Individual Theory Coaching & Tuition
We do offer individual or small group coaching and tuition on all of our theory courses. This can be a full course but more usually students need a refresher on courses previously completed or where following an online syllabus may need additional training on specific aspects
Cost is US $385 per day or $50 per hour. Please enquire by clicking on the 'Contact Us!' button on the right.
RYA Radar
Now commonplace on both sailing and motor boats, Radar is an invaluable aid for pilotage, navigation and for collision avoidance. However, it is only useful in the hands of a knowledgeable and experienced operator. This one day course provides the knowledge for you to then gain the experience.
This course is ideal for those working up to Yachtmaster or Advanced Powerboat and candidates should have a basic understanding of the navigation and the collision regulations.
Because radar is an invaluable aid, this course includes lifetime access to an approved radar simulator.
Please click here to see the progression and recommended path for RYA theory courses.
$195usd pp. Please click on the 'Training Dates & Booking' button on the right to check available dates. We may not have any dates scheduled but please be sure to contact us directly and we will be able to arrange an available day.
RYA Yachtmaster Offshore Motor
RYA Yachtmaster Offshore Motor
NOTICE: We will resume all RYA Motor Cruising Courses in January 2024. Please contact us for more information.
The preparation method is normally 3 days onboard but as the examiner will expect a high level of mechanical knowledge of a general and vessel specific nature, then completing one of the Engineering courses is highly recommended. We can build a 2 day maintenance course into the prep.
During the exam you can expect to give the examiner a guided tour of your engine room. He/she will expect a detailed knowledge of your equipment and may ask searching questions about the operation of specific machinery and systems.
The same may be true of fuel switching systems between tanks and engines or the use of day tanks. Be aware of how much fuel you carry and your cruising range. Make sure you can explain the oil, air, fuel, salt and fresh water systems and show the examiner where all the lines and hoses go.
You will be expected to be able to handle the boat efficiently in a confined area and be able to berth in a variety of situations. This may well include berthing on one engine (in a twin engine vessel) and berthing without the use of the bow thruster if fitted.
Under way you will be examined on your high-speed navigation. Make sure you know where you are and where you are going at all times. The power exam may well have more emphasis than the sail equivalent on GPS and radar navigation so make sure you are familiar with the equipment on the exam vessel.
$1800usd pp. Please click on the 'Training Dates & Booking' button on the right to check available dates.
| Duration: | 5 Days plus maintenance course (3 Days preparation, followed by a 2 day exam) |
Max students : | 4 |
| Previous Experience: | VHF certificate, A Valid First Aid certificate, 50 days Onboard, 5 days as skipper, 2500 miles, 5 passages over 60 nautical miles including 2 overnight and 2 as skipper. |
Minimum Age: | 18 |
| Locations: | Antigua | Dates: | This course is run all year round |
RYA Power to Sail Conversion Course
Yachtmaster Power to Sail and Sail to Power 'Conversion'
From July 2021 there is no longer a shortened conversion exam as such.
The exam that will be undertaken by the candidate is a full exam, however the fact that the candidate already holds an RYA Yachtmaster Certificate of Competence in one discipline, means that we can accepted a reduced amount of mileage and sea time in the discipline for which they will now be examined.
Holders of the RYA Yachtmaster® Coastal or Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate of Competence in a particular discipline (sail or power) are eligible for a “discount” in terms of the mileage and sea time that is required for the exam in the other discipline.
The sea time shown below must be in the discipline in which you are to be examined (sail or power). All qualifying seatime must be within 10 years prior to the exam.
Yachtmaster Coastal
- Minimum of 400 miles
- 12 days living on board
- 2 days as skipper
- 12 night hours
Yachtmaster Offshore
- Minimum of 1250 miles
- 25 days living on board
- 3 days as skipper
- 3 passages over 60 miles including 1 overnight and 1 as skipper
It is essential that candidates for any exam be fully conversant with the entire syllabus relating to the relevant type of vessel (sail or motor) and that they have adequate experience to be confident in the capacity of skipper of that type of craft.
PPR Professional Practices & Responsibilities and Commercial Endorsements
This is an online course that can be booked via Ondeck and is essential for anyone looking to commercially endorse their RYA license
Each year approximately 4,500 people apply to the RYA for a commercial endorsement in order to use their RYA qualifications professionally as skipper or crew. You could be doing anything from delivering a new 35’ yacht or driving a workboat with lifting and towing gear, to running a superyacht in the Med. Whatever your job is on board, in the commercial world you are a professional seafarer. As such, you are no different from the captain of a cruise liner – you have a duty of care to crew, passengers, and other water users, and you will be held to account if things go wrong.
