Yachtmaster Ocean

[extravert]

There seems to be some discussion on RYA qualifications here up to yachtmaster offshore, but nothing about yachtmaster ocean. Having recently passed the final exam of my offshore qualification, I am considering the next stage.

Has anyone here done attained this qualification? Is it something mere mortals can expect to pass, because my ocean experience will still be fairly limited, even if it does meet the minimum sea time required? Does the shore based part of the course teach useful and relevant material and is it up to date with current practices? And what is the exam like and what is the examiner looking for?

 

[JamesS]

I took the Ocean theory course about 4 years ago - it centres mainly on astro nav calculations.

The main problem was finding a college that offered the course as numbers are generally low. Even our numbers were below those required but the instructor offered to press on regardless.

Next problem is finding time to get the sea passage qualification.

Cheers

 

[tome]

I did the Ocean shorebased at Chichester Colege back in 83 and eventually attained the full qualification last year having done the YM offshore qualification meantime. The course was very good and took in world-wide met, passage planning, provisioning etc as well as astro nav. I still remember much of it, including how to avoid the dangerous quadrant of a tropical revolving storm. I did the qualifying passage some years back but had lost my sight reductions, so I was told to do a sun-run-meridian sight and a compass check during a channel crossing. I did this and submitted my results to the examiner: all very informal round his kitchen table whilst he checked my reductions and pretty painless really provided you hold the shorebased course completion certificate.

All in all a good round-off to the Offshore qualification especially if planning more adventurous sailing. As with the YM Offshore it made bugger all difference to my insurance premium...

 

[AndrewB]

Did mine about 10 years ago when it was a bit different. The astro theory is quite tough, if you are not mathematically inclined. But to my mind the practical (sailing a 600 mile passage as skipper or watch officer) is easy compared with the practical test for the offshore examination. Finally there is a viva with the examiner which is searching.

I wouldn't rate the ocean qualification as being as valuable as the offshore, but unlike Tome, I have found possessing one has been helpful in getting insurance cover for long-distance cruising.

 

[tome]

My insurance only covers trips from Brest to Elbe which I don't do often...

 

[alant]

I teach 'Ocean' & it is described as 'Advanced navigation'.
This it aint, unless you are into the difficult sums behind the theory.
As long as you can add, subtract and more importantly read tables, you should be ok. There is a lot of work involving sight reductions etc, together with passage planning for ocean passages & if you do not put the effort in, you will not succeed - strange to some this old fashioned concept!!
This is traditional navigation and does not have "up to date with current practices" unless you consider using a lap-top or programmable calculator, which some think defeats the object.
Most people below a certain age - those never involved in tables, logrithms, ready reckoners, etc - seem to find it difficult, particularly in accurately transposing figures & subtracting degrees/minutes (these are 60's not usual 10's). Simple errors, even from people with several maths honours degrees. But rocket science it isn't - if you are prepared to put some work into it. Give it a go, sadly most people on courses these days are after professional sailing quals.