Foreign "yachtmaster" style tickets

[jerrytug]

France,Spain definitely and probably the others insist on passing theory and practical tests before taking a yacht out. Avoiding the rights and wrongs of compulsion,has anyone studied the textbooks or exam papers,or even done the "practical"? There must be some useful tips to pick up on due to difference of emphasis at least. One thing that I am curious about is pychology,basically getting on with the crew,is it part of any yacht syllabus abroad? But any comments or a steer to a source of info very welcome,regards,Jerry

 

[LostinFrance]

No such requirements in France. I fact there is no national qualification for yachts comaprable with the UK Yachtmaster. Unless you're a MOBO driver, then you need to take an exam, but nothing in the syllabus refers to managing a crew.

 

[oldsaltoz]

France,Spain definitely and probably the others insist on passing theory and practical tests before taking a yacht out. Avoiding the rights and wrongs of compulsion,has anyone studied the textbooks or exam papers,or even done the "practical"? There must be some useful tips to pick up on due to difference of emphasis at least. One thing that I am curious about is pychology,basically getting on with the crew,is it part of any yacht syllabus abroad? But any comments or a steer to a source of info very welcome,regards,Jerry

Some years since I did my Offshore Yachtmasters here in Oz, run by the AYF Aust Tachting Federation.

There were a few attending from the USA and Canada because the Oz is very well regarded there and they planned to work in the industry.

Comprised of several lectures and practical exercises with mini exams to make sure everyone was keeping up.

Near the end a 4 hour written exam, then a further practical exam on the water with an AYF examiner; the yacht must be provisioned for a minimum of 36 hours at sea. During this time you have a man overboard about twice an hour on average and the examiner is very strict about who is responsible for what and when, positions changed after each exercise. A whit fender was used to represent the MOB, we all felt pretty stupid when checking vital signs each time it was hauled back on board.

Then there is blind navigation, plotting, distance off, terminology, knot tying and lots more to go through.

When you finally get back on shore you have a one on one 2 hour oral exam with the same inspector, then wait till all others have completed their 2 hour session before you get your result and certificates.

As for training and advice on how you handle others on board, this can be discussed during the lectures and presentations but does was not set out as a session when I did my exams.

Of the 22 that started 8 dropped out and of the 14 remaining 3 failed and one failed to attend.

I was lucky because the inspector elected to use my boat as one of the 4 selected with 3 other members also up for the exam and we were all good close friends; the subject of getting with each other never came up during the exam.

There are plenty of very good books on the subject as well as presentations, I should know I was a front line Supervisor back then and conflict resolution was always high on the agenda with 18 blokes on 4 shifts.

Avagoodweekend......