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RYA Yachtmaster Ocean Theory

Practice Questions100 questions

Exam Review

Key Facts: RYA Yachtmaster Theory Exam

3 papers

Invigilated written exams

RYA shorebased theory course

40-60 hours

Typical study time

RYA Recognised Training Centres

12h 25m

Period of a semi-diurnal tidal cycle

Tidal theory

Force 8

Gale on the Beaufort scale (34-40 kn)

Beaufort wind scale

Channel 16

VHF distress and calling channel

GMDSS / ITU

Red to port

IALA Region A returning from seaward

IALA Maritime Buoyage System

The RYA Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaster Offshore Shorebased Theory course is taken by sailors stepping up to coastal and offshore skippering. Delivered at RYA Recognised Training Centres (classroom or online, around 40-60 hours), it ends in three invigilated written papers - typically Chartwork (about 2 hours), Collision Regulations (about 1.5 hours) and a General/Passage Making paper (up to 3.5 hours). Content covers chartwork and position fixing (variation/deviation, EP, course to steer, running fixes), tides and tidal streams (chart datum, rule of twelfths, tidal curves, secondary ports, diamonds), IRPCS collision regulations (steering and sailing rules, lights, shapes, sound and fog signals), meteorology (synoptic charts, fronts, Buys Ballot's law, Beaufort, Shipping Forecast), passage planning and pilotage under SOLAS V, IALA Region A buoyage, and safety/GMDSS basics (MAYDAY, EPIRB, SART, flares, liferaft). The papers are written; the Yachtmaster Certificate of Competence itself is a separate practical and oral exam.

Sample RYA Yachtmaster Theory Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the RYA Yachtmaster Theory exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1On a passage you measure the angle between true north and magnetic north on the chart's compass rose as 3 degrees West, and your steering compass has a deviation of 2 degrees East on the present heading. What is the total compass error you must apply?

A.5 degrees West

B.1 degree East

C.1 degree West

D.5 degrees East

Explanation: Compass error is the algebraic sum of variation and deviation, treating West as negative and East as positive. 3W and 2E combine to 1 degree West, the net error between compass and true.

2You wish to convert a True bearing of 045 degrees to a Compass bearing for use with your steering compass. Variation is 5 degrees West and deviation is 2 degrees West. Which rule and result are correct?

A.Compass to True, add West: 052 degrees

B.True to Compass, add West: 052 degrees

C.True to Compass, subtract West: 038 degrees

D.True to Compass, add East: 052 degrees

Explanation: Going from True to Compass you apply errors in the 'unwinding' direction, so Westerly errors are ADDED. 045 + 5 + 2 = 052 degrees Compass (mnemonic: 'Error West, Compass best' meaning compass reads higher).

3When plotting an Estimated Position (EP), in which order are the vectors applied from the start position?

A.Tidal stream first, then water track (course steered and distance through the water)

B.Ground track first, then leeway

C.Leeway vector first, then tidal stream, then course to steer

D.Water track (course and log distance) first, then the tidal stream vector for the period

Explanation: An EP is built by plotting the water track (course steered through the water, corrected for leeway, for the log distance run) from the last fix, then adding the tidal stream vector (set and drift) for the same period; the end of the tidal vector is the EP.

4A yacht logs 18 nautical miles through the water over 3 hours. During this time the tidal stream sets 090 degrees at an average rate of 1.5 knots. What total tidal drift do you plot on the EP?

A.1.5 nautical miles

B.4.5 nautical miles

C.6.0 nautical miles

D.3.0 nautical miles

Explanation: Tidal drift = rate x time = 1.5 knots x 3 hours = 4.5 nautical miles, plotted in the direction the stream sets (090 degrees) from the end of the water track.

5On a beam reach in a fresh breeze you notice your yacht is being pushed sideways through the water. This effect, the angle between the course steered and the water track, is known as:

A.Set

B.Leeway

C.Drift

D.Deviation

Explanation: Leeway is the angle between the boat's heading (course steered) and its actual track through the water, caused by wind pushing the hull and rig to leeward; it is applied downwind of the heading when constructing the water track.

6You take three position lines using compass bearings of charted landmarks, but they form a small triangle (a 'cocked hat') rather than meeting at a point. For safe navigation in pilotage waters, where should you assume the vessel is?

