What it says about you
The RYA describes a Yachtmaster Ocean as experienced and competent to skipper a vessel of up to 200gt on passages of any length. It builds directly on Yachtmaster Offshore, adding ocean passage making, astro navigation and worldwide weather.
Before the exam
- A certificate: RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Offshore, or an MCA Officer of the Watch certificate for yachts under 3000gt.
- An ocean passage: at least 600 miles, including at least 200 miles more than 50 miles from land, lasting at least 96 hours, within the last 10 years.
- Your role: in a responsible capacity throughout, either in sole charge of a watch or as skipper.
- Astro navigation: you must have successfully navigated a yacht at sea by astro.
The exam
Oral
You send details of your qualifying passage to the examiner at least 48 hours beforehand. The oral then covers all aspects of ocean passage making in a yacht: passage planning, navigation, worldwide meteorology, crew management, and preparing and maintaining the yacht.
Written
A written assessment of the sights you took at sea, sight reduction and worldwide meteorology. If you hold the Yachtmaster Ocean shorebased course completion certificate, you're exempt from it.
Only holders of the Yachtmaster Offshore certificate receive the Yachtmaster Ocean certificate of competence when they pass. Candidates who qualify through the MCA OOW (Yachts under 3000gt) route receive a pass confirmation instead.
Where it fits
Most sailors reach Ocean after years of Offshore-level sailing and at least one long ocean passage, often an Atlantic crossing. If you're not there yet, start with the Yachtmaster Offshore requirements, or compare the whole ladder in Day Skipper vs Coastal Skipper vs Yachtmaster.
Requirements change from time to time, so check the RYA's Yachtmaster Ocean page before you apply.