Yactmaster coastal / offshore in own boat

[dharl]

Hello all,

Myself and a friend are thinking of taking our YMC/O on our own vessel, a Nelson 44, (well owned by a Charity that we both work with), and I have a few questions to ask the experienced out there!

1. What would be the ideal number of crew for a YM exam (with two candidates).

2. Our vessel, a Nelson 44, is kept in Central London which is a number of hours steaming (at 8kts) from the Estuary, let alone the open sea. Would the examiners see this as a suitable place to board the vessel for an exam? Also would that possible limit us to only being able to gain a YMC rather than a YMOf?

A little bit of back ground, we both have extensive experience in small motor and sailing craft, one of us has passed the YM theory whilst the other is a former deep sea Merchant Navy Officer. Unfortunately as not been driving a ‘loadline’ vessel for the last few years (all sub 24m and purely for fun rather than reward) all sea time is not counted by the MCA and so will I be unable to renew my STCW ticket , however the time has counted as qualifying time for the RYA.

Any advise, critics’ etc etc greatly received!

 

[Whitelighter]

It is perfectly possible to do a YM in your own boat.

I would suggest moving the boat to a coastal location before the exam/prep.

As for crew, you can each act as the others crew during the assessment as only one is assessed at a time. A third crew might be desirable though.

 

[oceanfroggie]

It is perfectly possible to do a YM in your own boat.

I would suggest moving the boat to a coastal location before the exam/prep.

As for crew, you can each act as the others crew during the assessment as only one is assessed at a time. A third crew might be desirable though.

+1

Don't forget you will also need an element of night passage during the exam (ie darkness). Brush up on stuff you haven't studied since shore based theory (eg sound signals, fog, lights) as well as paper nav, HBC etc.

 

[dharl]

Thanks guys!

I thouight part of the YM exaim was in Crew Management..would have thought that was a bit tricky if only two of us?

 

[powerskipper]

ym

Hello all,

Myself and a friend are thinking of taking our YMC/O on our own vessel, a Nelson 44, (well owned by a Charity that we both work with), and I have a few questions to ask the experienced out there!

1. What would be the ideal number of crew for a YM exam (with two candidates).

2. Our vessel, a Nelson 44, is kept in Central London which is a number of hours steaming (at 8kts) from the Estuary, let alone the open sea. Would the examiners see this as a suitable place to board the vessel for an exam? Also would that possible limit us to only being able to gain a YMC rather than a YMOf?

A little bit of back ground, we both have extensive experience in small motor and sailing craft, one of us has passed the YM theory whilst the other is a former deep sea Merchant Navy Officer. Unfortunately as not been driving a ‘loadline’ vessel for the last few years (all sub 24m and purely for fun rather than reward) all sea time is not counted by the MCA and so will I be unable to renew my STCW ticket , however the time has counted as qualifying time for the RYA.

Any advise, critics’ etc etc greatly received!

You can take another crew member with you if you want, or just have the 2 of you on the boat, the examinerwould not mind.
It mite be worth doing a day or 2 with an instructor just to bush up on some stuff, but if not, you can organise an examiner though the RYA, they will send you a list of examiners, and then have a chat with them to see where they would like you and boat to be. They would also answer your questions on the STCW .

 

[miket]

Sensible advice.

........ from Powerskipper.

2 of us also did YMO on my own boat, based in Southampton. We took a 3rd experienced friend to act as helmsman.

We also invited a Yachtmaster Examiner friend to spend 2 days grilling us before the exam on the 3rd day. Actually, I think the 2 days before were harder than the day of the exam! As both examiners were South coast based, I would be surprised if they don't talk. We were certainly tested harder in some areas where we might be wanting, than others.

Thoroughly enjoyable 3 days with some serious celebrations at the end. The Malt stock took a bit of a hit!!

 

[dharl]

MAny thanks all,

some great advise as always! While I have had plenty of hand on experiance of skippering various vessels over the last few years...its been a while since I have had to take an exaim and I think the idea of taking an instructor for a couple of days prior to help brush up and focus us in the right areas is a great idea!

Will let you know how I get along!

thanks Again