What does "Yachtmaster" mean at the moment?

[Mark-1]

If someone says, without any caveats, "I passed my YM" or "You should do YM" what is the established meaning? Course Completion/Coastal/Offshore/Ocean?

 

[Boathook]

For me the theory course , above coastal but below ocean.
It was called yacht master theory back in the day and then there was the practical.

 

[capnsensible]

For many years, the theory course has been called Coastal/ Yachtmaster theory.

In my view, one should be assessed at sea to demonstrate the skills required to call oneself a 'Yachtmaster'.

 

[Chiara’s slave]

For many years, the theory course has been called Coastal/ Yachtmaster theory.

In my view, one should be assessed at sea to demonstrate the skills required to call oneself a 'Yachtmaster'.

I don’t think there’s much room for debate on that.

 

[capnsensible]

A little bit of history. 2 years old, but unchanged.

The history of the RYA Yachtmaster scheme as it turns 50 - Yachting Monthly

 

[capnsensible]

I don’t think there’s much room for debate on that.

Cmon, this is Scuttlebutt!!

 

[Chiara’s slave]

A little bit of history. 2 years old, but unchanged.

The history of the RYA Yachtmaster scheme as it turns 50 - Yachting Monthly

That’s reminded me that mine is 35 years old.

 

[capnsensible]

That’s reminded me that mine is 35 years old.

Sprog.

 

[RunAgroundHard]

Without any caveats, I would ask what course? However, I would tend to think about the YM Offshore CoC.

Mine is 40 years old.

 

[ylop]

If someone says, without any caveats, "I passed my YM" or "You should do YM" what is the established meaning? Course Completion/Coastal/Offshore/Ocean?

I would ask them. Its a bit like saying "you should do a first aid course" - there are various flavours for various needs.

 

[BobnLesley]

I understand that the 'Coastal Skipper' practical course I completed about 25 years ago is nowadays branded (presumably for marketing reasons) as 'Yachtmaster Coastal'

 

[bobgarrett]

YachtMaster? Male only?

 

[benjenbav]

The naming seems to have gone in the opposite direction to that applicable to certain professions, with multiple levels of YM.

Contrast my profession: all qualified solicitors who were not partners or sole principals in their firms used to be known as “assistant solicitors”.

As with junior doctors, highly skilled and experienced 40y/o practitioners were often underwhelmed by a title that vaguely suggested that they made the tea.

Those professions have both now moved to more flattering titles and certainly in law there are separate levels, associate, senior associate etc.

But every YM is a YM. Need to look at the fine print to see the differences.

 

[RunAgroundHard]

YachtMaster? Male only?

Master is gender neutral in the context of skill. For example:-

• Katherine le Fevre: Appointed as the royal master smith responsible for all ironwork at the Tower of London in 1346 during wartime with France. Her responsibilities included essential military supplies like arrowheads and armor, as well as general ironmongery.

 

[ylop]

Those professions have both now moved to more flattering titles and certainly in law there are separate levels, associate, senior associate etc.

But those are employer specific aren't they? i.e. the professional body doesn't decide the level after specific training and exams and being an associate in one firm might be senior associate elsewhere?

But every YM is a YM. Need to look at the fine print to see the differences.

You are all solicitors aren't you? you need to look at the fine print to see the differences.

 

[AllWinds]

I understand that the 'Coastal Skipper' practical course I completed about 25 years ago is nowadays branded (presumably for marketing reasons) as 'Yachtmaster Coastal'

Not quite, Coastal Skipper still exists. There used to be a Coastal Skipper CoC (I believe), which was Coastal Skipper with an external assessment at the end. Coastal Skipper Coc (not just the Coastal Skipper course completion) I believe, has been remarketed as Yachtmaster Coastal.

 

[Goldie]

If someone says, without any caveats, "I passed my YM" or "You should do YM" what is the established meaning? Course Completion/Coastal/Offshore/Ocean?

I do know someone who claimed to be a Yachtmaster - he’d completed DS and YM theory - but at that point, had yet to set foot on a boat! He subsequently, and after a few trips on a friend’s boat, put himself forward for the Coastal practical. He was awarded DS in the end, and having sailed with him subsequently, I suspect that was out of sympathy!

As an aside, am I the only one that thinks that the re-branding of Coastal Skipper (a worthy qualification though it was) as YM (Coastal) devalues the ‘Yachtmaster’ qualification? Will we be be seeing YM (Day Skipper) next?

 

[Justino]

Most people mean Yachtmaster Offshore unless they say otherwise. Coastal or Ocean is usually specified.

 

[RunAgroundHard]

Yachtmaster became a brand and the brand value is important to the RYA. I think any devaluing of Yachtmaster is more to do with post examination degradation of skills. As there is no post award follow up on competency, skills development or verification, the standard of Yachtmaster can fall in individuals. How much of this is an actual problem, I really don't know.

 

[Chiara’s slave]

Yachtmaster became a brand and the brand value is important to the RYA. I think any devaluing of Yachtmaster is more to do with post examination degradation of skills. As there is no post award follow up on competency, skills development or verification, the standard of Yachtmaster can fall in individuals. How much of this is an actual problem, I really don't know.

That was kind of what I meant when pointing out mine is 35 years old. And whilst I haven’t been reprimanded by the YM examiner I’ve sailed with more recently (rather the other way about, but that was racing) I daresay I’m no longer ‘by the book’.