The course is broken down into four modules:
- Commercial environment - how you fit into the professional maritime world.
- People – the importance of correct manning, keeping your skills up to date and the safe management of commercial vessels.
- Vessel – the compulsory carriage and maintenance of safety equipment and how to create and implement risk control and operating procedures.
- Purpose – making sure your vessel is suitable and legal for the work you are carrying out, your obligations in protecting the environment, appropriate planning and situational awareness.
Please click here to see the progression and recommended path for RYA theory courses.
$80usd pp - online
RYA/World Sailing Offshore Personal Survival
This is a 2 day course comprising the one day RYA Sea Survival course and one day of training in seamanship and emergencies, including heavy weather seamanship, weather forecasting, fire fighting and man overboard recovery
At the end of the course you will have a good knowledge of the safety equipment carried on small boats and the seamanship techniques needed to survive at sea in heavy weather.
The certificate awarded conforms with the eligibility requirements of section 6.01 of the World Sailing Special Regulations for category 0, 1 and some category 2 offshore races.
These regulations require a percentage of the crew to have taken personal survival training. Full details of the Special Regulations can be found in the World Sailing website https://www.sailing.org/
RYA SRC VHF Radio
A valid SRC is a legal requirement in most parts of the world for any skipper who needs to use a Marine radio. At Ondeck we use real equipment so you can get the best from our hands on training, getting used to real radio controls such as the press to talk button, the squelch, and DSC functions.
You will become familiar with how to send a Mayday, a Pan Pan and Securité Call. You will also cover all of the regulations and the need for a common radio language.
Before you attend the course, you will need to learn the Phonetic Alphabet.
This course allows you to gain confidence in using the handset and being able to get help quickly and efficiently in an emergency.
This course is a pre-requisite for Yachtmaster Coastal and Yachtmaster Offshore.
You can take this course at our training centre or online.
Please click here to see the progression and recommended path for RYA theory courses.
Online $265usd pp - Classroom $285usd pp. Please click on the 'Training Dates & Booking' button on the right to check available dates.
RYA Yachtmaster Ocean Theory
RYA Yachtmaster Ocean Theory & Oral Exam
Ondeck provide a comprehensive, professional training curriculum, covering all aspects of Ocean Sailing from the RYA Yachtmaster Ocean Theory course to the qualifying Ocean Passage and Oral Exam.
The Yachtmaster Ocean Theory course is run over 5 days and covers astro-navigation and worldwide meteorology. You will learn the art of using a sextant as well as what to do in heavy weather and hurricane situations. Passage planning is also covered as part of this course and you will be ask to consider everything from your choice of yacht to victualling and fuel management and much much more.
The usual sequence is to complete the theory and exam papers; follow this with a 650 nm qualifying passage during which you should take sights and then arrange for the oral exam. There are some allowed variations to this so please call for more information.
We have prepared some notes which cover the Ocean exam pre-requisites, including certification required, minimum seatime and more. Please click here for the qualifying passage RYA requirements.
Students wanting to complete the Yachtmaster Ocean Exam will need to hold a Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate of Competence.
Please click here to see the progression and recommended path for RYA theory courses.
Classroom $1250usd pp - Oral exam only $150usd pp. Please click on the 'Training Dates & Booking' button on the right to check available dates.
Yachtmaster Sail to Power Conversion
POWER TO SAIL AND SAIL TO POWER EXAMS
From July 2021 there is no longer a shortened conversion exam as such
The exam that will be undertaken by the candidate is a full exam, however the fact that the candidate already holds an RYA Yachtmaster Certificate of Competence in one discipline, means that we can accepted a reduced amount of mileage and sea time in the discipline for which they will now be examined.
Holders of the RYA Yachtmaster® Coastal or Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate of Competence in a particular discipline (sail or power) are eligible for a “discount” in terms of the mileage and sea time that is required for the exam in the other discipline.
The sea time shown below must be in the discipline in which you are to be examined (sail or power). All qualifying seatime must be within 10 years
Yachtmaster Offshore
- Minimum of 1250 miles
- 25 days living on board
- 3 days as skipper
- 3 passages over 60 miles including 1 overnight and 1 as skipper
It is essential that candidates for any exam be fully conversant with the entire syllabus relating to the relevant type of vessel (sail or motor) and that they have adequate experience to be confident in the capacity of skipper of that type of craft.