Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaste exam, what's the differ

[seahorse]

Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaste exam, what\'s the differ

I've passed my Yachtmaster theory course & more that fulfil the seatime requirements for the practical exam.
Having read the RYA Cruising Logbook & the posts below I'm still at a loss as to the difference between the Coastal & Yachtmaster practical exam. Is it based upon mimimum seatime & who decides which exam you enter for?
I've heard that if you're not good enough for the Yachtmaster you may get the Coastal qualification (second prize?).

I realise that I could be leading with my chin or opening up a can of worms but but it would be nice to find out

 

[david_bagshaw]

Re: Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaste exam, what\'s the differ

For the difference between the two see
http://www.rya.org.uk/Training/motorCruising/

And compare.

It does seem at times your comment … Is it based upon minimum sea time & who decides which exam you enter for? Is true

When I took my YM I was told at the start, by my training school “if I was good, but not good enough for Y.M. I would be awarded coastal skipper.”, but this was a few years ago & things might be different now.


Good luck

David
www.euroboating.net

 

[rogerroger]

Re: Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaste exam, what\'s the di

As far as I'm aware the exam are exactly the same. The difference is you are tested far harder for YM and whereas there's a lot more give and take for CS. For example, a YM candidate is expected to be able to pickup a MOB quickly and correctly on the first attempt. A CS candidate on the other hand will still pass if he recovers the MOB but maybe forgets to give clear instructions or whatever.

The YM candidates will be expected to know ALL the col regs, the CS candidate will probably pass if they can't recognise a vessel undergoing underwater work at night for example.

I went straight from Day Skipper to YM but had skippered a lot and crossed the Channel and the pond. I did find it perhaps the hardest work I've ever done and I think if you can afford to do the CS first it'll be a lot less pressured.

Good luck.

Oh, and yes, I don't think it's official but if you fail your YM you'll get CS anyway (unless you're hopeless!) so you've little to lose byu going for it - a girl on my course was doing CS but was talked into taking the YM exam by the instructor and she passed...

Roger Holden
www.first-magnitude.co.uk

 

[RupertW]

Re: Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaste exam, what\'s the differ

My YM examiner started the exam by saying that "Coastal skippers pass by proving that they can skipper a boat safely. Yachtmasters must do it with flair".

 

[rogerroger]

Re: Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaste exam, what\'s the di

now why can't I be that succinct ??!

Roger Holden
www.first-magnitude.co.uk

 

[Guest]

Re: Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaste exam, what\'s the di

when i did my ym, there was a coastal skipper candidate on board. she was examined for an hour or too - my grilling was for 15 hours. she had fewer logged hours but then who is there to check anyway. the only other difference seemed to be in the extent of mistakes that would be tolerated - fewer for the ym.

the pass rate for ym practical is, i believe, about 80%. the hours specified is only to ensure that you have a certain level of experience. if the hours are gained skippering in tidal waters, you need fewer than crewing for someone else on an atlantic crossing.

go for it. i found it quite stressful and not easy - but i certainly learned a lot about skippering, and tha management of a boat.

 

[peterk]

Re: Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaste exam, what\'s the differ

hi, I am a sailor from Vienna.
The only reason folks in Austria take the kind of exams
you describe
is because some charterfirms want to see that paper -
and because they believe in licenses .
you don't need one to sail your own boat.
The people holding the classes of course
charge good money.
In 1998 the Austrian Sailing Federation,
one of the course-givers(and examiners)
invited me
to show a slide presentation
about my last long voyage.
When I told the fellow
who was about to introduce me:
'Ahem - I don't have any sailing certificate.'
he said quickly:
'Well maybe you had better not mention that'...

...peter http://juprowa.com/kittel

 

[Guest]

Re: Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaste exam, what\'s the differ

As a Yachtmaster Examiner of some 26 years experience I can assure you all that if you come to me there is little chance of a Yachtmaster candidate being awarded a Coastal Skipper certificate as some sort of consolation prize. It can be done, but happens very rarely.
Which exam you take is entirely up to you, just so long as you have sufficient seatime for the exam you want to take. See RYA publication G 15 The Cruising Log Book for details.
As for the difference between the two it is the difference an examiner might expect between a candidate with CS experience requirements and one with YM experience requirements. The tasks will be much the same.

