The Ocean theory course teaches you to find your position anywhere on earth with a sextant, an almanac and a watch. You learn to take and reduce sun, star, planet and moon sights, work a sun-run-sun and a meridian altitude, check the compass by amplitude or azimuth, plan ocean routes using pilot charts and routeing information, and understand global weather systems, tropical revolving storms and ocean currents. It is intellectually satisfying and, for a Yachtmaster Ocean candidate, essential: the qualifying passage must include sights that you took and worked yourself. For the written-paper exemption, the final shorebased exam must have been invigilated at an RYA-recognised training centre.
At a glance
| Type | Theory course |
|---|---|
| Duration | About 40 hours: a five-day intensive or online |
| Minimum age | None |
| Stage in the pathway | Stage 9 of 10 |
Before you start
| Experience needed | None formally |
|---|---|
| Theory needed | Coastal Skipper / Yachtmaster Offshore theory |
Assumed knowledge: Yachtmaster Offshore theory. The course assumes you are already a confident coastal navigator.
What it covers
- The celestial sphere, the nautical almanac and sight reduction tables
- Taking sights with a sextant and correcting them
- Sun sights: sun-run-sun and meridian altitude (noon sight)
- Star, planet and moon sights and the twilight routine
- Compass checking by amplitude and azimuth
- Ocean passage planning: pilot charts, great circle and rhumb line routes, routeing
- World meteorology: global wind systems, tropical revolving storms, ocean currents
- Satellite navigation systems and their limitations offshore
- Communications and safety on ocean passages
What you get
Yachtmaster Ocean Shorebased course completion certificate. The written-paper exemption requires the final exam to have been invigilated at an RYA-recognised training centre.
Where it sits in the pathway
This is the first rung of the ladder. After this: Yachtmaster Ocean.