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Passing your RYA Yachtmaster Examination


The yachtmaster examination is the most useful and credible of sailing qualifications. This is because examiners are independant assessors who cannot be involved in the training of candidates. They are able to be objective about a candidates knowledge and ability.

Examinations usually are around 12 hours per candidate. To be eligible for the exam you will have completed 2500 sea miles. 5 passages over 60 miles on the rhumb line, 2 as skipper and 2 as overnight passages. You will also have 50 days live aboard time on a cruising yacht in commission. These are minimum requirements.

You will also need a VHF radio certificate and a Senior first aid certificate

To succeed you need to demonstrate a combination of knowledge skill and crew leadership. You will need to show the examiner you are capable of taking members of his family on a safe extended cruise and return them safely and the yacht in a fit condition to leave harbour on another cruise. This is a rough rule of thumb that sets a high standard.

To prepare for the exam you need to do the following

  • Know the International Regulations for prevention of ships at sea thoroughly including lights, sounds and shapes.
  • Have a very good knowledge of tides, tidal heights and streams
  • Know how to plot visual and GPS fixes and keep and estimate of position
  • Maintain log books and navigation records
  • Prepare passage and pilotage plans
  • Prepare a yacht for passage including pre departure inspections, victualling and watering

For the practical part of the examination the following areas will be assessed:

  • Power manouvering including all aspects of berthing and leaving a berth
  • Handling under sail including sail trim, sailing to anchor, mooring or berth, recovery of man overboard
  • General organsiation and watchkeeping
  • Crew management including how you delegate, giving direction and looking after crew morale and team work
  • Safety management.

You need to approach the exam like a weekend sail. Try to make it enjoyable - if you know the syllabus it will be and don't forget to put the kettle on. Looking after the crew is important. You will be asked to skipper a short passage.This does not mean you have to do everything - it is better to delegate helming and sail trimming through a watchkeeping process. Your job is to keep the boat and its crew working well together.

You will also be asked to demonstrate various tasks such as anchoring, morring under power and sail and all aspects of berthing. You may need to work through an emergency situation such as a crew injury and you will need to show you can recover a person overboard.

There is a test of your knowledge of the collision regulations and you must know lights, shapes and sound signals.

Try not to get into the habit of showing off your knowledge. A quiet competent approach to the task is far more effective than trying to show the examiner everything you know especially if this is at the expense of other crew members. There are many yachtmaster candidates who have talked their way out of a pass!d.

You will also act as crew for the other candidates on board. Again just get on with the job in a quiet competent manner. I always remember the friendly words of encouragement during my exam when one of the crew kept asking me silly questions. The examiner just leaned over and said "don't worry - it's his turn soon"

The examination is an examination of the RYA cruising syllabus. You may be a very experienced sailor but this will not automatically qualify you for the exam. The techniques and attention to safety that are hallmarks of the cruising scheme are the basis on which the Maritime Coastguard Authority provides its recognition. When you pass the exam you will have been assessed as a professional competent skipper in the RYA cruising scheme. It comes through a lot of hard work and with it comes the obligation to continue the high standards you have achieved for this exam, right through your sailing life

 

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