 

[Guest]

Re: Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaste exam, what\'s the differ

As a longstanding (37 years) boater both inland (don't laugh: we learn how to handle big boats accurately and properly at close quarters!) and as a regular sailor at sea, and as a holder of an RYA Coastal Skipper certificate, I am stll not sure where the full Yachtmaster certificate leaves you. I am sure I will get shot down by various correspondents but the fact remains that I, and several compatriots whom I know, have completed numerous non-YM-qualifying channel crossings in varying weather, in the Dover straits area or, for example, Ijmuiden - Hull, always dodging the shipping, often shorter crewed than I would have liked (viz: crew on board but incapacitated!), creeping up the Humber at night (is that a nav. light or a car's brake light????) and feel that this sort of experience must in some respects exceed the experience deemed desirable by the RYA to spend whatever hours on passage in open waters to wherever with the autopilot is locked on to. There would seem to be room to widen the scope of the lesser YM courses, and for these to be less prescriptive on actual logged sea time as opposed to navigational and pilotage experience. Surely it should be overall experience which counts, not just the number of hours spent out of sight of land (and quite possibly other ships!). I'm tempted to suggest that a competent Coastal Skipper could be a better insurance risk than a single handed snoozing global circumnavigator!!

 

[Guest]

Re: Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaste exam, what\'s the differ

If insurance companies want to use the RYA certificates to decide on what premium you pay that is up to them. It has never been the RYA's idea that the certificates should be used for this purpose. Candidates should not take the exams with this purpose in mind but to find out if they have reached a certain level of competence which is generally recognised within the yachting community.
As far as quality of sea experience goes you will find the answers to your queries on page 32 et seq of RYA publication G 15/98. It is far too lengthy to reproduce here.

 

[HappyHunter]

Re: Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaste exam, what\'s the differ

I did my Coastal Skipper exam with three other guys, each of whom were doing the Yachtmaster. There was really no difference between the tasks that each of us were allotted, and I defy anyone to say that examiners can detect subtleties at that level over such a short period. The examiner asked me why I hadn't applied for the YM, and told me that if I had, I'd have passed. I didn't have the miles but the other guys told me I should have faked them - in the "professional" yacht skipper world (Med, deliveries), where they need the paper quals this is apparently the done thing.

I have to say, the examiner was a great guy, and taught us all a few tricks.

So, the books may say one thing, but based on my experience there is little to choose between them.

 

[jimi]

Re: Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaste exam, what\'s the differ

Maybe if people are faking the miles that's why Mr Neilson finds so many YMs having problems.

 

[seahorse]

Re: Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaste exam, what\'s the differ

Many thanks 4 all your replies, I'm a bit clearer now but in light of all your experience it seems a bit "suck it & see". Different examiners & different ideas/attitudes I suppose.
HOWEVER! I will do the course & I Will enjoy it & I'm sure I'll learn a lot & have some good sailing.
Everything else will be a bonus.

 

[Guest]

Re: Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaste exam, what\'s the differ

Mind you, even if you decide after all this to take the YM practical, dont kid yourself that the cert will be much use to you abroad. For that you have to have an ICC and (you guessed it) the RYA want another £28 for issuing it.

But you can get the ICC without your YM but after taking a simple practical test.

I suspect that the real reason for keeping the coastal skipper ticket is the RYA desire for money. After all, there must be a fair number who do both coastal skipper and ym tests.

 

[seahorse]

Re: Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaste exam, what\'s the differ

£28!!!!!!!!!!???????
I thought you saved up tokens from Corn Flake packets for them!
I understand there's no exam & are issued on the basis of
"experience", real or imagined.

 

[gtmoore]

Re: Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaste exam, what\'s the differ

Quoting the RYA web site for a Coastal ICC:
"The accepted evidences of competence are listed in full on the last page of the ICC application form, but basically a course completion certificate for Day Skipper practical or above is sufficient evidence for operating a sailing vessel with an auxiliary engine. For motor cruisers Day Skipper (Power) is acceptable and for small motor boats, ribs etc Power Boat Level 2 or above is required."

 

[Guest]

Re: Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaste exam, what\'s the differ

Join the RYA and get your ICC for FREE. Another good reason for joining and taking part rather than sitting on the guardrails and complaining. ICC is necessary because local officials in non English speaking countries refuse to accept certificates written only in English like YM and CS certs. Shouting loud enough just won't do!

 

[david_bagshaw]

Re: Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaste exam, what\'s the differ

Along with the ICC you will still need Coastal skipper or yachtmaster on the Dutch coast, Waddensee & Schelde if the boat is larger than 14 mtr or faster tan I think 14 Kn.


David
www.euroboating.net

 

[seahorse]

Re: Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaste exam, what\'s the differ

Very interesting......I know an ICC holder who claims he got it by writing to the RYA & recounting his experience in the navy.
No RYA certs at all!

 

[Guest]

Re: Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaste exam, what\'s the differ

am a member, and do take part, but am still irritated by the approach of the rya to this issue.

if indeed it is only an problem of language, then why can they not re-print the singularly unimpressive ym certificate in a selection of european languages?

and do you really believe that the cost of issuing an icc remotely approaches the rya charge which is - by pure coincidence - £1 more than the cost of individual membership (which entitles you to a free icc).

the pricing of the icc is, in my view, neither subtle nor intelligent. it simply invites cynicism about the rya's approach to its constituency. shame, since in my view they do quite a good job.