Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate of Competence

A yachtmaster offshore is competent to skipper a motor cruiser on any passage during which the yacht is no more than 150 miles from harbour.

Pre exam requirements

• Age 18 or over
• Restricted [VHF only] Radio operators certificate or higher grade marine radio certificate
• A valid 1st aid certificate
• Seatime - 2500 miles of which half must be in tidal waters, 50 days including at least 5 passages over 60 miles, acting as skipper on 2 of these and 2 which have included overnight passages. 5 days experience as skipper.

Exam Duration. 8-12 hours for 1 candidate and 10-18 hours for 2. Candidates will be expected to demonstrate their ability as skipper of an offshore cruiser and may be asked questions on any part of the syllabus except yachtmaster ocean.

Yachtmaster Conversion Practical Exam

Holders of the Yachtmaster Offshore Sail Certificate may take a short conversion examination to obtain the Yachtmaster Offshore Power Certificate.

Pre exam requirement

• At least half the required experience for Yachtmaster must be in a power vessel such as a motor cruiser i.e. 1250 miles, 25 days, 3 days as skipper.
• 3 passages over 60 miles long including 1 overnight, and 1 as skipper.