Exam Requirements

Requirements for Coastal skipper exam

Coastal Skipper practical examinations can be taken under sail. The candidate or a training centre provides the boat and the RYA provides an examiner. The Coastal Skipper has the knowledge needed to skipper a yacht on coastal cruises but does not necessarily have the experience needed to undertake longer passages.

Duration of exam: The exam will take about 6-10 hours for one candidate and 8-14 hours for two.

Candidates will be set tasks to demonstrate their ability as a Coastal Skipper and may also be asked questions on any part of the syllabus for all practical and shorebased courses up to Coastal Skipper.

Pre-requisite qualifications and experience:

Radio Operator’s Qualification. A restricted (VHF only) Radio Operator’s Certificate or a GMDSS Short Range Certificate or higher grade of marine radio certificate.

First Aid. A valid first aid certificate. First aid qualifications held by Police, Fire and Armed Services are also acceptable.

Seatime. 800 miles logged within 10 years prior to examination, 30 days living on board, 2 days as skipper and 12 night hours.

For holders of the Coastal Skipper Practical Course Completion Certificate the seatime requirement is reduced to 400 miles, 20 days living on board, 12 night hours, 2 days as skipper.

In summary, before booking your exam please check the following:

You have completed the required mileage and experience as skipper.

You hold a VHF Radio Operators License or Short Range Certificate.

You hold a valid First Aid certificate.

You have read the syllabus in RYA publications; G15 (sail)

You have read and comply with the eligibility requirements for this exam.

Requirements for Yachtmaster exam

Full details of the exam syllabus and requirements are shown in the RYA’s Sail Cruising Logbook (code G15) and the Motor Cruising Logbook (code G18).

Yachtmaster® Offshore practical examinations are to be taken under sail.

The candidate or a training centre provides the boat and the RYA provides an examiner. T

he Yachtmaster® Offshore is competent to skipper a cruising yacht on any passage during which the yacht is no more than 150 miles from harbour.

Duration of exam: The Yachtmaster® Offshore test lasts 8-12 hours for one candidate and 10-18 hours for two. 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.

Prerequisite qualifications and experience: Candidates must be aged 18 or over.

Radio Operator's Qualification. A restricted (VHF only) Radio Operator’s Certificate or a GMDSS Short Range Certificate or higher grade of marine radio certificate.

First Aid. A valid first aid certificate. First aid qualifications held by Police, Fire and Armed Services are also acceptable.

Seatime. 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. Please see the 'definition of passage' link above.

In summary, before booking your exam please check the following:

You have completed the required mileage and experience as skipper.

You hold a VHF Radio Operators License or Short Range Certificate.

You hold a valid First Aid certificate.

You have read the syllabus in RYA publications; G15 (sail)1 You have read and comply with the eligibility requirements for this exam.

Costings £170 An additional sum of £140 for a Yachtmaster exam and £123 for coastal skipper is paid to the examineer cheques made payable to the RYA Total RYA Coastal Skipper £293 Total RYA Yachtmaster £310  

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