safe crew
  • Theory – theory needs to be to the standard of RYA Yachtmaster Theory and is assessed accordingly
  • Boat handling – close quarter boat handling is assessed and you need to demonstrate a high degree of competence in marina situations and also when dealing with other tasks such as man overboard, handling a craft with one engine down.
  • Pilotage and passage planning – you prepare a plan for execution at night and are assessed on the plan and your execution of it

If you satisfy the examiner that you are competent in the above areas then he/she will recommend you as a pass to the RYA. If not it is usually recorded as a fail and you receive a debrief and letter from the RYA detailing where you need to work to improve to help you pass a retake.

Passing this examination allows you to apply for a Commercial Endorsement if you also possess the following:

  • RYA Sea Survival (1 day course) or equivalent
  • ML5 Medical – undertaken by your GP or ENG1 Medical – undertaken by a MCA Doctor.
  • RYA Professional Practices and Responsibilities Course completion certificate (Please contact us for more information on this new (2012) requirement)

There is a fee payable to the RYA for the exam and the Commercial Endorsement.

Important: Original copies of your RYA VHF SRC course and First Aid qualification must be brought with you with (Usually the RYA one day course but others are accepted).
If you wish to, you can complete the exam application form ahead of arriving – it is available Here. You will need a passport photo – please bring it with you or attach it to the form. If you intend commercially endorsing your qualification the application form is available – Here

Payment

If payment has not been made in full for this course please contact us.

Remember too that at the time of booking/payment we have a special offer on VHF courses. If you intend booking a VHF course too then it is materially cheaper to do this now as the rate is reduced for that course from £100 to £75 per head (plus RYA fee). You don’t need to decide the dates you will attend the VHF course though and you can schedule a date at some time later – we run these courses every two weeks.

Arrival time, Directions & Parking

Unless agreed otherwise, we start all courses at 9am so please aim to be there 10 – 15mins early to allow you to park and for us to make you a tea/coffee etc. If you are running late or need last minute directions please call the Office number (01202 686666) as it is diverted to our mobiles on the morning of courses.

Please ensure that you know which of our locations your course is based at:

Cobbs Quay Marina, Poole [BH15 4EL]
 

 
What Three Words address – ship.plot.slate
 
 

Lymington Boat Club [SO41 3QD]
 

 
What Three Words address – simulations.response.perfected
 

Port of Poole Marina, Poole [Use What3Words]
 

 
What Three Words address – noble.lobby.lobby

Things to think about bringing

  • Suitable footwear – boat shoes, trainers, boating wellies etc. Not open toed sandals or black soled trainers. Shoes may get wet so a spare pair is advisable. Nice warm socks make a difference in the winter!
  • Warm clothes – we will provide waterproofs but these don’t really provide much warmth as this needs to be from the layers you wear underneath. With waterproofs on you shouldn’t really get wet but it is worth having a change of clothes available.
  • Bottle of water
  • Sunglasses & sun cream – even on overcast days the glare from the water can be significant.
  • A hat, gloves etc
  • Any medication you take
  • Reading glasses
  • Camera – feel free to bring one but it is carried at your own risk for obvious reasons
  • Passport photo for certificate

Food

We will provide teas and coffees and you can either get sandwiches from the convenience store on site (Cobbs Quay Marina & Lymington – NOT available at Port of Poole Marina). You should budget about £5 per day for lunch. You are welcome to bring your own packed lunch if you wish.

Accommodation

There are plenty of places to stay in Poole and Lymington to suit all budgets. Bear in mind that if you are booking for just one night that B&Bs will often be reticent to take a one night booking a few weeks ahead of a course but nearer the time will want to fill the bed. Therefore do call any places that said they were full as places seem to free themselves up! If you need any further advice on accommodation please contact our office.  A list of accommodation is available here.

We look forward to welcoming you shortly. If in the meantime you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us.