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Category: Sailing

Yachtmaster (Sail & Motor)

The RYA Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate of Competence is a highly regarded worldwide qualification proving the experience and competence of a skipper. Sufficient experience and sea time form the eligibility criteria for taking the Yachtmaster exam. The Yachtmaster offshore sail exam preparation week provides five days practical boat handling and revision of the theory with all aspects of the examination organised.

This is an intensive course which will challenge you by sailing onto and off marina pontoons and mooring buoys, sail trim for simulated engine and steering failures, man overboard, blind navigation, mooring up in tight spots and anchoring under sail.

PRE-COURSE REQUIREMENTS
  • Age: 18 years
  • Completed Yachtmaster Theory Course
  • A minimum of 50 days at sea
  • A minimum of 2,500 logged miles
  • At least 5 passages over 60 miles measured along the rhumb line from the port of departure to the destination
  • At least 5 days experience as a skipper (acting as skipper for at least 2 of these passages, including 2 as overnight passages
  • Note: at least half the mileage and passages must be in tidal waters and all qualifying sea time must be within 10 years prior to the exam.
RECOMMENDED READING
  • Seaman’s Guide to the Rule of the Road by JWW Ford, Yachtmaster for Sail and Power by Alison Noice
BRING WITH YOU ON THE DAY
  • Protective clothing and equipment (sunscreen), Life jackets will be provided but feel free to bring your own
COURSE DETAILS
  • Duration: five days (there will be at least one night exercise during the course), Course start and finish time: 09.30 to variable
CERTIFICATION
  • The Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate of Competence is awarded on successful completion of practical exam
POST COURSE
RECOMMENDATIONS TO COMPLIMENT THE YACHTMASTER QUALIFICATION
COURSE SCHEDULE
  • Please contact us with the dates you would like to do this course and we will try to arrange this for you.

Yachtmaster conversion

Holders of the Yachtmaster Coastal or Yachtmaster Offshore sail Certificate of Competence may take a practical conversion exam to obtain the equivalent power certificate of competence. Candidates may also convert from power to sail. The same rules apply whether you are converting from sail to power, or from power to sail, but the practical exam for converting from power to sail may take slightly longer.

EXAM DURATION

The practical exam will take about three hours. The examiner may ask questions or set tasks on any part of the syllabus but will concentrate on those sections which are markedly different in a motor cruiser, eg boat handling, passage planning, radar.

PRE-EXAM REQUIREMENTS

The mileage shown below must be in the type of boat that you are converting to. All qualifying sea time must be within 10 years prior to the exam.

FOR YACHTMASTER COASTAL CONVERSION EXAMS
  • Minimum of 400 miles, 12 days living on board, 2 days as skipper, 12 night hours
FOR YACHTMASTER OFFSHORE CONVERSION EXAMS
  • Minimum of 1250 miles, 25 days living on board, 3 days as skipper, 3 passages over 60 miles including 1 overnight and 1 as skipper
COURSE SCHEDULE
  • Please contact us with the dates you would like to do this course and we will try to arrange this for you

Coastal Skipper (Sail)

This five-day RYA Coastal Skipper sailing course is for advanced skippering techniques for yachtsmen and women with considerable knowledge of sailing and navigation that want to undertake coastal passages by day and night. This intensive practical course covers skippering passages in more challenging conditions and provides thorough tuition for passage planning, pilotage by day and night, boat handling, safety and emergency situations.

A coastal skipper is a yachtsman or woman who has the ability to skipper a yacht in coastal waters by day or night. There is a shore-based course which provides the background knowledge required, a practical course which teaches the skills and techniques required, and a Certificate of Competence. While the qualification originated in the United Kingdom, the course is taught worldwide. Recognised sailing Schools based in Mallorca and authorised to conduct the training include Deep Blue Sea Training based in Santa Catalina, Palma and Solaris Sailing based in Port Andratx.

PRE-COURSE REQUIREMENTS
  • Minimum age 17, 15 days, 2 days as skipper, 300 miles, 8 night hours, Boat handling to the standard of Day Skipper and navigation to shore-based Coastal, Completed the Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaster Offshore shore-based course
RECOMMENDED READING
  • Seaman’s Guide to the Rules of the Road by JWW Ford, Yachtmaster for Sail and Power by Alison Noice
BRING WITH YOU ON THE DAY
  • Waterproof clothing, Sunscreen
COURSE DETAILS
  • Duration: 5 days, Start and finish time: 09.30 to variable
COURSE SYLLABUS
  • Passage planning, Preparation for sea, Pilotage, Passage making and ability as skipper, Yacht handling under power, Yacht handling under sail, Adverse weather conditions, Emergency situations, Ability after the course Able to skipper a yacht on coastal passages by day and night
CERTIFICATION
  • The Coastal Skipper Practical Certificate is awarded on successful completion of practical exam over one day and one night. By the end of the course you Coastal Skippers should be able to undertake more difficult passages by day and night, be able to handle the yacht in more demanding conditions and have the knowledge, if not the experience, to become a Yachtmaster
COURSE SCHEDULE
  • Please contact us with the dates you would like to do this course and we will try to arrange this for you

Day Skipper (Sail)

This Day Skipper sail-training course is for individuals with a little yachting experience and basic navigation and sailing skills that want to be able to take charge as skipper over short passages. During the five-day practical course you will be given full responsibility at the helm for the crew and navigation with the instructor on hand at all times to provide advice and encouragement and to ensure your safety.

This practical course can be supplemented with the Day Skipper theory course either side of the practical week with 2 days classroom-based theory in navigation beforehand and afterwards. At the end of a successful course you may also be eligible for an International Certificate of Competence (ICC).

Imagine being capable and confident enough to take your friends and family out on a yacht for a day, a weekend or even on holiday. RYA Day Skipper is a qualification which enables you to safely take charge of a 30-45ft sail cruising yacht and its crew by day in familiar waters.

There’s no getting away from it – passing involves some work, some practice and some dedication. But RYA Day Skipper is your ticket to freedom. It shows charter companies that you have enough knowledge and practical experience to take their vessels out safely.

The Day Skipper qualification confirms that the successful candidate has the knowledge needed to skipper a yacht on shorter, coastal cruises during daylight. The Royal Yacht Association administers the qualification. It is a part of a series of qualifications that include Competent Crew, Coastal Skipper and Yachtmaster. While the qualification is primarily for the United Kingdom it is widely recognised internationally.

Once on board, you’ll cover all aspects of yacht sailing; how to trim sails, plan a passage, to moor and anchor safely. If you have previously taken an RYA Competent Crew course, these tasks will feel familiar. The main difference with RYA Day Skipper is that you’ll be making the key decisions on everything – from what to do in an emergency, where and how to berth the yacht, to when dinner should be served.

You’ll learn how to delegate jobs effectively and encourage and motivate crew members when needed. You will also be in charge of all aspects of safety management on board, from equipment and the yacht to the well-being of everyone on board.

PRE-COURSE REQUIREMENTS

  • Minimum age 16, 5 days, 100 miles, 4 night hours on board a sailing yacht, Assumed knowledge in basic navigation and helmsmanship, It is recommended you attend the Day Skipper shore-based course beforehand

RECOMMENDED READING

  • RYA Day Skipper Handbook

BRING WITH YOU ON THE DAY

  • Waterproof clothing, Sunscreen

COURSE DETAILS

  • Duration: 5 days (standard) or 9 days (extra)

COURSE SYLLABUS

  • Preparation for sea, Deck work, Navigation, Pilotage, Meteorology, Rules of the road, Maintenance and repair work, Engines, Victualing, Emergency situations, Yacht handling under power, Yacht handling under sail, Passage making, Night cruising

CERTIFICATION

  • The Day Skipper Sail Practical (Non-Tidal) Certificate is awarded on successful completion

POST COURSE

  • At the end of this course you can also include the one-day VHF/DSC Marine Radio course. Note that sail training courses taken in the Mediterranean are classified as non-tidal. Start and finish time: 09.30 to variable

COURSE SCHEDULE

  • Please contact us with the dates you would like to do this course and we will try to arrange this for you.

 

Competent Crew (Sail)

The five-day RYA Competent Crew sailing course aboard our ultra-modern and well-equipped sailing yachts are for beginners and those who would like to become an active crew member rather than just a passenger.

Competent Crew is the entry-level course of the Royal Yachting Association. It is a hands-on course and by the end of the course participants should be able to steer, handle sails, keep a lookout, row a dinghy and assist in all the day-to-day duties on board. The Competent Crew course is one of a structured series of courses run by the RYA including Coastal Skipper and Yachtmaster. During your five days there will also be time to relax in the sunshine, appreciate the stunning scenery and enjoy time anchored in charming bays.

PRE-COURSE REQUIREMENTS

  • No age restriction, No pre-course experience or assumed knowledge required

BRING WITH YOU ON THE DAY

  • Waterproof clothing, Sunscreen

COURSE DETAILS

  • Duration: 5 days, Start and finish time: 09.30 to variable

COURSE CONTENT

  • Knowledge of sea terms and parts of a boat, Rigging and sails, Sail handling, Ropework, Fire precautions and fighting, Personal safety equipment, Man overboard, Emergency equipment, Meteorology, Seasickness, Helmsmanship, General duties, Manners and customs, Rules of the road, Dinghies

COURSE SCHEDULE

  • Please contact us with the dates you would like to do this course and we will try to arrange this for you

Start Yachting (Sail)

At Milebuilders we want you to learn to love sailing as much as we do, so we have a number of ways you can get on board and start yachting. In addition to our sailing experience days, we run a number of RYA courses via our two associated RYA Training Centres, Deep Blue Sea Training based in Santa Catalina, Palma and Solaris Sailing based in Port Andratx.

The Start Yachting (Sail) course is designed to help complete beginners but is also good as a refresher course for qualified skippers. We want you to have fun and learn well, so our courses are structured to ensure you get the most from your time aboard.

Our 2021/2022 training fleet comprises of our magnificent new yacht, a Bavaria Cruiser 46 named “Claudi of London’, and an ultra-modern and well-equipped Beneteau Oceanis 43 named Ellie Lauren which is an excellent, spacious and comfortable sailing yacht.

On the Start Yachting course, you will have lots of fun learning the basics of boat handling, experience steering a yacht, sail handling, rope-work and be taught safety on board. During your two days on one of our excellent sailing yachts there will also be plenty of time to relax in the sunshine & appreciate the stunning scenery. To complete your first sailing experience you also have the option of one night sleeping onboard. The Start Yachting Certificate is awarded on completion of the course. This can be used to go on to complete the Competence Crew course in a reduced time of three days or two weekends.

PRE-COURSE REQUIREMENTS
  • No age restriction, No pre-course experience or assumed knowledge required
BRING WITH YOU ON THE DAY
  • Waterproof clothing. Sunscreen. Two photos with name and signature on reverse. Note: Life jackets will be provided but feel free to bring your own
COURSE DETAILS
  • Duration: 2 days. Start and finish time: 09.30 to variable
COURSE SYLLABUS
  • The yacht, Ropework, Underway, Rules of the road, Man overboard recovery, Clothing and equipment, Emergency equipment and precautions, Meteorology
COURSE SCHEDULE
  • Please contact us with the dates you would like to do this course and we will try to arrange this for you