Course Outline;

• Nautical terminology
• Safety briefing
• Passage planning
• Rope work
• Basic rules of the road
• Introduction to weather
• Basic sail handling
• Basic handling under power
• Man overboard procedures
• Vessel equipment and instruments
• Engine checks and maintenance
• Deck seamanship
• Sailing vessels handling skills
• Sailing vessels under power
• Power vessel handling skills
• Dingy handling under power

Course outline;

• Introduction to VHF radio's
• Basic radio theory
• Line of sight
• Subsidiary equipment
• Common radio terms
• Regulations / Licensing requirements
• VHF radio equipment
• Radio procedures
• Transmitting and receiving
• The phonetic alphabet
• Emergency radio communications
• EPIRB and SART
• Hand held short range VHF radio's

This is a five day live aboard course aimed at increasing a student's knowledge sufficiently to be a watchkeeper or a flotilla skipper on board a bareboat yacht, in fair weather, in daylight hours within sight of land. Recommended entry level requirements: to have successfully completed the International Crew course and the VHF radio operator's course.

Course outline;

• Responsibilities of a watchkeeper / flotilla skipper
• Man overboard procedures
• Charts and chartwork
• The magnetic compass
• Buoyage
• Taking over a vessel and vessel checkout
• Engine, tools, spares, safety equipment
• Crew safety briefing
• Galley and provisioning
• Powerboat handling skills
• Sailboat handling skills
• Basic first aid
• Collision regulations
• Customs matters and legal requirements
• Preparing a short passage
• Anchoring
• Dingy handling under power

This is a five day live aboard. It is not a beginners course and the recommended entry level requirements are a VHF radio operators certificate, and to have logged over 200 nautical miles and 10 days at sea before advancing to this level. The minimum age requirement to obtain this certification is 18.

Course Outline;

• Responsibilities of a bareboat skipper
• Crew safety checks
• Hull and rig checks
• Machinery and systems checks
• Fuel and water capacity and range
• Menus and quantities
• Float plan
• Sources of meteorological information
• Weather patterns
• Sea and land breezes
• Cloud types and formations
• Pilotage and passage planning
• Considerations when planning a passage
• Routine for navigating a coastal passage
• Passage strategy
• Port regulations, customs, immigration
• Pilotage plans
• Vessel handling in confined quarters
• Mooring, anchoring, coming alongside
• Ropes, knots, care and use of lines
• General deck work
• Tides and currents theory
• Tidal heights, springs and neaps
• Rule of "twelfths"
• Position fixing, running fixes
• Plotting the effect of tides and currents
• Collision regulations
• Lights, shapes and sounds
• Application of the regulations
• Advanced dingy handling

When it comes to facing the elements at sea, textbook knowledge is no substitute for practical experience. There is no doubt that aspiring yachtsmen and women must prepare themselves as much as possible before being able to truly take full responsibility for themselves, their vessels and their crews. IYT Yachtmaster certification is of vital importance because it is an established and globally recognised measure of competency for the commanding of power and

sail vessels. This certification not only makes yachting a pleasure, as it should be, but also a safer pursuit for all those who wish to participate now and in the future.

What are the IYT Yachtmaster certificate's?

The IYT Yachtmaster courses are recreationa courses. These courses are designed to provide the highest standard of maritime education for the recreational yachtsman and woman and for those who are serious about obtaining the best nautical qualifications available. They are ideal for those who greatly want to expand their knowledge and experience and increase their confidence in commanding a yacht. For those who are taking the courses, completion of the 5 day STCW Basic Safety training

courses is not required but is highly recommended. The five day course covers Fire fighting, Sea Survival, First Aid and Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities. Yachtmaster courses are not beginners courses.

How many Yachtmaster courses are there?

There are three:

Yachtmaster Coastal to operate a Yacht up to 24 m (80')

Yachtmaster Offshore to operate a Yacht up to 200 Tons, 150 miles Offshore

Yachtmaster Ocean to operate a Yacht up to 200 Tons unlimited Oceans

What are the advantages of holding an IYT Yachtmaster Certificate?

