info@fivestarsailing.co.uk

SAIL CRUISING, Adult Course

Some practical experience desirable

None

Basic seamanship and introduction to navigation and meteorology

The syllabus arms would-be skippers with enough knowledge to navigate around familiar waters by day. A basic knowledge of lights is also included - in case they arrive back late.

40 hours and 2 exam papers

info@fivestarsailing.co.uk

SAIL CRUISING, Adult Course

Knowledge equivalent to the Day Skipper Shorebased course

Navigation to Day Skipper standard and some practical experience

Navigation including Rising & Dipping distances, meteorology, collision avoidance, safety and passage planning. Operation and Limitations of GPS and Chart Plotters.

Understands the principles of navigating for coastal and offshore passages.

40 hours and 3 exam papers

info@fivestarsailing.co.uk

SAIL CRUISING

Coastal and offshore sailing

Navigation to Coastal Skipper & Yachtmaster® Offshore shorebased standard

Astro-navigation, ocean meteorology and passage planning.

Understands how to plan, ocean routeing and navigation on an ocean passage including ocean meteorology. 

40 hours

Yachtmaster® Ocean, Adult Course

1. Hold a DoT Yachtmaster® Coastal Certificate issued prior to 1973 or an RYA/MCA Yachtmaster® Offshore Certificate of Competence. An RYA/MCA Coastal Skipper Certificate does not qualify.
   

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

1. The candidate was fully involved in the planning of the passage, including selection of the route, the navigational plan, checking the material condition of the yacht and her equipment, storing with spare gear, water and victuals and organising the watch-keeping routine;
   

2. 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. Please see 'definition of passage'.

3. Hold a valid first aid certificate. First aid qualifications held by Police, Fire and Armed Services are also acceptable.

The candidate must provide the examiner with:

1. A narrative account of the planning and execution of the qualifying passage;
   

2. 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 a 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 written exam will include questions on star sight planning and reduction and worldwide meteorology.

Candidates who hold the Certificate of Satisfactory Completion of the RYA/DoT Yachtmaster® Ocean Shorebased Course, Royal Navy Ocean Navigation Certificate or a DoT Certificate of Competence as a Deck Officer will be exempt from the written examination.

A Yachtmaster® Ocean is experienced and competent to skipper a yacht on passages of any length in all parts of the world.

Less than one day.