RYA Sail Training Ladder
National Yachting School » RYA Sail Crusing Courses » RYA Sail Training Ladder
The RYA have developed a scheme to encourage yachtsmen & women to achieve high levels of seamanship and navigation by voluntary education. The education system and certificates of British RYA (Royal Yachting Association) are recognized worldwide for their quality and high standards.
At NYS Sailing School we are proud to be a RYA Certified Training Centre, offerring RYA Courses and helping to develop your confidence and competence whilst enhancing your enjoyment of sailing.
Choose from the courses listed below according to your knowledge and experience. There is no requirement to start at beginner level, you can join the scheme at any stage according to your knowledge and experience. If you are unsure of your entry level, do not hesitate to contact us, we are always happy to advise.
RYA ail Cruising courses
| Course | Previous experience | Qualification after completing the course |
|---|---|---|
| Start Yachting (practical) | No | Basic knowledge of yachting and sailing |
| RYA Competent Crew (practical) | No | Useful crew member – able to steer, handle sails, assist in all the routines on a sailing yacht |
| RYA Day Skipper theory | Some practical experience desirable | Theoretical knowledge of basic seamanship, navigation and meteorology, including navigation in tidal waters |
| RYA Day Skipper (practical) | Basic knowledge of navigation to the level of the Day Skipper Theory Course and basic sailing ability. 5 Days sailing, 100 miles, 4 night hours. Recommended: VHF Licence, First Aid Certificate | Able to skipper a small yacht in familiar waters by day. |
| RYA Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaster theory | Practical sailing experience necessary. Navigation to Day Skipper Theory standard. | Advanced theoretical knowledge of offshore and coastal navigation, pilotage and meteorology, including navigation in tidal waters |
| RYA Coastal Skipper (practical) | 15 Days (2 days as skipper), 300 miles, 8 night hours at sea. Navigation to Coastal/Yachtmaster theory standard, sailing to Day Skipper standard. Recommended: VHF Licence, First Aid Certificate | Can begin to skipper a yacht on coastal passages by day and night. |
| RYA Yachtmaster Coastal (practical) Preparation + RYA / MCA exam | 30 Days (2 days as skipper), 800 miles, 12 night hours at sea. Half the qualifying sea time must be conducted in tidal waters. Navigation to Coastal/Yachtmaster theory standard. VHF/SRC Licence, First Aid Certificate | Has the knowledge and ability to skipper a yacht on coastal cruises but not necessarily the experience needed to undertake longer passages. Has the same theoretical knowledge as a Yachtmaster Offshore but not as much practical experience to enable him or her to perform as smoothly or consistently |
| RYA Yachtmaster Offshore (practical) Preparation + RYA / MCA exam | 50 Days (5 days as skipper), 2500 miles, 5 passages over 60 miles (including 2 overnight and 2 as skipper). At least half this mileage and passages must be in tidal waters. All qualifying seatime must be within 10 years prior to the exam. Navigation to Coastal/Yachtmaster theory standard. VHF/SRC Licence, First Aid Certificate | The Yachtmaster Offshore is competent to skipper a cruising yacht on any passage during which the yacht is no more than 150 miles from a harbour. |
| RYA Yachtmaster Ocean theory | Coastal and offshore sailing experience. Navigation to Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaster theory standard | Has the theoretical knowledge of astro navigation, ocean meteorology and passage planning to undertake an ocean passage. |
| RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Ocean exam | RYA Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate, theoretical knowledge of astronavigation, ocean cruises and issues, practical experience with extended voyages incl. the use of astronavigation. | Very experienced skipper able to be in charge of yacht anywhere in the world. |
| Commercial Endorsment | RYA skipper certificate (preferably Yachtmaster Offshore), Safety at Sea course, Professional Practises and Responsibilities online theory course, medical fitness certificate. |
News
Attention
Due to the coronavirus crisis, we are canceling all practical courses in Croatia until further notice. For new course dates, please keep an eye on our website.
Winter courses on Canaries
In NYS we believe that there’s no such a thing as winter in sailing and you can always find a good place to enjoy your hobby any time throught the year. So we offer popular winter courses again, this time on Canary Islands, starting from Tenerife because of the best flight connections.
RYA Sailing Accreditation Rated as the World’s Best
The Royal Yachting Association (RYA) sailing qualifications have been voted the premiere sailing accreditation for excellence and global reputation following a recent survey targeting 200 professional yacht and motorboat charter companies. The professional charter companies that were surveyed own and manage in excess of 6,000 charter boats across the Mediterranean, Caribbean and Asia.
