This course
Course hours: 9am–5pm each day.
UPCOMING PRACTICAL COURSE DATES
• 25–29 January 2027
• 1–5 March 2027
• 22–26 March 2027
• 26–30 April 2027
• 24–28 May 2027
Choose a date in our online booking calendar. Availability and remaining places are shown there.
COURSE OVERVIEW
The RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Offshore Preparation Course is an intensive five-day practical programme designed to prepare experienced skippers for the RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate of Competence examination. The course focuses on refining advanced boat handling, navigation, pilotage and command skills, ensuring candidates are fully prepared for the demanding practical examination.
Delivered by experienced Yachtmaster Instructors and professional mariners, the course provides realistic passage-making exercises, mock examination scenarios and personalised coaching. With a maximum instructor-to-candidate ratio of 3:1, every student benefits from individual guidance and constructive feedback throughout the week.
Course topics include:
• Advanced passage planning
• Practical skippering and command
• Leadership and crew management
• Close-quarters manoeuvring under power
• Yacht handling under sail (sail candidates)
• Marina manoeuvring
• Pilotage by day and night
• Advanced coastal and offshore navigation
• Blind navigation and restricted visibility
• Tidal planning and secondary port calculations
• International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGS)
• Man overboard recovery
• Anchoring techniques
• Heavy weather seamanship
• Emergency procedures
• Safety equipment and yacht management
• Passage making
• Examination techniques and mock scenarios
Ready to take the next step? Book your place online or contact BH Marine Academy on 01305 564204 for dates, availability and advice on the right course for you.
Required experience
Minimum 50 days aboard, 5 days as skipper, 2500 miles logged, 5 passages of over 60 miles including 2 overnight and 2 as skipper
Minimum duration
Five days (Monday to Friday)
Minimum age
17 years
Content
Duration: 4-5 days (Monday to Thursday / Friday) preparation
Previous Experience Required: Minimum 50 days aboard, 5 days as skipper, 2500 miles logged, 5 passages of over 60 miles including 2 overnight and 2 as skipper (Half the qualifying sea time must have been conducted in tidal waters). VHF radio operators certificate and a valid first aid certificate. Current theory knowledge to RYA Coastal/Yachtmaster theory.
Course Overview: Preparation and revision up for the RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate of Competence. Revision of advanced skippering techniques, close quarters handling under power and sail, navigation and pilotage by day and night, man overboard recovery and overall yacht management skills. Ratio 3:1
Certificate issuing criteria
This is a preparation course and does not itself issue a qualification. Candidates who successfully pass the independent RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Offshore examination will be awarded the RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate of Competence.
At BH Marine Academy, our instructors are experienced professional mariners, commercial yacht captains and RYA Yachtmaster Instructors with thousands of miles of offshore experience. Our training is focused on developing competent, confident skippers through realistic practical exercises, constructive coaching and thorough preparation for one of the most respected qualifications in recreational and professional boating.
Contact BH Marine Academy by telephone or WhatsApp to discuss your experience, confirm your eligibility and reserve your place on the next available preparation course.
Format
Practical training afloat with continuous coaching, realistic passage-making exercises and revision of the theoretical knowledge expected during the Yachtmaster Offshore examination.
Price:
£1500
Course dates and availability: scheduled practical dates are listed in the course details above and on the course category page. Use the online booking calendar to select a date. For alternative dates, private tuition or courses without a published schedule, please contact BH Marine or complete the enquiry form below.
Make a booking enquiry
Please read our training terms before booking. This form requests dates and availability; your booking is confirmed separately.
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