RYA Night Hours

[Alanprib]

What qualifies for logging night hours towards the RYA Yachtmaster pre-qualification.

Is it actual hours of darkness (sunset to sun rise) or some other period of time.

Basic examples:
July = Sunset 21:00 Sun Rise 05:00 = 8 hours can be logged
December = Sunset 16:00 Sun Rise 08:00 = 16 hours can be logged

Is my assumption correct?

 

[skip50]

What qualifies for logging night hours towards the RYA Yachtmaster pre-qualification.

Is it actual hours of darkness (sunset to sun rise) or some other period of time.

Basic examples:
July = Sunset 21:00 Sun Rise 05:00 = 8 hours can be logged
December = Sunset 16:00 Sun Rise 08:00 = 16 hours can be logged

Is my assumption correct?

Sunset to sunrise when I did my YM Offshore, a long time ago.

I expect it is on the RYA website

 

[Sandy]

I record sunset to sunrise for the latitude I am sailing in.

 

[[194224]]

In my RYA logbook (quite old!) under Sea Experience, Night hours it says
"This is the hours on watch (their emphasis) or taking an active part in the navigation or handling of the yacht, at sea between sunset and sunrise"

If you're really on watch for 16 hours in December then yes you could log them. You can't count time in your pit.

 

[Sandy]

I've never counted my on watch time. If the boat was making way then divide the night hours by three and that should give you an estimation of time on watch. No extra points for standing a lone watch, single handed or being called up for something on deck ?

 

[Uricanejack]

Not something I’ve ever considered. You sail overnight it’s going to get dark unless you are very far north.
so if you have done it a bunch of times you will have more than enough.
does anyone actually check the exact No of hours.

 

[zoidberg]

if you have done it a bunch of times you will have more than enough.
does anyone actually check the exact No of hours.

I've had more than enuff night sailing..... in freezing fog/driving rain.

And yes, I can tell you the exact number of hours. Actually, I can tell you the exact number of minutes.....'cos I counted every last one of them until it was time for me to climb into my pit.

 

[Neeves]

If you are single handed, or the skipper of a novice crew you are obviously on watch, or on call, 24/7

Does that count?

And more serious

Being on watch wearing shorts and a 'T' shirt crossing the China Sea is slightly less onerous than Zoidberg's freezing fog and driving rain. Are China Sea, or northern Tasman Sea miles different to Northern North Sea miles?

I know which miles I would prefer

Jonathan

 

[roaringgirl]

If you're scraping together hours to see if you have enough, you probably need some more!

 

[lustyd]

Seems to me that if the RYA wanted more hours they’d ask for more, but they haven’t so are likely very happy with the number they set. If someone can manage by scraping those together then fine, it’s designed such that you could take the courses in order and theoretically pass (zero to hero does this). All they want is to know that you’re comfortable at night sailing and a chat with the examiner will determine that whether you’ve done 5 or 500 hours. It’s usually pretty obvious whether someone has experience.

 

[edsailing]

I have refused delivery crew requests to sign off all hours of darkness as "night hours". Not "on watch", not counted as far as I was concerned.

 

[capnsensible]

Not something I’ve ever considered. You sail overnight it’s going to get dark unless you are very far north.
so if you have done it a bunch of times you will have more than enough.
does anyone actually check the exact No of hours.

The application form for the RYA MCA Yachtmaster Offshore e xam has a section to be completed for qualifying seatime in days, miles and hours and the qualifying passages have been completed.

This is inspected by the examiner at the start of the candidates exam. The candidate is required to sign and date the form. So if they tell porkies, they are cheating themselves....

 

[capnsensible]

I have refused delivery crew requests to sign off all hours of darkness as "night hours". Not "on watch", not counted as far as I was concerned.

Yeah and not counted by the RYA qualifying requirements either!

 

[Neeves]

If you're scraping together hours to see if you have enough, you probably need some more!

Some. many, a few, of us 'sail' because it is one of the environments where there are no rules. We require no support we live our lives freely.

We actually don't need a qualification to allow us to do what we want.

I, we, appreciate, that we may impose on others in the extreme (we get it badly wrong - rescue services are called out) but there is no evidence that having an ocean going qualification is an advantage

We, like thousands before us, don't need to 'scrape hours together' - we do it, we are here, still alive.

Maybe time, or age, will cull our numbers before we are a real liability. The problem is that, my understanding, you can gain qualifications - which you then hold in perpetuity.....?

I was too busy, earning money, to allow payment of the mortgage - to support a qualification and now I am 'comfortable' .... I'm too old to need one (a qualification).



If you feel the need for more qualifications - you need more time at sea.

Jonathan

 

[john_morris_uk]

If anyone is a half serious sailor and they make overnight passages racking up the night hours (one’s when you’re actually ‘on watch’) then they soon get enough hours for the RYA requirement. Ultimately the days and miles and hours are self certified but when I’m examining someone it’s soon pretty obvious what experience they really have.

 

[Never Grumble]

Isn't the pre requisite number of night hours/overnight passages so low that you really don't have to prove much, which in reality means how you count them shouldn't be an issue.

 

[capnsensible]

Some. many, a few, of us 'sail' because it is one of the environments where there are no rules. We require no support we live our lives freely.

Jonathan

Urban myth, I'm afraid, me salty old seadog. Of course there are rules.

You have a duty of care to any crew and to other vessels.

You must conform to the International Rules for the Prevention of Collision at Sea.

You are liable under some aspects of the SOLAS convention.

You are liable under sections of the MARPOL marine pollution convention.

In your own nation state you are liable under any local bylaws for harbours, bays, estuaries, etc.

In other nation States you are required to conform to their requirements for customs and Immigration.

Yadda, yadda.

Those that have been coached at sea schools know this.

 

[zoidberg]

"Rools is for the guidance of wise men and the obedience of fules."

Says nothing about ladies.....

 

[capnsensible]

"Rools is for the guidance of wise men and the obedience of fules."

Says nothing about ladies.....

Until you get nicked.......

 

[ncounties]

What qualifies for logging night hours towards the RYA Yachtmaster pre-qualification.

Is it actual hours of darkness (sunset to sun rise) or some other period of time.

Basic examples:
July = Sunset 21:00 Sun Rise 05:00 = 8 hours can be logged
December = Sunset 16:00 Sun Rise 08:00 = 16 hours can be logged

Is my assumption correct?

Night sailing is from sunset to sunrise, so your assumption is correct. Whether you are on watch or not, you are sailing through the night. Either making food/drinks for the crew on watch, trying to fall asleep so you are somewhat rested for your next watch, or getting your rest interrupted because more hands are needed on deck.

When doing my YM Coastal in the Solent, my assessor reviewed my log, but didn't question my method of night hours calculation. He'd have soon realised had I been lying anyway.

That being said, I would remind you though that the requirements are the minimum amount needed. By the time you'll be going for your YM you should have enough hours to meet the requirements and then some. If you are just over the minimums, I'd wait until you get some more experience.