Most online courses courses do not require invigilation, the assessment is included within the course. There are a few exceptions detailed below;

Invigilation of the online RYA Day Skipper Shorebased
The Day Skipper Shorebased Course has two assessment papers which the vast majority of students do not require invigilation for. If you are taking the course for leisure purposes, to charter or as a stepping stone towards Yachtmaster Offshore then you do not require invigilation. Invigilation is therefore optional.
If however you intend to also complete a Day Skipper Practical course and commercially endorse it (you would also require; SRC, PPR, First Aid, Sea Survival and a Seafarers medical), then a non invigilated Day Skipper Shorebased Certificate will restrict you to operating commercially in area 6 (i.e. up to 3 miles from a nominated departure point, where as an invigilated certificate, (and 12 months relevant experience) would allow you to operate in area 5 (i.e. up to 20 miles from a nominated departure point).
If you require invigilation then scroll down for details and fees.
Invigilation of Online Coastal Skipper & Yachtmaster Shorebased
The RYA Yachtmaster Offshore Shorebased Course has four assessment papers which the vast majority of students do not require invigilation for. If you are taking the course for leisure purposes or as a stepping stone towards, Coastal Skipper Practical, Yachtmaster Coastal or Offshore Certificate of Competence then you do not require invalidation, even if you intend to operate commercially.
If however you intend to use the Yachtmaster Offshore shorebased certificate as a pre entry requirement to enter MCA large yacht qualifications such as Officer of the Watch or Master 200 then, the four assessment papers must be invigilated. If you require invigilation then scroll down for details and fees.
Invigilation of Online RYA Ocean Yachtmaster
The RYA Ocean Yachtmaster Shorebased Course has one assessment paper which some students do not require invigilation for. Please refer to the table below
Reason for taking the Ocean Yachtmaster Shorebased Course |
Invigilation |
I am taking the course for fun/ and/or for my own interest | Invigilation not required |
I intend to use the knowledge for leisure sailing | Invigilation not required |
I intend to use this course as a pre requisite for the RYA/MCA Ocean Yachtmaster Certificate of Competence Exam | Invigilation required by an RYA Instructor, otherwise you will be required to complete a written exam at the time of your Ocean Yachtmaster Certificate of Competence Oral Exam |
I intend to use this certificate as a pre requisite for the MCA Master 200 (unlimited) Certificate of Competence | Invigilation required by an RYA Instructor |
I intend to become a STCW Chief Mate (and possibly Master 500/3000) | Invigilation required by an RYA Instructor |

Invigilation
I arranged my RYA online navigation course through Chieftain Training
You can take the assessment at our centre in Southampton and as one of our customers we will reduce the fees below by 25%.
If Southampton is not convenient then we can arrange for a freelance RYA Instructor elsewhere to invigilate you. We have an extensive network of RYA Instructors throughout the UK and the rest of the world, however their fees may vary by region.
I arranged my RYA online navigation course through another provider
We are happy to invigilate your assessment papers at our centre in Southampton, even if you booked and completed the course through another provider. You can simply book with us and then tell the centre running your course you are taking the assessment with us. The following fees will apply;
RYA Day Skipper Shorebased
- 2 Papers, £135
- General paper (1.5 hours)
- Chartwork paper (1.5 hours)
RYA Ocean Yachtmaster Shorebased
- 1 paper, £90
- Nav, Met. & Passage Planning (2 hours)
RYA Yachtmaster Offshore Shorebased
- 4 papers, £270
- IRPCS Paper (1.5 hours)
- Chartwork Paper (2 hours)
- Passage Making A- Appraise & Plan (1.5 hours)*
- Passage making B- Execute & Monitor (2 hours)*
In our experience is is not realistic for a candidate to complete all four Yachtmaster Offshore papers back to back in one day. We therefore advise you take one at a time, or at least spread the papers over two days. It is usual to pass the chartwork paper and IRPCS papers before progressing onto the two passage planning papers.
* Be aware there is an open book passage planning appraisal (not invigilated) to complete before you attempt the two passage planning exams.
SRC Exams
If you have completed the SRC course online with us or any other provider then we are happy to carry out your SRC exam at our classroom in Southampton. The fee for this is set by the RYA at £70. If you arranged your online course through another provider they will have to post us a form which was originally included in your course fee.

If you are taking an online course, not detailed above then invigilation is not required.