Seeking RYA Yachtmaster Instructor/ Examiner For hire?

[ritchyp]

Hi Members,

I have been sailing on and off all my life since my Early adolescence. I'm in my 50s now and bought my first boat in 2020, a Moody 30. I've been cruising the Solent since and logging my hours in. I bought a 36 foot Feeling 1090 in January this year and sailed her round from Ipswich to Southampton where I keep her. I got my night hours in for YM Coastal & Passed RYA Yachtmaster Theory last December. I did the day skipper Theory 10 years ago.
I am planning to Live aboard by the end of Summer this year and want to take her down to the Med and Aegean in early September. Yes I could just pass Day skipper and apply for an ICC but I prefer to have the highest certification I can get but don't have enough hours logged in my book for YM Offshore.
As I already own a very well equipped and capable yacht, I don't see the point in paying for a 5 day prep course as a chunk of that is for a share of the use/charter of the vessel. The guys I usually sail with who are veterans of decades of sailing, encouraged me to pay an Instructor to come out for a few days and go through all the things that come up in a test and put me through my paces. If he is an RYA accredited Examiner, then even put me through the test once the fee is paid and the paperwork done at a later date.

There it is..... Candidates and or recommendations gratefully welcome.

Thanks Rick

 

[Daydream believer]

I was under the impression that the person involved in training could not undertake the exam.
Others may comment, if I am correct or not.

 

[Nina Lucia]

Hi, I just send you pm with recommendation

 

[ylop]

I was under the impression that the person involved in training could not undertake the exam.
Others may comment, if I am correct or not.

that is correct - the examiner can not have been involved in any prep/training work for the exam to avoid a conflict of interest. In fact I'm not sure if you can even "pick" the examiner, I thought the RYA allocated rather than the other way round?

Yes I could just pass Day skipper and apply for an ICC but I prefer to have the highest certification I can get but don't have enough hours logged in my book for YM Offshore.

Not trying to start an argument but if you were the type of person who likes to have the highest certification would your not already have at the very least Day Skipper? Have you missed a simpler/cheaper route? to get an ICC you don't need to do the full day skipper course (5 days) you can just sit a 1/2 day test. Having done that you might have accrued enough hours for the YM offshore by the time you get to Greece then book on that course if you want the full "ticket".

 

[Tranona]

An ICC is not compulsory - just nice to have. Equally your DS or YM is of little interest to any officials in the Med. Required qualifications are related to flag state and for UK registered private boats there are no requirements. RYA qualifications are primarily for self rather than to satisfy any external body.

The idea of one to one tuition in preparation is good. However as said such a person cannot also be the examiner. S/he could if an examiner issue an ICC, which is very basic and usually only takes 3 or 4 hours.

On a slightly different note I assume that if you are a UK citizen you have considered the not inconsiderable constraints as a liveaboard taking a boat to the Med. Nothing to do with your ability but related to taking a UK boat into the EU and more particularly you going with it.

 

[morgandlm]

Yesterday I crewed for a friend of mine who is a very experienced sailor, ex RN but has no RYA qualifications. He had an instructor / examiner on board from 0930 until about 1530 during which time he had a sort of oral evaluation concerning collision regs, lights, passage planning, lights etc and then a practical "test" including the usual MOB, picking up a mooring, going alongside, sailing a triangular course etc.All this on his own boat. After all this, he was issued with pass certification to enable him to apply for an ICC from RYA. It was a good process, very constructive and instructive with a good outcome. For what it's worth, I have an ICC having completed the old Coastal Skipper practical and yacht master theory many years ago which enables an automatic ICC. I too learned something yesterday.

David Morgan

 

[ylop]

An ICC is not compulsory - just nice to have. Equally your DS or YM is of little interest to any officials in the Med. Required qualifications are related to flag state and for UK registered private boats there are no requirements. RYA qualifications are primarily for self rather than to satisfy any external body.

The idea of one to one tuition in preparation is good. However as said such a person cannot also be the examiner. S/he could if an examiner issue an ICC, which is very basic and usually only takes 3 or 4 hours.

On a slightly different note I assume that if you are a UK citizen you have considered the not inconsiderable constraints as a liveaboard taking a boat to the Med. Nothing to do with your ability but related to taking a UK boat into the EU and more particularly you going with it.

the RYA seem to think you DO need to have a certificate of competence even as the skipper of a U.K. flagged pleasure vessel in Greece or Croatia. The ICC being the easiest way to show that.

Evidence of Competence Abroad | boating abroad | RYA

 

[Tranona]

the RYA seem to think you DO need to have a certificate of competence even as the skipper of a U.K. flagged pleasure vessel in Greece or Croatia. The ICC being the easiest way to show that.

