The R.Y.A. system of certification is an easy system to understand and follows a logical pattern ... The earlier courses are not subject to examination by an R.Y.A. Examiner and the school will issue certificates on behalf of the R.Y.A. on satisfactory completion of the course.

Stage 1 - Competent Crew
This assumes no prior knowledge at all. You will be taught all the necessary seamanship skills, including helming, sail setting and trimming, knots etc., to enable you to be a confident member of a crew on an offshore yacht.The course duration is 5 days or 3 weekends. An R.Y.A. certificate is issued on satisfactory completion.

Stage 2 -Day Skipper Shorebased
This course assumes knowledge to the level of Competent Crew. It is for those who wish to start to expand their skills by introducing navigation, pilotage and meteorology. It is designed so that, upon completion, you will have sufficient theory to enable you to complete the Day Skipper Practical Course.The course duration is 5 days or 3 weekends.. An R.Y.A. certificate is issued on satisfactory completion.

Stage 3 - Day Skipper Practical
This course assumes a knowledge to the level of Day Skipper Theory. The preferred minimum prior experience is 5 days, 100 miles and 4 night hours. The course will consist of basic pilotage, boat handling, seamanship and navigation.The course duration is 5 days or 3 weekends. Upon completion, you will be sufficiently prepared to skipper a small yacht in sheltered waters by day. An R.Y.A. certificate is issued on satisfactory completion.

Stage 4 -Coastal Skipper / Yachtmaster Offshore Shorebased
This course assumes knowledge of navigation, Collision Regulations and meteorology to the level of Day Skipper. The course will take you on from Day Skipper level to the more advanced offshore and coastal navigation, pilotage and meteorology. It is an intensive course that will be necessary to move on to the Coastal Skipper and then Yachtmaster Offshore practical examinations. The course is of 5 days duration. An R.Y.A. certificate is issued on satisfactory completion.

Stage 5 -Coastal Skipper Practical
This course assumes knowledge to the level of Coastal Skipper / Yachtmaster Offshore Theory. The preferred minimum prior experience is 15 days (2 days as skipper), 300 miles and 8 night hours.The course duration is 5 days or 3 weekends. Upon completion, you will be sufficiently prepared to skipper a yacht on coastal passages by day and night. An R.Y.A. certificate is issued on satisfactory completion.

Stage 6 - R.Y.A. Coastal Skipper Examination
This examination is normally of up to 2 days duration and follows on from the 5 day Coastal Skipper Practical Course. You must hold an SRC Radio Operator's licence and a recognised First Aid certificate before the exam can be ratified. See R.Y.A. Examinations for full details.

Stage 7 - Yachtmaster Offshore Prep. Course and Examination This is an advanced course and assumes an ability to R.Y.A. Coastal Skipper level. It is also designed for those who have a lot of experience and wish this to be formally recognised. The prep course is of 5 days duration with a 2 day examination immediately after, making 7 days in total. You must hold a valid VHF Radio Operator's licence and a First Aid certificate before the examination can be ratified. See R.Y.A. Examinations for details

Stage 8 -Yachtmaster Ocean Shorebased
This course is for holders of the R.Y.A. Yachtmaster Offshore certificate or for those with some sailing experience who would like to take such a course out of interest. This is a very intensive course and consists of Passage Planning, Celestial Navigation, Oceanography and worldwide Meteorology. The course is of 5 days duration. An R.Y.A. certificate is issued on satisfactory completion.

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