A.At the exact centre (centroid) of the triangle

B.At the corner of the triangle furthest from any danger

C.At the corner of the triangle nearest to any danger

D.At whichever corner is closest to your DR position

Explanation: Good practice is to assume the worst case: place the vessel at the corner of the cocked hat closest to any hazard, so that the navigation decision errs on the side of safety.

7A 'running fix' is used to obtain a position when only one charted object is visible. The technique involves:

A.Taking simultaneous bearings of two different objects

B.Taking two bearings of the same object separated by a run, and transferring the first position line forward by the vessel's ground track

C.Measuring the vertical sextant angle of a charted light

D.Comparing GPS position with the depth sounder reading

Explanation: A running fix takes a bearing of a single object, then a second bearing of the same object after a measured run; the first position line is transferred forward by the distance and direction of the run (the ground track) to cross the second, giving a fix.

8When measuring distance on a Mercator chart, which scale should you use and how?

A.The longitude scale at the top or bottom edge

B.The latitude scale at the side, always using the equator end

C.The latitude scale at the side, using the portion adjacent to your area of interest

D.Either scale, since both are identical on a Mercator projection

Explanation: On a Mercator chart the latitude (vertical) scale represents nautical miles, but the scale expands with latitude, so you must use the portion of the side scale level with your working area.

9Your boat's speed through the water is 6 knots and you must steer to counteract a tidal stream setting 270 degrees at 2 knots while making good a ground track of 360 degrees (north). After constructing the course-to-steer vector triangle, the resulting Speed Over Ground will be:

A.Exactly 6 knots

B.Greater than 6 knots

C.Exactly 2 knots

D.Less than 6 knots

Explanation: When the tidal stream sets across the desired ground track (roughly at right angles here, 270 against a 360 track), part of the boat's speed through the water must be 'spent' crabbing into the tide, so the speed made good along the ground track is less than the 6-knot water speed.

10On a standard Admiralty chart, depths (soundings) are charted relative to which datum?

A.Mean Sea Level

B.Highest Astronomical Tide

C.Chart Datum, which is approximately the level of Lowest Astronomical Tide

D.Mean High Water Springs

Explanation: Charted depths are referred to Chart Datum, set at approximately Lowest Astronomical Tide (LAT) so that the actual depth is almost always at least the charted figure plus the height of tide.

About the RYA Yachtmaster Theory Exam

The RYA Coastal Skipper / Yachtmaster Offshore Shorebased Theory course is an advanced navigation and seamanship theory programme delivered at RYA Recognised Training Centres, in the classroom or online. It builds on Day Skipper theory and concludes in three invigilated written papers covering chartwork, tides, collision regulations, meteorology, passage planning and safety. The knowledge gained underpins the Coastal Skipper practical course and the Yachtmaster Coastal and Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate of Competence (which are assessed by separate practical/oral exams). The course is roughly 40-60 hours of study and is a standard step for skippers planning coastal and offshore passages.

Exam sponsor: Royal Yachting Association (RYA) via Recognised Training Centres. The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Assessment

Question count not published by the exam provider

Time Limit

Approximately 1.5 hours (IRPCS), 2 hours (Chartwork) and up to 3.5 hours (Passage Making/General)

Passing Score

Assessed against the RYA pass standard for each written paper

Exam / Certification Fees

Included in the course fee, approximately GBP 300-500 at an RYA Recognised Training Centre

Exam sponsor website

Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.

Official sources

Our practice resources: topics covered

We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.

26%

Chartwork & Position Fixing

Variation and deviation, true/magnetic/compass conversions, dead reckoning and estimated position, course-to-steer vector triangles, leeway and water track, three-point and running fixes, transits, vertical sextant angles, the cocked hat and the Mercator latitude distance scale

22%

Tides & Tidal Streams

Chart datum at approximately LAT, drying heights, the rule of twelfths, standard and secondary port height and time differences, tidal curve interpolation, springs and neaps, tidal diamonds and stream atlases, tidal gates, wind-over-tide and under-keel clearance

24%

IRPCS, Lights & Buoyage

Steering and sailing rules including head-on (14), crossing (15), sailing vessels (12), overtaking (13) and restricted visibility (19), responsibilities (18), lights and shapes (21-31), sound and fog signals (34-35), and IALA Region A lateral, cardinal, isolated-danger and safe-water marks

