RYA Yachtmaster Coastal and Offshore Exam Syllabus
Candidates will be given the opportunity to demonstrate knowledge and competence in many of 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 RYA Yachtmaster Offshore exams the candidate will be expected to demonstrate competence based on broad experience.
In RYA Yachtmaster Coastal exams the candidate will be expected to demonstrate understanding but may not have had the opportunity to practise all aspects of the syllabus under a range of different weather conditions.
International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea
Questions will be confined to the International Regulations and, although candidates must be aware of the existence of local regulations, they will not be expected to memorise specific local ones.
General rules (1-3)
Steering and sailing rules (4-9)
Lights and shapes (20-31)
Sound and light signals (32-37)
Signals for vessels fishing in close proximity (Annex ll)
Distress signals (Annex IV)
Safety
Candidates will be expected to know what safety equipment should be carried on board a sailing yacht or motor vessel, based either on the recommendations in the RYA Boat Safety Handbook (G103), the ISAF Special Regulations or the Codes of Practise for the Safety of Small Commercial Vessels. In particular, candidates must know the responsibilities of a skipper in relation to:
The safety briefing
Safety harnesses
Life jackets
Distress signalling (flares and electronic means)
Stability
Fire prevention and fighting
Life rafts
Knowledge of rescue procedures
Helicopter rescue
Boat Handling
Candidates for RYA Yachtmaster Coastal examinations will be expected to answer questions or demonstrate ability in less-complex situations only. Candidates for Yachtmaster Offshore 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:
Coming to and weighing anchor under power or sail in various conditions of wind and tide
In all berthing and unberthing situations in various conditions of wind and tide
In 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
When towing under open-sea conditions and in confined areas
In boat handling in confined areas under sail
In boat handling in heavy weather
When using helmsmanship and sail trim to sail to best advantage
Using warps for securing in an alongside berth and for shifting berth or winding
General Seamanship, Including Maintenance
Properties, use and car of synthetic-fibre ropes
Knots
General deck work at sea and in harbour
Engine operations, routine checks and troubleshooting
Improvisation of jury rigs following gear failure
Responsibility of the Skipper
Can skipper a yacht and manage the crew
Communication with the crew
Delegation of responsibility and watchkeeping organisation
Preparing the yacht for sea and for adverse weather conditions
Tactics for heavy weather and restricted visibility
Emergency and distress situations
Victualling for a cruise and feeding at sea
Customs procedures
Standards of behaviour and courtesy
