Yachtmaster Offshore Review?

[Dockhead]

My ICC has expired, and rather than go through renewing it, I think about doing a more meaningful qualification -- Yachtmaster Offshore. If any qualifications can be said to be really meaningful.

I sail long distances and typically many different countries every year -- 10 last year. I've never been asked for a qualification since Croatia a decade ago, but with more and new countries, you never know. Plus it can be reassuring to my insurance company, passengers, etc.

So what's the most efficient way to do it? Obviously I don't want to divert too much time away from boat repairs, for this.

None of the items in the syllabus (http://www.hamble.co.uk/rya-training-courses/yachtmaster-offshore-exam-syllabus/) is anything I have not studied fairly deeply over my 30-odd years at sea. I would get a text from one of the training courses and go through it thoroughly to be sure there isn't some item of "book learning" I've managed to miss.

Maybe it makes sense to hire an RYA examiner for an afternoon for a review, prior to taking the exam itself?

Tips and advice appreciated as always!

 

[Tranona]

You will get an ICC if you get a qualifying RYA certificate. If you already have an ICC can't see any reason not to renew it. It is completely different from getting an RYA qualification. The latter is intended to develop your sailing skills and then testing them in accordance with the syllabus for the level. An ICC is simply what it says - a certificate of competence at a very basic level, sufficient to satisfy officials in other countries and charter companies that you are fit to handle a boat.

 

[alant]

You will get an ICC if you get a qualifying RYA certificate. If you already have an ICC can't see any reason not to renew it. It is completely different from getting an RYA qualification. The latter is intended to develop your sailing skills and then testing them in accordance with the syllabus for the level. An ICC is simply what it says - a certificate of competence at a very basic level, sufficient to satisfy officials in other countries and charter companies that you are fit to handle a boat.

ICC, is a bit like Day Skipper boat handling scenario.
If you check the ICC form, it will show what is involved.

 

[prv]

You will get an ICC if you get a qualifying RYA certificate. If you already have an ICC can't see any reason not to renew it. It is completely different from getting an RYA qualification. The latter is intended to develop your sailing skills and then testing them in accordance with the syllabus for the level. An ICC is simply what it says - a certificate of competence at a very basic level, sufficient to satisfy officials in other countries and charter companies that you are fit to handle a boat.

Sure, he only *needs* an ICC, but it sounds like he *wants* a Yachtmaster for personal satisfaction etc. Nothing wrong with that, in fact my dad is currently doing much the same.

I've only ever done Day Skipper, to ease the process of chartering when I was much younger (a gang of 17 - 19 year olds with no paper qualifications is understandably worrying to charter operators ) so I have no first-hand experience of Yachtmaster exams. But everything I've read suggests that the assessment is very free-form and open-ended, assessing your competence as a yachtsman in the round rather than pedantically ticking off specific points. So if I had your level of experience, I think I would just book the exam and go for it.

Pete

 

[GHA]

I was thinking exactly the same thing hopefully in the next few weeks, though maybe hire an instructor for day rather than an examiner to iron out any bad habits and brush up on any weak bits. If these gales every stop I might even get round to the Solent.

Also, the ICC is free to renew if you are a member of the RYA.
http://www.rya.org.uk/infoadvice/boatingabroad/icc/Pages/apply.aspx

 

[Skylark]

Sadly, many seem to hold denigratory views of the RYA/MCA YM Offshore certificate of competence. Really don't know why. I've done Coastal, Offshore and Ocean and each gave me a great sense of personal achievement.

Take a look at the RYA website for details:-

http://www.rya.org.uk/coursestraining/exams/Pages/Yachtmasteroffshore.aspx

For 1 candidate the typical on-board examination time is 8-12 hours. During that time, the examiner can take you through any part of the syllabus of his choosing.

I also believe that some form of pre-exam review with an experienced YMI/YME would be beneficial.

Good luck!

 

[Sandyman]

If you've been at sea for 30 odd years what's the point in doing a Yachtmaster Offshore course? With that amount of sea-time under your belt you should know more than the instructors. Just re-new your ICC & forget about it.

 

[Grumpybear]

On the basis that you are old enough to know what you want, go for it.

I actually qualified as a RN/RNSA Offshore Skipper in 1972, and two years later traded this ticket in on an equivalent RYA qualification. I then gave up sailing for career and family reasons almost entirely until 1990, when we bought our first boat (19'). As we traded up to bigger boats, I have to admit that my confidence was low, so my wife persuaded me to go for Yachtmaster Offshore. I bought a distance learning pack (from Longbow - no connection, just a satisfied customer), did the enclosed test to get an idea of my grasp of the theory, worked through the course and retested myself.

Then I booked a five day training and examination package with another YM candidate and two Competent Crew students. We spent four days basically working through the likely exam tasks and questions, then on the final day an examiner joined and worked us over. It was well worth the effort and not inconsiderable cost. I learned a little and relearned a lot, greatly bolstered my confidence in my own ability and, I think, made it easier for my sons and daughters- in-law to trust us with their children who love everything about boats and sailing.

The ticket is indeed, for an experienced sailor, a nice to have, but well worth it for all that.

 

[Tranona]

Sure, he only *needs* an ICC, but it sounds like he *wants* a Yachtmaster for personal satisfaction etc. Nothing wrong with that, in fact my dad is currently doing much the same.


Pete

Was not implying there was anything wrong in doing the Yachtmaster - or any other certificated qualification. Just surprised that he was not thinking of renewing his ICC when the two things have very different purposes.

