RYA Yachtmaster Ocean Shorebased Theory
The RYA Yachtmaster Ocean Shore-based week teaches you ocean passage planning and celestial navigation, including the use of a sextant. You will leave the course confident that you have the knowledge and skills required to navigate an ocean passage using traditional methods.
Description
Discover the art of navigating by the sun, moon and stars, and develop the skills to plan and navigate an ocean passage with confidence.
The RYA Yachtmaster Ocean Shorebased Theory course teaches you how to use a sextant and traditional celestial navigation techniques to determine your position at sea, independently of electronic navigation systems.
You'll also develop essential ocean passage planning skills, including an understanding of global weather systems, tropical revolving storms, ocean currents and offshore communications.
Course content
- The Earth, celestial sphere and principles of celestial navigation
- The PZX triangle and navigational calculations
- Practical sextant use and sight-taking techniques
- Time measurement and meridian altitude calculations
- Using the Nautical Almanac and sight reduction tables
- Planning and taking sun, star and planetary sights
- Sight reduction, position lines and chart plotting
- Ocean meteorology, global weather systems and tropical revolving storms
- Ocean currents, passage planning and preparation
- Satellite and HF communications, weather information and routing
Course details
The course includes approximately 40 hours of instruction over 6 days, plus examination time.
Training is primarily classroom-based, with practical sessions nearby to practise taking celestial sights and applying navigation techniques.
Location and instruction
Training takes place in our well-equipped waterside classroom at Middle Harbour Yacht Club, Sydney, with an experienced RYA Yachtmaster Ocean instructor.
By the end of the course, you'll have the knowledge and practical skills to take and reduce celestial sights, plot your position and plan an ocean passage using traditional navigation methods.
Before you start
- You have passed the RYA Yachtmaster Offshore Shore-based Theory course or have the equivalent knowledge of navigation and seamanship.
What next?
- To achieve the RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Ocean Certificate of Competence, you must hold an RYA Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate of Competence and complete a qualifying ocean passage.
- You can then submit your celestial navigation sights to the RYA and undertake the Yachtmaster Ocean oral examination.
- On passing, you'll be qualified to skipper a yacht up to 24 metres in length on ocean passages without geographical limits.
- For a complete training programme combining theory and a qualifying ocean passage, explore our Yachtmaster Ocean Theory and Passage course.
What's included
- 40 hours of instruction over 6 days with an experienced RYA Yachtmaster Ocean instructor
- All course publications, learning materials and exam preparation
- Use of sextants, plotting equipment and navigation instruments during training
Qualifications
- RYA Yachtmaster Ocean Shorebased Course certificate upon successful completion of the examination
This certificate is an important step towards achieving the RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Ocean Certificate of Competence.
Faq
- Booking information
- To secure your place, pay a 20% deposit using the booking links above. The balance is due 60 days before the course starts.
- Deposits are non-refundable but may be transferred to another Flying Fish course or event.
- Places are limited, so early booking is recommended.
- Who is this course suitable for?
- This course is ideal for experienced sailors, offshore skippers and Yachtmasters looking to develop celestial navigation skills or prepare for the RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Ocean Certificate of Competence.
- You should already have a sound understanding of navigation, chartwork and passage planning, equivalent to RYA Yachtmaster Offshore shorebased theory.
- What will I learn on the course?
- You'll learn to navigate using the sun, moon, planets and stars, including sextant use, sight reduction and position fixing.
- You'll also study ocean meteorology, currents, great circle navigation and ocean passage planning.
- Do I need my own sextant or navigation equipment?
- No. We provide sextants, plotting equipment, nautical tables and all course materials.
- Just bring a pen, pencil, eraser, paper and basic calculator.
- Is there a practical component?
- Yes. You'll practise using a sextant, including a sunrise sight-taking session at Manly Beach, giving you hands-on experience taking and recording celestial sights.
- Is there any pre-course learning?
- No formal pre-study is required. The course is fully self-contained.
- However, we recommend some optional introductory videos on celestial navigation. Links to suggested YouTube playlists will be included in your joining instructions.
- Do I need to be good at maths?
- No advanced maths is required. You'll use practical calculations involving angles, time and plotting, with step-by-step guidance and worked examples from your instructor.
- Is there an exam?
- Yes. The course concludes with the RYA Yachtmaster Ocean shorebased theory examination.
- Your instructor will prepare you with practical exercises, revision and worked examples throughout the course.
- Does this course qualify me as an RYA Yachtmaster Ocean?
- No. Successful completion of the shorebased course provides the RYA Yachtmaster Ocean Shorebased Course certificate.
- To achieve the RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Ocean Certificate of Competence, you must also meet the qualifying passage and eligibility requirements and pass the Yachtmaster Ocean oral examination.
- Flying Fish also offers a combined Yachtmaster Ocean Theory and Passage programme for sailors seeking practical ocean passage experience.