Evidence of Competence Abroad | boating abroad | RYA

No, it is only "recommended" - there is no legal requirement in either country, neither of which are signatories. It is normally a requirement for chartering or skippering a locally registered boat. It does come in useful if you get involved in any incident that requires attendance by for example the coastguard as both countries tend to impound vessels and enter a process of investigation where having a "licence" is a great help. In such situations an ICC is acceptable, but an appropriate RYA qualification without an ICC would also be acceptable.

So, it really is sensible to have an ICC if cruising those areas just in case, although the chances of being asked are small.

 

[Tranona]

Yesterday I crewed for a friend of mine who is a very experienced sailor, ex RN but has no RYA qualifications. He had an instructor / examiner on board from 0930 until about 1530 during which time he had a sort of oral evaluation concerning collision regs, lights, passage planning, lights etc and then a practical "test" including the usual MOB, picking up a mooring, going alongside, sailing a triangular course etc.All this on his own boat. After all this, he was issued with pass certification to enable him to apply for an ICC from RYA. It was a good process, very constructive and instructive with a good outcome. For what it's worth, I have an ICC having completed the old Coastal Skipper practical and yacht master theory many years ago which enables an automatic ICC. I too learned something yesterday.

David Morgan

That is exactly how it should be. Assessment of the competences and a good assessor will make the process as useful as possible for the assessed.

 

[Richard10002]

I was under the impression that the person involved in training could not undertake the exam.
Others may comment, if I am correct or not.

That's my understanding too.

 

[jlavery]

Back to the OP - yes a peripatetic instructor can teach you, but any certificates have to be assessed and issued under the auspices of a Training Establishment. As well as the instructor/examiner split. Some sailing clubs are able to arrange ICC assessments for members.

 

[ylop]

No, it is only "recommended" - there is no legal requirement in either country, neither of which are signatories. It is normally a requirement for chartering or skippering a locally registered boat. It does come in useful if you get involved in any incident that requires attendance by for example the coastguard as both countries tend to impound vessels and enter a process of investigation where having a "licence" is a great help. In such situations an ICC is acceptable, but an appropriate RYA qualification without an ICC would also be acceptable.

So, it really is sensible to have an ICC if cruising those areas just in case, although the chances of being asked are small.

That’s not how I read the RYA guidance. I read it as “Yes proof of competence is esssential” and “the ICC is recommended as the way to prove competence”. Here is their specific page on Greece: Greece | boating abroad | RYA

Now I don’t know if that interpretation is strictly accurate (presumably only a Greek court can actually describe - and it’s unlikely any sensible Brit is going to tackle that nightmare if there’s a cheap and quick option to buy your way out of the problem). Nor do I know how often the local port police actually apply these sort of rules…

 

[[3889]]

No, it is only "recommended" - there is no legal requirement in either country, neither of which are signatories. It is normally a requirement for chartering or skippering a locally registered boat. It does come in useful if you get involved in any incident that requires attendance by for example the coastguard as both countries tend to impound vessels and enter a process of investigation where having a "licence" is a great help. In such situations an ICC is acceptable, but an appropriate RYA qualification without an ICC would also be acceptable.

So, it really is sensible to have an ICC if cruising those areas just in case, although the chances of being asked are small.

Working for Sunsail in Greece, with a CI qualification, they insisted I obtained an ICC as a legal requirement. Didn't check the legalities behind this but they were desperate for staff so can't see them putting unnecessary hurdles in the way.

 

[capnsensible]

Hi Members,

I have been sailing on and off all my life since my Early adolescence. I'm in my 50s now and bought my first boat in 2020, a Moody 30. I've been cruising the Solent since and logging my hours in. I bought a 36 foot Feeling 1090 in January this year and sailed her round from Ipswich to Southampton where I keep her. I got my night hours in for YM Coastal & Passed RYA Yachtmaster Theory last December. I did the day skipper Theory 10 years ago.
I am planning to Live aboard by the end of Summer this year and want to take her down to the Med and Aegean in early September. Yes I could just pass Day skipper and apply for an ICC but I prefer to have the highest certification I can get but don't have enough hours logged in my book for YM Offshore.
As I already own a very well equipped and capable yacht, I don't see the point in paying for a 5 day prep course as a chunk of that is for a share of the use/charter of the vessel. The guys I usually sail with who are veterans of decades of sailing, encouraged me to pay an Instructor to come out for a few days and go through all the things that come up in a test and put me through my paces. If he is an RYA accredited Examiner, then even put me through the test once the fee is paid and the paperwork done at a later date.

There it is..... Candidates and or recommendations gratefully welcome.

Thanks Rick

Hiya. As with these type of questions, do try talking direct to the RYA. easy by phone and they will give you the real deal, not best intentioned guesses!

RYA training. 0238 0604100. That's the main switchboard. Ask for training. Well worth a chat then you can download the booking form having sorted suitable dates. They can put you I touch with examiners.....they will not teach you first. Ask if can recommend an instructor who can do some prep with you.....or try a local sailing school.
You do have to get the miles/days/passages/night hours in to be eligible for the Offshore test. If you aren't sure or can't get them by exam time you could take the Coastal exam. You choose. It's not given as a consolation prize if you fail the Offshore!