 

[prv]

Was not implying there was anything wrong in doing the Yachtmaster - or any other certificated qualification. Just surprised that he was not thinking of renewing his ICC when the two things have very different purposes.

Well, I assume that when he gets the Yachtmaster ticket he'll tick the box to also get an automatic ICC at the same time.

Pete

 

[Robin]

If you've been at sea for 30 odd years what's the point in doing a Yachtmaster Offshore course? With that amount of sea-time under your belt you should know more than the instructors. Just re-new your ICC & forget about it.

No 'should' about it, he WILL This goes back to the 'who teaches/taught the teacher' question and Dockhead could undoubtedly do that teaching IMO:encouragement: .

 

[awol]

I and at least one of my acquaintances have sat the YM exam successfully on our own boats without paying someone to coach us - we tend to guard our bawbees carefully. A wee brush up of secondary ports, running fixes, an up-to-date Reeds and relevant charts should be all you need - oh, and a couple of crew who have a vague idea of what they are doing. Do make sure your boat is big enough.

 

[AndrewB]

If you've been at sea for 30 odd years what's the point in doing a Yachtmaster Offshore course? With that amount of sea-time under your belt you should know more than the instructors. Just re-new your ICC & forget about it.

I did after I'd been sailing for 25 years and was surprised how many new tricks and wrinkles I picked up. Finally able to guarantee getting back to the MOB first time, under any combination of engine and/or sails (well, perhaps not spinnaker alone). One plus was the opportunity to try out manoevres that I wouldn't have dared in my own boat, like running aground and getting off under sail. Well worth it.

 

[Aurai]

You are free to book an examiner as mentioned in an earlier post.

The RYA schools would encourage you to do a five day preparation for the examination programme. The one thing I would guide you on is the Avoidance of Collision Regulations as you are expected to be very sharp and on the ball on them. The same with obscure chart symbols, or ones you may not usually make use of.

Take six weeks to learn them on your own, ahead of a booked exam, with as much or as little sailing prep as you think you need. My examiner, clearly used Col Regs to test wider knowledge in the absence of situations on our day out in home waters. With very detailed questions coming up.

Best

 

[GHA]

Y The one thing I would guide you on is the Avoidance of Collision Regulations as you are expected to be very sharp and on the ball on them.

Think the OP will be OK on that one, he knows them inside out

 

[Dockhead]

I was thinking exactly the same thing hopefully in the next few weeks, though maybe hire an instructor for day rather than an examiner to iron out any bad habits and brush up on any weak bits. If these gales every stop I might even get round to the Solent.

Also, the ICC is free to renew if you are a member of the RYA.
http://www.rya.org.uk/infoadvice/boatingabroad/icc/Pages/apply.aspx

I can't renew my ICC, because I am no longer resident in the country in which it was issued. I would have to do it over again, and it's a fundamentally silly exercise, it seems to me, for someone with 30,000 miles (or more) of offshore experience.

 

[Dockhead]

I did after I'd been sailing for 25 years and was surprised how many new tricks and wrinkles I picked up. Finally able to guarantee getting back to the MOB first time, under any combination of engine and/or sails (well, perhaps not spinnaker alone). One plus was the opportunity to try out manoevres that I wouldn't have dared in my own boat, like running aground and getting off under sail. Well worth it.

I believe this completely -- there's always something else to learn, which is one of the things I love about this sport. I'm sure I would get a lot out of sitting the whole course.

The only problem is that I just can't take a week off to do the whole course. I would rather read the course materials. I leave on a 1500 mile trip on 1 May, and between now and then I have a lot of work to do on the boat and a lot of things to accomplish in my work, too (I'm not retired).

 

[Daydream believer]

If you've been at sea for 30 odd years what's the point in doing a Yachtmaster Offshore course? With that amount of sea-time under your belt you should know more than the instructors. Just re-new your ICC & forget about it.

I used to think that until I went sailing for a fortnight with a chap who had the yachtmaster offshore. I have sailed much longer & farther than him, most of it SH inc 2 round Uk trips SH .
He came with me just to get the experience of sailing to Holland.
I started sailing my own cruiser ( A Stella) at 21; Yet after 48 years of experience I could not help thinking that this chap with only a limited sailing CV but with yachtmaster training was a better sailor than me
It has made me think very carefully about doing the course myself. An RYA instructor I have known for years said I could pass it with ease. I am not so sure.

 

[Robin]

I can't renew my ICC, because I am no longer resident in the country in which it was issued. I would have to do it over again, and it's a fundamentally silly exercise, it seems to me, for someone with 30,000 miles (or more) of offshore experience.

Hi DH,Have you asked the RYA? I emailed them and asked if my ICC could be renewed when it becomes due since I'm no longer a UK resident but a full time American resident. They not only said that I could renew it, no problem, but said I would receive the reminder when the time comes, sent to my now USA address. I'm still a British citizen of course which might make a difference?

Not that I have ever needed to show the ICC to anyone,although I enclosed a copy with my insurance proposal form asking if it qualified me for a lower price ( it did not!). They took some notice ( as in knowing what it was) of my Mickey Mouse Florida Boater's Safety certificate pass which I took out of curiosity on line but even then no discount given and I was age exempt from even needing to take it at all.

 

[Dockhead]

No 'should' about it, he WILL This goes back to the 'who teaches/taught the teacher' question and Dockhead could undoubtedly do that teaching IMO:encouragement: .

That's kind of you to say, but no doubt there are plenty of gaps in my knowledge. Attempting to fill them, and then testing the seamlessness of it, is one of the reasons why I'm interested in doing the exam. Also prepping the boat for the test.