Skipper course
You can become a sailing yacht captain by taking a course that goes from deckhand to captain. The course consists of several stages. Start right now.
Our course is completed in several stages. After completing each stage, you receive a certificate. First comes the study of theoretical material, followed by mandatory practical training on a sailing yacht.
Competent Crew
Competent
Crew is the entry-level course for complete beginners who want to become useful crew members on a cruising yacht.
Crew is the entry-level course for complete beginners who want to become useful crew members on a cruising yacht.
Exams
There is no formal exam. Assessment is based on your practical performance during the course, conducted by the instructor.
There is no formal exam. Assessment is based on your practical performance during the course, conducted by the instructor.
Skills
The course covers: helmsmanship, sail handling (hoisting, trimming, reefing), ropework and knots, fire precautions, personal safety equipment, man overboard, meteorology, seasickness, and general duties.
The course covers: helmsmanship, sail handling (hoisting, trimming, reefing), ropework and knots, fire precautions, personal safety equipment, man overboard, meteorology, seasickness, and general duties.
Mileage
No minimum mileage requirement. The course runs over 5 days (or equivalent — 3 weekends), all time on the water
No minimum mileage requirement. The course runs over 5 days (or equivalent — 3 weekends), all time on the water
Role:
Transition from crew to skipper; safely command a 30–45ft sail cruising yacht and its crew on day trips in familiar waters.
Pre-course experience:
5 days, 100 miles, 4 night hours on a sailing yacht; theory to Day Skipper Shorebased level; minimum age 16.
Length:
5 days (or 3 weekends, or 3+2 days).
Exam:
No formal exam. Continuous assessment by the instructor during the course. Theory is checked on board.
Skills covered:
Preparation for sea, deck work, navigation, pilotage, meteorology, rules of the road, maintenance, engines, emergency situations, handling under power, handling under sail, passage-making, night cruising.
Day Skipper
Role:
Advanced skippering for coastal and offshore passages by day and night; preparation for the Yachtmaster Coastal exam.
Pre-course experience:
15 days at sea, 2 days as skipper, 300 miles, 8 night hours; sailing ability to Day Skipper practical standard; theory to Coastal Skipper / Yachtmaster Offshore level; minimum age 17.
Length:
5 days.
Exam:
Course Completion Certificate, not a separate exam. Each trainee skippers more demanding passages under instructor guidance.
Skills covered:
Passage planning, preparation for sea, pilotage, passage making and ability as skipper, yacht handling under power, yacht handling under sail, adverse weather, emergency situations.
Certificate use:
- Demonstrates competence to charter companies
- Prepares for Yachtmaster Coastal or Offshore exams
- Reduces Yachtmaster Coastal exam sea time requirements: from 30 days to 12 days, and from 800 miles to 400 miles
Coastal Skipper
Yachtmaster Offshore
Yachtmaster Offshore is a Certificate of Competence, earned by passing an independent practical exam. For sail, the exam must be taken on a sailing vessel.
Sea Time & Experience
- 50 days at sea (on yachts up to 500 GT)
- 2500 miles (at least 50% in tidal waters)
- 5 days as skipper
- 5 passages over 60 miles, which must include: 2 overnight and 2 as skipper
Exam
Practical exam lasting 8–12 hours for one candidate, conducted by an independent examiner. Assessed: skippering skills, boat handling, navigation, IRPCS knowledge, meteorology, signals, and general seamanship. The exam takes place in real conditions, including night navigation.
Practical exam lasting 8–12 hours for one candidate, conducted by an independent examiner. Assessed: skippering skills, boat handling, navigation, IRPCS knowledge, meteorology, signals, and general seamanship. The exam takes place in real conditions, including night navigation.
Additional Certificates
Required for exam entry:
Required for exam entry:
- SRC (Short Range Certificate) or higher — GMDSS radio
- First Aid — valid certificate
Exam Skills
Boat handling under power and sail in various conditions, berthing/unberthing, anchoring, man overboard recovery, towing, tidal navigation, passage planning, heavy weather and restricted visibility procedures.
Boat handling under power and sail in various conditions, berthing/unberthing, anchoring, man overboard recovery, towing, tidal navigation, passage planning, heavy weather and restricted visibility procedures.
Yachtmaster Ocean
The Yachtmaster Ocean is the highest level of recreational and small commercial skippering qualification issued by the Royal Yachting Association. It certifies that a skipper is capable of undertaking ocean passages worldwide, navigating far offshore beyond the limits of terrestrial navigation aids .
This is not a practical course. There is no training course leading up to the exam for the Certificate. There is an oral test plus a written test (unless you hold certain exemptions)
This is not a practical course. There is no training course leading up to the exam for the Certificate. There is an oral test plus a written test (unless you hold certain exemptions)
Pre-Requisites1. Qualification
You must already hold the Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate
You must already hold the Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate
Your Role on the Passage:
You must have taken a full part in the planning and preparation of the passage, including the navigational plan, checking the material condition of the yacht and her equipment, and storing with spare gear, fuel, water and victuals. Throughout the passage, you must have acted in a responsible capacity, either in sole charge of a watch or as skipper .
3. Astronavigation (Sights)
You must have successfully navigated a yacht at sea by astro navigation. As a minimum, this should include the planning, reduction, and plotting of a sun-run-meridian altitude (or sun-run-sun sight) and a compass check carried out using the bearing of the sun, moon, a star, or planet
You must have taken a full part in the planning and preparation of the passage, including the navigational plan, checking the material condition of the yacht and her equipment, and storing with spare gear, fuel, water and victuals. Throughout the passage, you must have acted in a responsible capacity, either in sole charge of a watch or as skipper .
3. Astronavigation (Sights)
You must have successfully navigated a yacht at sea by astro navigation. As a minimum, this should include the planning, reduction, and plotting of a sun-run-meridian altitude (or sun-run-sun sight) and a compass check carried out using the bearing of the sun, moon, a star, or planet
The Exam
The exam consists of an oral and written test and lasts approximately 1.5 to 2 hours .
Oral Test
48 hours before the exam, you must provide the examiner with :
The written exam includes questions on sights and sight reduction and worldwide meteorology .
The exam consists of an oral and written test and lasts approximately 1.5 to 2 hours .
Oral Test
48 hours before the exam, you must provide the examiner with :
- A narrative account of the planning and execution of the qualifying passage, including the rationale behind the passage plan, weather considerations, crew selection, navigational strategy, victualling, and bunkering. This should include copies of the vessel's log pages relevant to the qualifying passage.
- Navigational records completed on board a yacht on passage, out of sight of land, showing that you navigated the yacht without the use of electronic navigational aids.
The written exam includes questions on sights and sight reduction and worldwide meteorology .