NavList:

Hi Romeo

Last month I qualified as RYA Yachtmaster Ocean, having passed the oral exam.
I did not do the shore based course or the written examination, as I my professional qualifications entitle me to an exemption from these.

As you probably know, the pre-requisite is Yachtmaster Offshore. The Ocean certificate requires, in addition, some competence in Astro-Nav and wordwide met, with voyage planning, crew management and so on. It is all in the RYA syllabus online.

Having provided, in advance, log abstracts and records of sights taken on a yacht during a qualifying ocean passage, the oral exam mostly took the form of a discussion of methods used and results obtained. The RYA require at least basic sun-run-sun LOPs, meridian altitudes and azimuth calculations for compass error. It is all rather basic and straightforward. Any sight reduction methods that work are acceptable. The RYA teach the use of HO 249/AP3270 and require "awareness" of calculator methods. I used a calculator and home brew plotting sheets.

Good luck if you are thinking of doing it. The certificate can be commercially endorsed with a medical exam and completion of a sea survival course, which qualifies the holder as Master up to 200 GRT, so far as I can recall.

Good luck if you are thinking of doing it. Let me know if there is anything else I can tell you.

Regards

John
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