The IYT Yachtmaster certificates are internationally recognised as a standard of excellence for the recreational yachtsman.

IYT Yachtmaster qualifications are recognised by marine insurance companies worldwide

IYT Yachtmaster qualifications give the yachtsman and woman a much increased level of confidence in their ability to handle a yacht due to our intensive level of on the water training.

IYT Yachtmaster certificates are accepted by yacht charter companies on a worldwide basis

What does the Yachtmaster Coastal course consist of?

A comprehensive live aboard course consisting of 6 days for sail or 5 days for power which includes the practical on the water examination. The course covers subjects such as navigational charts and publications, dead reckoning and estimated position, position fixing, tides, tidal levels and data, pilotage, safety at sea, meteorology and much more. Because the Yachtmaster Coastal course is conducted onboard a yacht it also covers such practical seamanship skills as ropework, anchorwork, boat handling, docking, yacht presentation, navigation, passage planning and much more.

For a complete syllabus of the IYT Yachtmaster Coastal Course click here

What are the minimum entry requirements to apply for the IYT Yachtmaster Coastal course?

In order to participate in this course, candidates should have logged 30 days and 800 miles at sea including 2 days as watch leader/skipper and 12 hours underway on watch at night.

Candidates may sit the course prior to obtaining the minimum sea time. However, they will not be issued their Yachtmaster Coastal Certificate until all the requirements have been met.

Verification of yachting experience must be signed by the skipper of the yacht on which the candidate was sailing. Candidates claiming sea time during times when they were acting as captain may sign their own entries, but will need independent proof that can be verified by IYT.

What Is Required For The IYT Yachtmaster Coastal Exam?

The course must be completed before applying for the exam.

Minimum sea time requirements must also have been met before examination.

What Does The Exam Consist Of?

The examination takes the form of an oral and practical test onboard a yacht. Candidates must demonstrate that they have sufficient ability to handle, dock, and anchor the boat with a required level of confidence. Candidates can expect to be examined on any subject contained within the syllabus and to be questioned on any of their yachting experience to date.

In the event that the examiner considers an examinee not to have achieved the required standards, an IYT Yachtmaster certificate will not be issued. In this case, a confidential report will be sent to the candidate outlining the reason or reasons for failure and suggesting remedial action that could lead to the successful completion of the course. Completion of the IYT Yachtmaster Coastal course is not a guarantee of passing the examination and receiving your certificate.

How To Apply For Enrollment?

Candidates may apply to any of the participating IYT Partner Schools worldwide who offer this course. To view the list of IYT Partner schools click here

In order to apply for the IYT Yachtmaster certification courses, a detailed yachting resume must be sent to your IYT training school for evaluation.

Acceptance onto the course does not automatically guarantee obtaining an IYT Yachtmaster Coastal Certificate. All the prerequisites must be fulfilled and satisfactory standards achieved in all of the courses.

What does the Yachtmaster Coastal course consist of?

The IYT Yachtmaster Offshore course has become the most globally accepted course for the operation of recreational yachts up to 200 Tons.

What are the IYT Yachtmaster 200 Ton certificate's?

The IYT Yachtmaster courses are recreational courses. The courses are designed to provide the highest standard of maritime education for the recreational yachtsman and woman and for those who are serious about obtaining the best nautical qualifications available. They are ideal for those who greatly want to expand their knowledge and experience and increase their confidence in commanding a yacht. For those who are taking the courses, completion of the 5 day STCW Basic Safety training courses is not required but highly recommended. The five day course covers Fire fighting, Sea Survival, First Aid and Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities.

Yachtmaster courses are not for beginners, candidates will have to meet minimum requirements as outlined below.

How many Yachtmaster courses are there?

