What’s the difference between Costal Skipper theory and Yachtmastee

[farquart]

Currently I’m delivering yachts down to the med as crew and now Thinking about taking more qualifications so I get paid to deliver. I’ve DS theory and practical, my last skipper said that Yacht master theory is the same as coastal is this correct. I’ve got loads of experience but no qualifications, could I jump straight to Yacht master?

 

[Daedelus]

It's called Coastal Yachtmaster and Yachtmaster Offshore and the theory course is the same.

The practical is a bit different.

 

[Praxinoscope]

I don’t remember a YM coastal being around when I took my YM back in the early 80’s. Wasn’t it just the Offshore then?

 

[Sandy]

I’ve got loads of experience but no qualifications, could I jump straight to Yacht master?

Yes. The standard for Offshore is higher in both theory and practical. It is up to the examiner to judge if you are at the level on the day.

 

[newtothis]

I don’t remember a YM coastal being around when I took my YM back in the early 80’s. Wasn’t it just the Offshore then?

There was an interim period when it went Day Skipper -> Coastal Skipper -> Yachtmaster -> Yachtmaster Ocean
By the time I did it, it was DS, YM Coastal or YM Offshore (less difficult practical for Coastal) -> YM Ocean.
Paperwork for coastal and offshore is the same.
(prepared for current instructors and more recent passees to correct this)

 

[Praxinoscope]

Ah So! Yes that rings a bell, when I did the YM it was Day Skipper> Coastal Skipper>Yachtmaster> Yachtmaster Ocean.
My YM in a lovely hard blé cover is designated Offshore, I have done the shorebased Ocean course but have set aside the practical passage as it’s really now no longer convenient to undertake it.

 

[capnsensible]

It's called Coastal Yachtmaster and Yachtmaster Offshore and the theory course is the same.

The practical is a bit different.

Love being a pedant. The theory course is ' Coatal Skipper and Yachtmaster Offshore'.

That's on the front cover of the one I have in front of me.

 

[capnsensible]

Currently I’m delivering yachts down to the med as crew and now Thinking about taking more qualifications so I get paid to deliver. I’ve DS theory and practical, my last skipper said that Yacht master theory is the same as coastal is this correct. I’ve got loads of experience but no qualifications, could I jump straight to Yacht master?

Top tip for commercial. When you take the theory exam, get it invigilated. Lots of Recognised Training Centres will do this for a small fee.

 

[capnsensible]

Yes. The standard for Offshore is higher in both theory and practical. It is up to the examiner to judge if you are at the level on the day.

Nah. You apply for the practical exam at the level you wish to be tested at. This will depend on your qualifying passages and miles.

 

[Sticky Fingers]

Top tip for commercial. When you take the theory exam, get it invigilated. Lots of Recognised Training Centres will do this for a small fee.

Mine was. Why is that a benefit? Commercial endorsement maybe?

 

[capnsensible]

Mine was. Why is that a benefit? Commercial endorsement maybe?

Should it be your chosen career, invigilation of all theory exams is necessary to skipper vessels over 200grt. If that doesn't pan out for any reason, its still worth putting it in the bank just in case. Otherwise you have to do it again. As you can imagine, serious sailors seriously get the hump with that.....

I can give a link to navathome website but would no doubt be winged at. However the clue is there.

 

[SaltyC]

My understanding now is they refuse to commercially endorse any qualifications if the Theory was not invigilated. At the risk of incurring the wrath of the electronic disciples I can understand why.

 

[PhillM]

How do you prove that your exam was invigilated? Mine was online (covid days) but the instructor watched us through our web cams. Does that count and how do you prove it?

 

[SaltyC]

Not sure. I've sat in the room (cabin) whilst the candidate has done the exam on line.
I was aware of physical books and crib sheets, it was them, did they Google parts - ??.
However having sailed with them for a week was confident in their knowledge.

 

[northwind]

You get a special tie when you are a yacht master, nothing like that for coastal skipper...

 

[Praxinoscope]

There’s also a YM/RYA lapel badge.

 

[laika]

I don’t remember a YM coastal being around when I took my YM back in the early 80’s. Wasn’t it just the Offshore then?

Was “coastal” called “yachtmaster inshore” then? This was before I’d ever set foot on a boat but I remember a school friend explaining it to me

 

[capnsensible]

In 1938 the Board of Trade began to hold exams for Yachtmaster Coastal as requested by the Admiralty. This was a written and oral test.

The responsibility moved to the RYA in the early 1970's and conducted the first YM exams in 1973. During this time the title changed to Yachtmaster Offshore.

In the early 1980's, the Coastal Skipper qualification was introduced for those undertaking less ambitious passages and as a stepping stone to YM Offshore.

In 2010, the final definition was arrived at, YM Offshore and YM Coastal.

Thanks to the Yachtmaster Handbook by James Stevens. I recommend a read of this excellent book to anyone preparing themselves to be examined.

 

[Sandy]

Nah. You apply for the practical exam at the level you wish to be tested at. This will depend on your qualifying passages and miles.

Sorry I did miss that step. Of course you apply for the practical exam you think you are at. Sadly, you can't apply for one and be rewarded another. Which personally, I think is silly. Perhaps I feel an email to the training department asking why this silly rule is in place.

Not quite YM Offshore then YM Coastal is awarded, apply for YM Coastal and way above YM Offshore the examiner can only award the YM Coastal. That makes no sense. A change in the rules might get more people doing YM.

 

[capnsensible]

Sorry I did miss that step. Of course you apply for the practical exam you think you are at. Sadly, you can't apply for one and be rewarded another. Which personally, I think is silly. Perhaps I feel an email to the training department asking why this silly rule is in place.

Not quite YM Offshore then YM Coastal is awarded, apply for YM Coastal and way above YM Offshore the examiner can only award the YM Coastal. That makes no sense. A change in the rules might get more people doing YM.

Sorry, don't get this. There is no consolation prize for coming second! It may happen that during an Offshore exam, the examiner could suggest altering the exam to Coastal. But I've never heard of it the other way around.

The scheme has been developed over 84 years. 'They' are good at it!

However I do know that RYA training are always open to suggestions by email. It would be nice if you could post any response?

Also there are examiners who post here occasionally. They will know the rules.