RYA Yachtmaster Offshore Prep and Exam

At Prometheus Sailing, we offer RYA courses designed to help develop essential skippering techniques and build real confidence at sea. Completing the RYA Yachtmaster Offshore prep course opens the door to opportunities as a professional skipper and career progressions as a sailing professional.

Complete the RYA Yachtmaster Offshore qualification to take the next step in your sailing career.

Why Take the RYA Yachtmaster Offshore Prep and Exam Course With Us?

This intensive seven-day course prepares you thoroughly for the Yachtmaster Offshore practical qualification. During the course, you’ll develop and refine your skippering ability to handle challenging passages by day and night, including:

• Passage planning

• Boat handling

  • Under sail and power

  • In adverse weather conditions

• Navigation theory

• Passage preparation

• Pilotage techniques  

• Emergency procedures

Course Details: RYA Yachtmaster Offshore Prep and Exam

This course prepares you for the RYA Yachtmaster Offshore certificate of competence, a globally recognised qualification that enables you to work commercially, with the appropriate endorsements. 

The programme is designed to boost your confidence in handling challenging offshore passages and to ensure you meet the exacting standards required by the RYA examiner. 

RYA Yachtmaster Offshore Preparation 

The first five days of this seven-day course involve yachtmaster exam preparation. Working with an instructor, you’ll focus on:

1. Strengthening the knowledge, understanding and techniques required to pass the assessment

2. Refining any of your skills that do not yet meet the required exam standard.

3. Ensuring your sailing practice is safe, efficient and well-structured.

RYA Yachtmaster Offshore Practical Examination

On days six and seven, you’ll complete your RYA Yachtmaster Offshore Exam. The RYA examiner will assess your skippering skills, your competence in handling challenging passages and your use of charts for navigation. 

The practical exam syllabus includes:

• Skippering techniques and leadership

• Decision-making and command skills

• Passage planning

• Yacht handling

• Safety awareness and knowledge

• General seamanship

• Navigation competence

• Overboard recovery

• Thorough knowledge of:

  • International collision regulations

  • Meteorology

  • Distress signals

Yachtmaster Offshore Exam Pre-Requisites

To sit the Yachtmaster Offshore exam, you must have:

• 50 days at sea and 2,500 nautical miles 

• At least 5 passages over 60 miles (measured along the rhumb line from the port of departure to the destination), including:

  • 2 passages as a skipper 

  • 2 overnight passages 

• 5 days of experience as a skipper

• At least half of your qualifying mileage in tidal waters

• All qualifying sea time completed within 10 years before the exam

• A valid GMDSS Short Range Certificate (SRC) or higher marine radio certificate

• A valid first aid certificate

What’s Included

The course includes: 

• 7 nights onboard the yacht 

• Instructor 

• Breakfast  

• Lunch 

• 2 evening meals

• Soft drinks and snacks 

• Wet weather gear 

• Safety equipment

• Fuel, gas and engine hours

Cost

• Off-peak (1st November – 31st March): £810pp

• Peak Season (1st April – 31st October): £850pp

Additional Important Information

The Yachtmaster Offshore exam costs £266* and must be paid before the exam through the RYA online payment system.

On the day of your exam, please bring:

• Exam fee

• Photo ID

• Two passport-sized photographs

* Exam fee correct at time of publishing and subject to change without prior notice. Check the RYA website for any potential changes.

The exam typically lasts between 8 and 12 hours for one candidate. For two candidates, it usually takes 10 to 18 hours.

Commercial Endorsement Requirements

To become commercially endorsed, you must hold:

• RYA Sea Survival certificate

• ML5 medical certificate

• First aid certificate

• Radio Operator’s Licence

• Sea survival and medical certificate

Next available course date

18-25th October 2026 

Facts and figures

Gain hands-on offshore experience, master yacht handling and log qualifying miles under expert guidance. Book your RYA Yachtmaster Offshore Prep and Exam course now.