With a 100% class pass rate and a great debut performance from our recently recruited Chief Shorebased Instructor, Gwilym Evans, we thought we would take a moment in the wake of our first Yachmaster theory course of the season to put together a few pointers for any of you out there thinking about beginning the Yachtmaster process.
As I am sure you are aware the RYA Coastal Skipper or RYA Yachtmaster theory course is an advanced course for those wishing to move on and either skipper a yacht on longer coastal passages or looking to take the Yachtmaster Offshore exam. It is a 5 day course and covers navigation, meteorology and collision regulations.
It is highly recommend that anyone looking to take the Yachtmaster Offshore practical exam that they complete the theory side of things first. So, what are the key points you need to consider before booking yourself on?
First of all, ARE YOU READY? It is not uncommon to feel pressured into taking courses that you are perhaps not quite ready for, and for a number of reasons, such as making progress in your career, to land yourself that dream job or even just pressure from your peers, what ever it may be it is important to remember that ‘experience’ is invaluable in helping you get the most out of any courses that you decide to do. The RYA has set out guidelines to help students identify whether they are at the right level for the course they are planning on taking, it is expected that for the Yachtmaster theory course the participant will have knowledge of navigation to a dayskipper level and will have already gained a good amount of practical sailing or motor boating experience.
Secondly, PREPARE! Although this theory course is very imformative it is highly recommended that you do your homework! You will find full details of the Yachtmaster syllabus on the RYA website, www.rya.org.uk or feel free to contact us for further information. The key is to ensure that none of the elements laid out in the course syllabus are foreign to you and that you have a good understanding of all the areas you are about to embark upon.
Next, CHOOSING AN RYA TRAINING CENTER. There are several points to consider when booking onto a theory course. Firstly, there is the price, make sure you do your research, prices do vary from school to school and obviously location is a key factor in course rates. In addition find out what is included in your course price as you may find yourself paying extra for course packs, plotters, dividers etc. on top of the course fee you have already paid.
Be sure to check out your schools classroom and its facilities, and enquire about the equipment available to your instructor for the course, the last thing you need is make shift materials when you are trying to master the art of traditional navigation techniques!
It is also important to remember that schools are pretty much only as good as their instructors, find out what qualifications your instructor has and make sure you are getting a fully qualified yachtmaster instructor for your course.
Finally, ONLY DO COURSES YOU HAVE TO and always seek advice regarding the courses you wish to do to ensure that you reach the goals you aspire to achieve.
If you are looking for further information regarding taking your Yachtmaster theory course or wish to enquire about any of the other courses we offer here at Riviera Sea School do not hesitate to contact us on 0033 (0) 617 266 036, or drop us an e-mail at info@rivieraseaschool.com.
Good luck!
RSS Yachtmaster Theory Course in Action - 17-21 Feb 2009
RSS will be running their next Yachtmaster Theory courses on the following dates:
23-28 March 09, 20-25 April 09.
Hey
I am currently on my way back to the med, I work on a boat based in France. I have finished my YM theory and practical moderation, but I have not sat the exam, are you offering the course anytime soon and would it be possible to sit the exam only and not the entire course again!!!