There are three:

Yachtmaster Coastal for the operation of a Yacht up to 24 m (80')

Yachtmaster Offshore for the operation of a Yacht up to 200 Tons, 150 miles Offshore

Yachtmaster Ocean for the operation of a Yacht up to 200 Tons unlimited Oceans

What are the advantages of holding an IYT Yachtmaster Certificate?

The IYT Yachtmaster certificates are the most internationally recognised qualifications for recreational yachting worldwide.

IYT Yachtmaster qualifications are recognised by marine insurance companies worldwide.

IYT Yachtmaster qualifications give the yachtsman and woman a much increased level of confidence in their ability to handle a yacht due to our intensive level of on the water training.

IYT Yachtmaster certificates are accepted by all major yacht charter companies.

What are the minimum entry requirements to complete the IYT Yachtmaster Offshore Course?

There are no pre-requisite courses required.
However, candidates must provide documented evidence of boating experience as stated below:

Candidates must have logged 50 days on board a yacht at sea as an active crew member. For the purpose of this requirement, a day is defined as a period of 24 consecutive hours. Parts of a day may be included in this total, but a day is not invalidated by a candidate leaving the yacht for a few hours during a cruise. The term "at sea" is defined as being on a vessel outside of any harbor - natural or artificial - in which a cruising yacht could secure or anchor for a prolonged period of time.

Have logged 3,000 miles in a yacht while cruising at sea (power or sail). This mileage must be logged on genuine cruises or passages but not short day trips. At least 2,000 miles must have been completed on coastal voyages and not ocean crossings. It is important that the candidate has considerable time of actual vessel handling.

Thirty hours on watch at night underway as an active member of a yacht's crew. For at least six hours of this night time experience, the candidate must have been acting as the vessel's captain/watchleader. "Night," in this context, is defined as the time between sunset and sunrise.

A current medical examination and a colour blindness eyesight examination which allows the participant to safely perform the relevant duties on a yacht, including being able to see and distinguish lights and signals of other vessels and navigational marks in typical weather conditions without risk to him/herself, other crewmembers or the safe operation of the vessel.

Candidates may sit the shore-based course prior to having all the above requirements.
Verification of the above yachting experience must be original and signed by the skipper of the yacht in which the candidate was sailing. Candidates claiming sea time during times when they were acting as skipper may sign their own entries but independent verification may be required and checked by IYT.

What does the programme consist of?

The programme consists of three separate courses as outlined below. Each course stands alone and can be taken individually or together. They can be taken in any of our participating partner schools and it is not necessary to complete them all at the same time or at the same location if you do not wish to. However, it is recommended that all three courses be taken in as quick a succession as possible in order to retain as much information before the final on-board examination with an IYT examiner.

(A) A six day comprehensive high level shore based course with assessment papers and written examinations incorporating subjects including navigation, tidal calculations, international collision regulations, pilotage, meteorology, anchoring, berthing, buoyage, safety, passage planning, general ship knowledge and seamanship. Candidates are advised that a considerable amount of private study and varied cruising experience is required in addition to the formal instruction provided.

(B) A five day practical course which is conducted on board a yacht (either power or sail) covering seamanship skills such as nautical terminology, tides, ropework, anchors/anchoring, boat handling, docking, yacht presentation, general boating skills, weather, navigation, ability to command, situational awareness and passage planning. This will be a preparation course for your final IYT Yachtmaster Offshore Examination.

(C) A 6 hour VHF Radio Operators course. This course covers the general rules and procedures for the safe operation of a VHF marine radio. This course will either be conducted on board the yacht or in the classroom prior to joining the practical course.

(D) The 5 day STCW Basic Safety Training courses consisting of:

A Personal Survival course

which in compliance with STCW '95 Code A - VI/1-2 and consists of one and a half day in a classroom covering subjects such as emergency situations, evacuation, survival craft and rescue boats, personal lifesaving appliances, survival at sea, emergency radio equipment and helicopter assistance. The remainder of the course is spent in a swimming pool performing an actual life raft inflation and inversion and the simulation of other abandon ship procedures. The theory and practical are both followed by a short written examination.

