Prove your competence to skipper a yacht on ocean passages anywhere in the world.
The RYA Yachtmaster Ocean Exam is the highest level of RYA skippering assessment, designed for experienced offshore sailors who have mastered long passages, global weather, celestial navigation and vessel command. Passing this exam demonstrates you can lead and manage ocean passages with confidence, professionalism and exceptional seamanship.
Taking your RYA Yachtmaster Ocean exam in Antigua offers access to extended offshore opportunities, warm waters, and real-world navigation challenges — ideal for demonstrating your offshore capability in a supportive environment.
What You Will Be Examined On
The Yachtmaster Ocean Exam is a comprehensive assessment combining oral, written and practical evidence, focused on real ocean passage competence rather than just theory or short coastal manoeuvres.
You will be examined on:
- Ocean passage planning and execution, including preparation, risk assessment and watch systems
- Navigation without reliance on electronics, including traditional astro navigation records and plots
- Worldwide meteorology, interpreting and responding to global weather patterns
- Passage narrative and log records, showing how you planned and executed an extended qualifying voyage
- Crew management and leadership over sustained offshore periods
- Yacht preparation, maintenance and equipment management for extended ocean work
- Written and oral understanding of sights, sight reduction, compass checks and global navigation principles
- Questions on your qualifying passage, its planning, execution, navigation and decision-making
The focus is on practical excellence, judgement and real experience, not on completing a checklist.
Who Is This Exam For
The RYA Yachtmaster Ocean Exam is for experienced sailors who:
- Have already achieved RYA Yachtmaster Offshore (or equivalent)
- Have completed a qualifying ocean passage meeting RYA requirements (see below)
- Want formal recognition of their ocean-level skippering competence
- Are planning extended blue-water cruising or professional skippering
- Seek a worldwide-recognised qualification with no distance-from-harbour limits
- May intend to pursue higher professional qualifications such as Master 200 or MCA roles
RYA Yachtmaster Ocean certification represents a high level of mastery, respected by insurers, employers and maritime authorities globally.
Eligibility & Pre-Requisites
To sit the RYA Yachtmaster Ocean exam you must:
- Hold an RYA Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate of Competence (sail or power)
- Have completed a qualifying ocean passage (skipper or watch leader), meeting these criteria:
- Minimum 600 nautical miles logged in the passage
- Passage must be continuous for at least 96 hours (4 days)
- At least 200 nautical miles of that distance must be more than 50 nautical miles offshore
- You must have been actively involved in passage planning, navigation, provisioning and watch management, usually as the skipper or a watch leader
- Have a sound understanding of the RYA Yachtmaster Ocean syllabus, as recorded in your RYA Logbook (G158)
- Complete or be prepared to sit the RYA Yachtmaster Ocean written paper unless exempt by holding the RYA Ocean Theory certificate or equivalent professional credentials
All qualifying seatime and navigation records must be documented and available for the examiner.
Exam Format & Preparation
- Format: Oral and written assessment with detailed discussion of your qualifying passage, global meteorology, celestial navigation and yacht management.
- Written Component: Sights, sight reduction and global meteorology (exemptions apply for candidates holding the RYA Ocean Theory certificate with an invigilated final exam).
- Oral Component: In-depth discussion with the examiner about your qualifying passage experience and ocean knowledge.
- Duration: Typically around 2 hours or more, depending on your preparation and examiner discretion.
Most candidates prepare by completing the RYA Ocean Theory course and documenting their qualifying passage thoroughly, including narrative, log entries, navigational plots and celestial observations.
Price and Availability
Taking only the RYA Yachtmaster Ocean Exam with us costs USD $525 per person, which includes:
- Venue and review of qualifying submission
- Scheduling support
Please note this does not include the examiner’s travel as this varies significantly, but which must also be covered.
Exam fees: Payable separately to the RYA (current RYA Ocean exam fee applies).
If you choose to combine your exam with dedicated RYA Yachtmaster Ocean Theory preparation or a milebuilder qualifying passage, contact us for tailored pricing and scheduling.
Ocean exams are scheduled with RYA examiners and typically require advanced notice due to limited availability, especially in popular cruising seasons. Early booking is strongly recommended.
Why Take Your Yachtmaster Ocean Exam with Second Star Sailing
- Specialist instructors experienced in ocean skippering and exam expectations
- Antigua’s offshore environment — a common port of arrival from Transatlantic passages
- Hands-on support in preparing your qualifying passage narratives and plots
- Focus on judgement, leadership and real-world navigation skills
- Warm-water conditions, ideal for completing long passages and focused study
Whether you’re aiming for professional command roles or want to prove your capability on extended voyages, we help you approach the exam with clarity and confidence.
After Your Exam
Passing the RYA Yachtmaster Ocean Exam:
- Demonstrates deep competence in navigation, meteorology, vessel systems and crew leadership
- Confirms your ability to skipper a yacht anywhere in the world — with no distance limits from a safe haven.
- Work as a professional skipper in offshore cruising, charter and delivery roles with world-wide scope (subject to commercial endorsement and medical requirements)
- Progress toward Master 200, Chief Mate or MCA advanced certifications
- Command oceangoing passages with confidence and credibility
