Coastal Skipper Preparation & Exam

7 days (Sunday to Sunday), 5 day preparation and 2 day exam weekend  with a maximum of 5 students per yacht.

30 days aboard, 2 days as skipper, 800 miles logged, 12 night hours. VHF radio operators certificate and a valid First Aid certificate. If a coastal skipper completion certificate is held only 400 miles required.

Boat handling, navigation, pilotage, man overboard recovery and overall yacht management skills. Advanced skippering techniques in preparation for RYA/MCA exams.

To attain RYA/MCA Coastal Skipper, candidates must pass a practical examination of their skippering ability. The certificate is granted by the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) in conjunction with the Maritime Coastguard Agency (MCA) and is among the worlds most respected yachting qualifications.

Exam preparations are conducted by our most experienced skippers who are all fully qualified Yachtmaster Offshore Instructors. Early in the week the instructor will give you an honest appraisal of your chances of success and will then address any weakness that may have been highlighted.

During this 5 day course you will take command of the yacht on passages by day and night and practice boat handling techniques under power and sail. RYA Examiners expect a high standard of Man Overboard Recovery so those drills are practiced intensively throughout the course. Other subject covered include passage planning and weather, preparation and safety at sea, maintenance, navigation, pilotage, knowledge of the International Collision Regulations.

At the end of the week your instructor will give you a debrief and leave you feeling confident in your ability. Normally you will have been sailing with fellow candidates for 5 days and you will have a solid understanding of your yacht and crew before arrival of the RYA examiner on Friday night. Each student is examined as they skipper the yacht on short passages and complete various demonstrations of skippering techniques. All our instructors have been trough these exams themselves and will therefore do whatever they can to prepare you for your exams so that you are relaxed and confident on the day.