RYA Yachtmaster Ocean Theory Course

The RYA Yachtmaster Ocean Theory Course covers long range navigation including the art of using sun, stars, planets and the moon to fix your position, an essential skill when things go wrong at sea such as battery or electronics failure. It is is an advanced course designed for those who wish to do blue water cruising and requires knowledge equivalent to the RYA Coastal Skipper / Yachtmaster Theory Course.

The RYA Yachtmaster Ocean Theory Course covers all aspects of ocean navigation including:

• Astro navigation including the use of the sextant,
• Satellite navigation systems
• Worldwide meteorology
• Passage planning including the use of routeing charts etc
• Passage Making
• Communications at sea

The standard course is run over 5 consecutive days from 9.00am to 5.30pm. Towards the end of the course you will be given an assessment papers to complete. On succesful completion you will be awarded the RYA Yachtmaster Ocean Theory certificate.

All equipment to complete the course will be provided. You just need to bring a notepad. Tea and coffee is included and you can get lunch from the village which is a short walk away.

To book on a course please click the book now button on the right of the page or to discuss your requirements you can contact us seven days a week from 8.00a.m to 7.30pm on 01243 432485 or 07702 842190

1. The earth and the celestial sphere
   • Definition of observer’s zenith and position of a heavenly body in terms of latitude, longitude, GHA and declination
   • Right angle relationships, latitude and co-lat, declination and polar distance
   • Relationship between GHA, longitude and LHA
   • Tabulation of declination in nautical almanac
   • Rate of increase of hour angle with time
2. The PZX triangle
   • The tabulated components of the triangle, LHA, co-lat and polar distance
   • The calculable components, zenith distance and azimuth
   • Relationship between zenith distance and altitude
   • Introduction to the tabular method of solution in the Air Navigation Tables and the basic sight form
   • The use of calculators for the solution of the PZX triangle
3. The sextant
   • Practical guide to the use and care of a sextant at sea
   • Conversion of sextant altitude to true altitude
   • Application of dip, index error and refraction
   • Correction of side error, perpendicularity, index error and collimation error
4. Measurement of time
   • Definition of, and relationship between, UT, LMT, standard time and zone time
   • Rating of chronometers and watches
5. Meridian altitudes
   • Forecasting time of meridian altitude
   • Reduction of meridian altitude sights
6. Sun, star and other sights
   • Reduction and plotting of sun sights using Air Navigation Tables
   • Awareness of use of calculator for sight reduction
   • The plotting of sun-run-sun meridian altitude
   • Awareness of the reduction and plotting of sights obtained from stars, moon and planets
7. Compass checking
   • Use of amplitude and azimuth tables systems and/or calculator
8. Satellite Navigation Systems
   • Principles and limitations of use of all systems
9. Great circle sailing
   • Comparison of rhumb lines and great circles
   • Vertices and composite tracks
   • The computation of a series of rhumb lines approximating to a great circle by use of gnomonic and Mercator projections
10. Meteorology
    • General pressure distribution and prevailing winds over the oceans of the world
    • Tropical revolving storms, seasonal occurrence and forecasting by observation
11. 11. Passage planning
    • Publications available to assist with planning of long passages (routeing charts, ocean passages of the world and other publications)
    • Preparation for ocean passage including survival equipment, victualling, water and fuel management, chafe protection, spares and maintenance
12. 12. Passage making
    • Navigational routine
    • Watchkeeping
    • Crew management
13. 13. Communications
    • Satellite and terrestrial systems
    • Weather information

RYA Yachtmaster Ocean Theory - FAQ’s

These are a few of the questions we get asked by people booking on the RYA Yachtmaster Ocean Theory Course. If you have any further queries or are unsure whether this is the course for you please call us on 01243 432485 and we will be only too happy to chat to you.

What time does the course start and finish?

Typically we start at 9.00am and finish at about 5.30pm each day with an hour break for lunch.

What is included in the course fee?

The price includes all course materials to be able to complete the course including a copy of RYA Celestial Navigation Handbook and exam fees. Plotters and dividers are provided for the duration of the course .

What do I need to bring?

You just need to bring a notepad with you (ideally A4 size).

Where is the course held?

It will be held at one of our classroom in Emsworth Yacht Harbour, Thorney Road, Emsworth, Hants PO10 8BP

What qualifications or experience do I need to complete the RYA Yachtmaster Ocean Theory Course?

You need to have the knowledge equivalent to the RYA Coastal Skipper / Yachtmaster Theory Course to be able to attend this course.

Are there any exams?

There is one 2 hour theory paper to be completed at the end of the course:

What qualification will I get once I have completed the course?

On successful completion of the course you will be issued with the RYA Yachtmaster Ocean Shorebased Certificate.

How many people will there be on the course?

We have a maximum of 8 people on a course, though usually the numbers are smaller than this.

Do I need to do the RYA Coastal skipper / Yachtmaster Shorebased Course?

If you need to obtain the RYA Yachtmaster Ocean Certificate of Competence then it is a requirement that you have the shorebased course certificate.

Do I need to bring my own sextant?

If you have your own sextant it may be useful for you to bring it along, if not then we have some which you can practice on.

How do I book?

Just click on the book now button