MCA / RYA Yachtmaster Coastal Sail

Overview:

The Yachtmaster Coastal Certificate of Competence and Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate of Competence are run together as they have so much in common. They are both five day preparation courses run back to back with a two day exam. While the syllabus for each is very similar, the Yachtmaster candidate is required to have logged more sea time and will be pushed harder in the exam. The key benefit of running the two courses in parallel is that students who are unsure which level to pitch themselves at can start the week and decide part way through which exam to go for. The external examiner will not know which exam you are each taking until he/she meets you.

We run the preparation courses for these two exams slightly differently from most other sea schools. We restrict the total number of students on board to four (rather than five). This means you will get more practice at boat handling, time at the chart table navigating and oppurtunities to take command as skipper. Additionally we do not mix our exam candidates with our non exam students just to fill our boat up. It is unfair on you if you have to sit through Competent Crew and Dayskipper Students learning how to tack, gybe, hoist sails and take a 3 point fix (it’s unfair on them as well).

We believe it is vital that everyone on board has the same focus and the same goal for the week. We find our exam crews bond very quickly as they will be crewing for each other in the exam.  We have maintained a pass rate of over 98% for these prestigious exams.

We understand that exams are stressful and we like to reduce as much pressure as possible. We learnt a long time ago that there is no point someone going for an exam they are not ready for. For that reason we have tried to take away a financial pressure. If you get part way through the preparation week and you and your instructor do not feel that you are ready for the exam we are happy to hold the weekend credit for you for up to six months. This does not mean we will provide a second free preparation week but it does mean you will not have to pay again for the yacht charter, food and diesel etc. component of the exam. Once you are ready, you can re book either a whole preperation week at a reduced rate or just the exam for free.

Aims:

Simple. To work with you to ensure you pass your exam. The five day preparation not only gets you familiar with the boat, the Solent and the crew but it looks at exam techniques and polishes rusty skills.

Course Duration:

Seven days. The first five days are spent with our instructor on board coaching you. On afternoon five he steps off and an external examiner steps on. The next two days are then devoted to your exam.

Pre Requisites:

• 30 days sail cruising
• 800 miles logged
• 12 night hours
• 2 days as skipper
• RYA Coastal Skipper / Yachtmaster Offshore Shorebased knowledge
• In date First Aid certificate
• SRC or VHF Licence
• RYA Sea Survival Course (recommended - compulsory if you are seeking a MCA/RYA Commercial Endorsement)
• RYA Membership (join here)

* For holders of the RYA Coastal Skipper Course Completion Certificate Sea Time is reduced to 15 days and 400 miles.

Course Content:

The preparation part of the week is intended to act as a refresher on pilotage, boat handling, safety, skippering and passage planning. In particular skills like blind navigation, sailing onto mooring buoys, night pilotage and MOB procedure. During the exam candidates will be set tasks to demonstrate their ability as a Yachtmaster and are asked questions on any part of the syllabus for all practical and shorebased courses up to Yachtmaster (Coastal or Offshore as appropriate). All meals are provided on board except one evening meal ashore (not included).

What's Included:

• 5 days of coaching
• Use of the yacht for 5 days
• Hire of the yacht for the exam (up to a further two days)
• Gas and diesel for the full 7 days
• Accommodation on board
• Meals, drinks and snacks on board
• Loan of a life jacket
• Free Parking 
• 1 Year RNLI Membership

What's Not Included:

• MCA Exam fee (£168)
• Hire of foul weather gear (£5/day if required)
• Berthing fees, away from the home port
• One evening meal (eaten ashore)

Booking:

The dates below denote the first day of the one week preparation and exam. The courses start at 0900 on the first morning. If these dates do not suit please contact us.

Latest News:

• Great Race Results from the RORC Cervantes Trophy as the 2013 RORC Fastnet campaign gets underway

  More
• Now recruiting for the Stormforce Coaching Internship programme beginning September 2013... More
• 1st place race results to shout about! More
• Stormforce Students' Shackleton Epic Adventure Success! More

Accreditations: