The RYA (Royal Yachting Association) standard is the world's best known programme of boating training courses.

RYA Yachtmaster® is a yachtsman or woman competent to skipper a cruising yacht on any passage that can be completed without the use of astro navigation.’ In practice, this means coastal and offshore passages. As any skipper will tell you, those passages close to land or across shipping lanes are the most difficult, particularly if the weather is rough or the visibility poor. A Yachtmaster® needs a wealth of knowledge, not only to cope with plain sailing or motor cruising but also to be able to cope when things go wrong.

Over 1 million people have completed an RYA course in the last 10 years, and over 21,000 skippers have passed an RYA Yachtmaster® Offshore exam – the pinnacle of the RYA’s qualification system.

Yachtmaster® Examiners are independent assessors and cannot be involved in the training of candidates. They are therefore able to be objective when assessing ability. The RYA administers Yachtmaster® Certificates of Competence and examines candidates on behalf of the Maritime & Coastguard Agency. The exam is a one-day test of the candidate’s ability to skipper a yacht.

The certificates are required by commercial yacht skippers on sailing and motor vessels under 24 metres and as entry to Megayacht qualifications.

The RYA’s Certificates of Competence are emulated throughout the world.

If you consider about a career on the sea, let me know on challenge@balasailing.com. I can give you direction and the right contacts to manage all the skills and experiences as soon as possible.

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