WHY SHOULD I GAIN A ROYAL YACHTING ASSOCIATION (RYA) CERTIFICATION?
It’s simply the best!
“The Royal Yachting Association (RYA) sailing qualifications have been voted the premiere sailing accreditation for excellence and global reputation following a recent survey targeting 200 professional yacht and motorboat charter companies. The professional charter companies that were surveyed own and manage in excess of 6,000 charter boats across the Mediterranean, Caribbean and Asia...
2014 Seamaster Yachting
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RYA Training Overview
RYA training is forward thinking and designed for whatever level of skill, professionalism and knowledge you want to achieve. The RYA have been around for over 130 years, but the approach is fresh and up to date with practical and online theory courses available worldwide. RYA courses never stop developing to take into account the dynamic world of boating.
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Over 2,200 RYA recognized training centers in more than 44 countries.
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22,000 RYA instructors across the world.
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15,000 professionals working on commercial vessels using RYA Certificates of Competence.
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155,000 people completing RYA courses every year.
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Over 300,000 expert RYA publications are added each year to the personal libraries of recreational and professional boaters.
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Over 100 professional and recreational courses on the water, in the classroom and online.
To review the entire RYA program go to www.rya.uk.org.
RYA Courses Available through Yachting Education
Start Yachting & Private Tuition
This course provides a short introduction to sail cruising for novices. By the end of the course you will have experienced a yacht under motor and sail, how a yacht is propelled by the wind, sail handling techniques and the basics of crew work.
Pre-Requisites
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Pre Course experience: None
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Assumed knowledge: None
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Minimum duration: 1 days. Often run over a weekend or midweek
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Minimum age: None
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Course content: Basic knowledge of sea terms and parts of a boat, her rigging and sails, sail handling and basic sail trim.
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Ability after course: Understand how the yacht sails, the basic boat dynamics of wind and sails, how to participate in the sailing process and positively contribute to the day’s voyage.
Competent Crew
This is for novice sailors and those who would like to become active crew members rather than just passengers. By the end of the course you should be able to steer, handle sails, keep a lookout, row a dinghy and assist in all the day to day routines.
Pre-Requisites
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Pre Course experience: None
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Assumed knowledge: None
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Minimum duration: 5 days.
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Minimum age: None
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Course content: Knowledge of sea terms and parts of a boat, her rigging and sails, sail handling, ropework, fire precautions and fighting, personal safety equipment, man overboard, emergency equipment, meteorology, seasickness, helmsmanship, general duties, manners.
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Ability after course: Able to steer, handle sails, keep a lookout and assist in all the day to day routines
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Day Skipper
A course for aspiring skippers with some yachting experience and basic navigation and sailing skills. Learn to skipper a short passage with the instructor on hand to give advice and encouragement and ensure your safety. Experience being in charge, taking credit when it all goes well and being responsible when it doesn't.
(Note: Day Skipper graduates are automatically entitled to apply for the International Certificate of Competency)
Pre-Requisites
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Pre-course experience: 5 days, 100 miles, 4 night hours on board a sailing yacht
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Assumed knowledge: Some sailing experience and basic navigation skills. It is recommended you complete the Day Skipper online course from www.NauticEd.org beforehand.
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Minimum duration 5 days: 3 weekends or 3 days plus 2 days
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Minimum age: 16
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Course content Preparation for sea, deck work, navigation, pilotage, meteorology, rules of the road, maintenance and repair work, engines, victualling, emergency situations, yacht handling under power, yacht handling under sail, passage making, night cruising.
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Coastal Skipper
A course for those with considerable knowledge of sailing and navigation wanting to undertake coastal passages by day and night. Each trainee will skipper more challenging passages under the guidance of the instructor.
Pre-Requisites
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Pre-course experience: Day Skipper Certificate.
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Assumed knowledge: Advanced navigation including Coastal Skipper theory available at www.NauticEd.org .
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Minimum duration: 5 days
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Minimum age: 17 years old .
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Course content: 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.
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Ability after course: Able to skipper a yacht on coastal passages by day and night
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International Certificate of Competency
If you are chartering a vessel abroad, you will generally need evidence of your competence. The ICC is a certificate which is intended to provide evidence of competence when requested by officials in foreign countries. The certificate is available via completion of the RYA Day Skipper course OR a one day exam.
Pre-Requisites
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Pre Exam requirements: Basic boat handling skills under power and sail. Is physically and mentally fit to operate a pleasure craft, and in particular, has sufficient powers of vision and hearing. Presents evidence of nationality or residency to show that their nationality does not preclude them from being issued with an ICC by the RYA.
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Assumed knowledge: Day Skipper theory or above, available at www.NauticEd.org
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Minimum age: 16
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Minimum duration: 3 Hours
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Exam content: Satisfactory demonstration of yacht handling skills under power and sail. Knowledge of international collision regulations, navigation and “rules of the road” Full exam details available http://www.rya.org.uk/SiteCollectionDocuments/cruising/Web%20Documents/Boating%20Abroad/ICC%20Form.pdf
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Ability after exam: International license evidencing competence when requested by officials in foreign countries.
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Telephone: 803-280-0881