The RYA Yachtmaster Offshore qualification is widely considered to be the pinnacle of achievement for the coastal and offshore sailor. In fact, the only non-teaching qualification that is higher than Yachtmaster Offshore is Yachtmaster Ocean, for those sailors looking to skipper ocean passages on commercially coded vessels.

Whilst many sailors aspire to skipper their own yacht, many are looking to enter the ever-growing yachting industry as a professional sailor. The Yachtmaster Offshore ticket (with commercial endorsement) is now the industry standard for those looking to enter the industry, representing, as it does, a particularly high degree of theoretical knowledge and practical experience.

The Yachtmaster Offshore is expected to have a high skill set and in order to ensure that standards are maintained the RYA Yachtmaster Offshore examination remains an externally invigilated practical examination undertaken by an external examiner appointed by the RYA directly.  

As an RYA accredited Training Centre, we have always taught courses from Competent Crew to Yachtmaster, together with accompanying shorebased theory elements. However, for the first time in Gibraltar, we are now offering a bespoke fast track training programme aimed at those looking to gain a Yachtmaster Offshore qualification within a minimal timeframe.

The Jolly Parrot Professional Yachtmaster Fastrack Training Program is aimed at the total novice but, unlike some schools, we also offer staged entry to the course at novice, Day Skipper or Yachtmaster Coastal, making the course appeal to a wide range of candidates with varying levels of experience. Our courses fees start from as little as £4,199 for candidates joining the 7 week course at Yachtmaster Coastal, right the way up to the full novice-to-Yachtmaster course which extends over 16 weeks.

We offer tuition at our Gibraltar base in the sunny Mediterranean but also enable our candidates to take part in races and/or regattas along the way. We have long found that competition helps reinforce and sharpen sailing skills. In addition, our unique ability to offer candidates sailing in the Mediterranean in two continents and four countries allows students to be fully exposed to everything from Mediterranean and domestic berthing techniques, customs procedures and navigation through the iconic (and busy) shipping lanes and TSS South West of Gibraltar’s iconic Europa Point.

We offer our Fast Track Yachtmaster Offshore candidates free accommodation on board throughout their 7 to 16 week course. You will learn the importance of victualling a yacht and be allocated a healthy weekly budget, which if used wisely, will only need minimal personal subsistence funds. With many new ports to choose from there is plenty to do of an evening, when not studying or passage planning, and there are worse places to train and prepare for this prestigious MCA recognised RYA qualification than the Western Mediterranean and the challenging waters here in sunny Gibraltar.

The course fees include;

• All accommodation during the course
• All breakfasts and lunches plus two evening meals per week when at sea
• Free use of waterproof clothing
• Fresh bedding and towels
• Safety equipment
• Mooring fees
• All charts and publications.
• All short courses

For more details contact us for more information and an initial chat.