Professional Yachtmaster Training

Officer of the Watch Certificate (OOW) consists of seven different modules, these are required to be completed for the MCA Officer of the Watch (Yachts Less Than 3000 GT) Certificate of Competency and are preparation for the MCA oral exam.

Officer of the Watch (OOW) Class Modules Include

Officer of the Watch Qualifying Experience

  1. Must be 19 years old or over
  2. An IYT Master of Yachts Limited Certificate
  3. Have (since the age of 16) a minimum of 36 months Onboard Yacht Service, in vessels of any size, including not less than 365 days Sea Service in vessels of 15 meters or more in loadline length, where the Sea Service is:
    1. A minimum of 250 days Actual Sea Service, and
    2. The balance of 115 days any combination of the following:
      • Actual Sea Service
      • Stand-by Service to a maximum of 14 consecutive days in one period regardless of any further time spent standing-by. Further periods may be counted only when the vessel returns after proceeding to sea on passage
      • Yard Service to a maximum of 90 days continuously or in separate periods
  4. Have completed the MCA approved Training Record Book

Please Note:

  • Pass the Master (Yachts less than 3 000gt) oral examination.
  • For the latest requirements for MCA Officer of the Watch, refer to M-Notice MSN 1858

Seven (7) Class Modules for a Certificate of Competency

Navigation and Radar including ARPA (OOW Yachts)

Course Length: 15 days
Approvals: MCA

This course includes sections on the Collision Regulations, chart work, compass work, Gyro Compass, Buoyage, Electronic Navigation Aids, ECDIS, AIS, Radar, ARPA and Tidal Calculations. Theory is covered in the first 10 days, concluding with a written examination. The third week’s training takes place in a simulator.

Navigation & Radar

General Ship’s Knowledge (GSK) (OOW Yachts)

Course Length: 5 days
Approvals: MCA

Introduction to ship construction, stresses and corrosion, transverse stability, reserve buoyancy and damage control, global and local meteorological effects, meteorological instruments and weather information, the principles for safe seamanship, watchkeeping, preparation for sea and maintenance.

General Ship’s Knowledge

Proficiency in Survival Craft and Resuce Boats / Advanced Sea Survival (OOW Yachts)

Course Length: 3 days
Approvals: MCA

This course covers the essentials to prevention, survival and rescue techniques. It includes both theory and practical session. Subject areas include emergencies and drills, survival craft, survival equipment, first aid, survival actions, distress communication, MOB, search patterns, lifejackets and immersion suits and the use of rescue boats.

Advanced Sea Survival

See MCA Class Structure