A Fire fighting and prevention course

which is in compliance with STCW '95 Code A - VI/1-2 including shipboard fire fighting organisation, the elements of fire and explosion, types of ignition, fire and smoke detection, breathing apparatus use and automatic alarm system familiarisation. Candidates will fight and extinguish actual fires using personal survival equipment, appliances methods and various agents. The course includes seminar and practical instruction taught by licensed and certified fire fighting professionals. It takes two days to complete and is followed by a short written examination.

A First Aid and CPR course

which in compliance with STCW '95 Code A - VI/1-2 and consists of approximately seven hours of theory and practical demonstration covering basic First Aid and CPR in marine situations. The course is followed by a short written examination.

A 4 hour Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities course

in compliance with the STCW '95 Code A - VI/1 - 2. The course covers safety on board a boat, types of emergencies, knowledge of shipboard plans, safe working practices and is followed by a short written examination.

What is required for my final Yachtmaster examination?

All of the courses and criteria must be fulfilled before a candidate may apply to take the final on-board examination.

What does the final exam consist of?

The final exam will be conducted by an independent IYT Yachtmaster examiner and takes the form of an extensive oral and practical test on a yacht (either power or sail). Candidates can expect to be examined on any subject covered by the syllabus of the shore based or practical courses and to be questioned on any aspect of their yachting experience to date.

In the event that the examiner considers an examinee not to have achieved the required standards and/or the candidates ability as Captain does not reach the required standard, and/or the prerequisites have not been met for the IYT Yachtmaster Offshore, a Yachtmaster Coastal Certificate may be issued in the interim. In this case, and if requested, a personal report will be sent to the candidate outlining the reason or reasons for failure and suggesting remedial action prior to re sitting the exam.
Completion of the Yachtmaster Offshore certification course is not a guarantee of passing the examination and receiving your certificate.

How do I apply for enrollment?

Candidates may apply to any of the participating IYT Partner Schools worldwide who offer this course. To view the list of IYT Partner schools click here

In order to apply for the IYT Yachtmaster certification courses, a detailed yachting resume must be sent to your IYT partner training school for evaluation.

Acceptance onto the course does not automatically guarantee obtaining an IYT Yachtmaster certificate. All the prerequisites must be fulfilled and satisfactory standards achieved in all of the courses.

What is the IYT Yachtmaster Ocean Certificate?

This certificate is a qualification that indicates that the holder has sufficient knowledge of celestial navigation to navigate globally using a sextant and to plan, undertake and manage an Ocean passage together with a comprehensive understanding of the factors involved with regards to routing and meteorology.

What are the entry level requirements?

To gain the IYT Yachtmaster Ocean certificate, candidates must first hold the IYT Yachtmaster Offshore certificate.

What does the Yachtmaster Ocean theory course consist of?

The course consists of 6 days of astronavigation and worldwide meteorology. A thorough knowledge of all subjects covered in the IYT Yachtmaster Offshore course is assumed. There will be a final written examination on the last day of the course.

It has come to our attention that it has not been made perfectly clear to all IYT Worldwide yachtmaster candidates that this certification is for recreational use only and may never be upgraded to a professional certificate. Therefore, we require all candidates taking a recreational IYT Worldwide Yachtmaster Coastal, Offshore or Ocean course to complete an acknowledgement prior to taking the course which will be submitted to IYT Worldwide before we release certificates.

The course cover;

• The earth and the celestial sphere
• The PZX triangle
• The sextant
• Measurement of time
• Meridian altitudes
• Sun sights
• Planet sights
• Starsight planning
• Starsights
• The pole star
• Moon sights
• Compass checking
• Satellite navigation systems
• Great circle sailing
• Meteorology
• Passage planning

The IYT Yachtmaster Ocean certificate is a qualification that indicates that the holder has sufficient knowledge of celestial navigation to navigate globally using a sextant and to plan, undertake and manage an Ocean passage together with a comprehensive understanding of the factors involved with regards to routing and meteorology.