The Offshore exam is very thorough. It lasts from 8 to 12 hours for a single candidate and expect some night sailing. You need to know your stuff. I've successfully prepared scores of people for it. I totally recommend the RYA Yachtmaster Handbook by James Stevens who used to run the cruising scheme. Brill.

Good luck and the key is preparation. Lots!

 

[Elessar]

Hi Members,

I have been sailing on and off all my life since my Early adolescence. I'm in my 50s now and bought my first boat in 2020, a Moody 30. I've been cruising the Solent since and logging my hours in. I bought a 36 foot Feeling 1090 in January this year and sailed her round from Ipswich to Southampton where I keep her. I got my night hours in for YM Coastal & Passed RYA Yachtmaster Theory last December. I did the day skipper Theory 10 years ago.
I am planning to Live aboard by the end of Summer this year and want to take her down to the Med and Aegean in early September. Yes I could just pass Day skipper and apply for an ICC but I prefer to have the highest certification I can get but don't have enough hours logged in my book for YM Offshore.
As I already own a very well equipped and capable yacht, I don't see the point in paying for a 5 day prep course as a chunk of that is for a share of the use/charter of the vessel. The guys I usually sail with who are veterans of decades of sailing, encouraged me to pay an Instructor to come out for a few days and go through all the things that come up in a test and put me through my paces. If he is an RYA accredited Examiner, then even put me through the test once the fee is paid and the paperwork done at a later date.

There it is..... Candidates and or recommendations gratefully welcome.

Thanks Rick

That’s exactly what I did. My first ever RYA exam was YM offshore prepped 1:1 on my own boat. I hadn’t even done the theory exam - you don’t need to have but the examiner will test it more thoroughly if you haven’t.

I went on to do YM theory and become an instructor myself which I do only occasionally and for fun, but when I retire I might do a bit more of it.

The exam is great that way too because you get the examiner 1:1. All the examiners I have met (inc our own John Morris) have a huge amount of skill and experience to share, and I learned more from the 15 or so hours I spent with the examiner than during the prep!

 

[Tranona]

That’s not how I read the RYA guidance. I read it as “Yes proof of competence is esssential” and “the ICC is recommended as the way to prove competence”. Here is their specific page on Greece: Greece | boating abroad | RYA

Now I don’t know if that interpretation is strictly accurate (presumably only a Greek court can actually describe - and it’s unlikely any sensible Brit is going to tackle that nightmare if there’s a cheap and quick option to buy your way out of the problem). Nor do I know how often the local port police actually apply these sort of rules…

Maybe I am out of date, but have never seen this being implemented or seen any reports of people having issues with certification. There must hundreds if not thousands of UK flagged vessels roaming around Greece with skippers who do not have qualifications. would be interesting to hear of recent experiences.

 

[Davy_S]

I have never heard of a UK flagged yacht being asked for an ICC, my own experience was, i owned a 22ft Cranchi, ssr registered with 140hp, brit insurance, no problems at all, when it came to renewing the insurance i used a Greek broker, i was then asked to produce my ICC which i did, i bought the insurance, no problems. an Italian friend owned a rib with 15hp (the max allowed on a rib) he changed the engine to a 25hp model, the port police spotted this, he was made to take the Greek power boat licence (with an interpreter) he passed, all was legal and ok, (obviously being Italian he could not have an ICC)
I helped a friend renting out small boats for tourists, i gave them a brief bit of training before letting them loose, i was never even asked for an ICC by the port police.
The port police told me they were not interested in asking any Brit yacht for qualifications, it was only when chartering a Greek registered yacht, then they were asked for ICC.

 

[Seastoke]

Hi Members,

I have been sailing on and off all my life since my Early adolescence. I'm in my 50s now and bought my first boat in 2020, a Moody 30. I've been cruising the Solent since and logging my hours in. I bought a 36 foot Feeling 1090 in January this year and sailed her round from Ipswich to Southampton where I keep her. I got my night hours in for YM Coastal & Passed RYA Yachtmaster Theory last December. I did the day skipper Theory 10 years ago.
I am planning to Live aboard by the end of Summer this year and want to take her down to the Med and Aegean in early September. Yes I could just pass Day skipper and apply for an ICC but I prefer to have the highest certification I can get but don't have enough hours logged in my book for YM Offshore.
As I already own a very well equipped and capable yacht, I don't see the point in paying for a 5 day prep course as a chunk of that is for a share of the use/charter of the vessel. The guys I usually sail with who are veterans of decades of sailing, encouraged me to pay an Instructor to come out for a few days and go through all the things that come up in a test and put me through my paces. If he is an RYA accredited Examiner, then even put me through the test once the fee is paid and the paperwork done at a later date.

There it is..... Candidates and or recommendations gratefully welcome.

Thanks Rick

How are you going to cope with the 90 day rule