14%

Meteorology

Synoptic charts and isobar spacing, depressions and anticyclones, warm, cold and occluded fronts, Buys Ballot's law, the Beaufort wind scale, sea and land breezes, advection and radiation fog, and UK Shipping Forecast timing, visibility and sea-area terms

Passage Planning & Pilotage

SOLAS V voyage planning, the appraisal-planning-execution-monitoring cycle, pilotage plans for night and unfamiliar entries, clearing bearings and leading lines, reading light characteristics, dipping distances, tidal windows and safe clearing margins

Safety & GMDSS

MAYDAY, PAN-PAN and SECURITE procedures, VHF Channel 16 and DSC Channel 70, EPIRB, SART, Navtex, distress flares, liferaft and man-overboard drills, and the limitations of AIS and GNSS positioning

Preparing for the RYA Yachtmaster Theory Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: Assessed against the RYA pass standard for each written paper
Assessment: Question count not published by the exam provider
Time limit: Approximately 1.5 hours (IRPCS), 2 hours (Chartwork) and up to 3.5 hours (Passage Making/General)
Exam / certification fees: Included in the course fee, approximately GBP 300-500 at an RYA Recognised Training Centre Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

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RYA Yachtmaster Theory: Suggested Study Strategy

1Drill course-to-steer vector triangles: plot the ground track from the start, lay off the tidal stream (set and drift) for the period, then swing the boat-speed arc to cut the ground track and read the heading

2Memorise the rule of twelfths (1, 2, 3, 3, 2, 1 of the range per hour) and practise secondary-port height and time differences against a standard port until they are second nature

3Learn the IRPCS by sector: head-on alter to starboard (Rule 14), give way when the other is on your starboard side (Rule 15), and the overtaking vessel always keeps clear (Rule 13)

4Fix the fog signals: one prolonged blast for a power-driven vessel making way, two prolonged for stopped, and one prolonged plus two short for NUC, RAM, sailing, fishing and constrained-by-draught vessels (Rule 35)

5Know IALA Region A: red cans to port and green cones to starboard when entering from seaward, plus the cardinal-mark cone topmarks (north cones up, south cones down, east base-to-base, west point-to-point)

6Use Shipping Forecast terms precisely: imminent within 6 hours, soon 6-12 hours, later beyond 12 hours; visibility good over 5 M, moderate 2-5 M, poor 1000 m to 2 M, fog under 1000 m

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the RYA Coastal Skipper / Yachtmaster Offshore Shorebased Theory course?

It is an advanced RYA navigation and seamanship theory course, delivered in the classroom or online at RYA Recognised Training Centres. It covers chartwork, tides, collision regulations, meteorology, passage planning and safety, and ends in three invigilated written papers. It builds on Day Skipper theory and underpins the Coastal Skipper and Yachtmaster qualifications.

Is the theory exam multiple choice?

The course concludes in three invigilated written papers, typically Chartwork, Collision Regulations and a General/Passage Making paper, which require chartwork plotting and short written answers rather than pure multiple choice. Our 100 practice questions are written to drill the same syllabus knowledge in a quick multiple-choice format.

Does passing the theory make me a Yachtmaster?

No. The shorebased theory is a knowledge course. The Yachtmaster Coastal and Yachtmaster Offshore Certificates of Competence are awarded after separate practical assessments and oral exams with an RYA examiner; the theory provides the navigation knowledge those exams assume.

What chartwork is tested?

You must work estimated positions, courses to steer, three-point and running fixes, leeway and tidal vectors, plus tidal height calculations using the rule of twelfths, tidal curves and secondary-port corrections. Variation, deviation and compass-error conversions are core skills.

Which collision regulations should I know?

The IRPCS steering and sailing rules (head-on Rule 14, crossing Rule 15, sailing Rule 12, overtaking Rule 13, restricted visibility Rule 19), the lights and shapes (Rules 21-31), sound and fog signals (Rules 34-35), and IALA Region A buoyage are all examined.

How long does the course take?

The course is roughly 40-60 hours of study, often run as an intensive 6-day classroom course or spread over several weeks of online learning, before sitting the written papers. Day Skipper theory or equivalent knowledge is the recommended starting point.