Top Yachtmaster

HRH The Princess Royal presented the award at London Boat Show last week

RYA President HRH The Princess Royal presented the prestigious RYA Yachtmaster of the Year award on Wednesday 12 January on the RYA Stand at the Schroders London International Boat Show. Andrew Wood, 31, from Penzance accepted his award after impressing his examiner with his capabilities proven during his exam.

James Stevens, RYA Training Manager, commented: "He was an outstanding and truly exceptional candidate in every respect. He has not only sailed as skipper from the UK to New Zealand in his 42ft steel cutter, but on the return trip went from NZ to Alaska and through the Northwest passage to Greenland and home."

Andrew’s examiner Michael Stratton said, "Andrew is one of the most competent seafarers I have ever examined for the RYA Yachtmaster®. His seamanship and navigation is outstanding, exceeded only by his modesty."

With four short-listed candidates from the UK and Russia, this year’s entrants reflect the worldwide popularity of the RYA Training schemes. The Yachtmaster of the Year award is given to those that have excelled when completing their practical exam.

The Yachtmaster qualification is one of the most highly respected and recognised in the world. At the pinnacle of RYA Training, a Yachtmaster is a yachtsman or woman who has the knowledge and competence to skipper a motor or sailing yacht on coastal and cross-Channel passages. A Yachtmaster must be able to cope with normal conditions and also demanding situations. The RYA Yachtmaster qualification is the ultimate aim for most recreational boaters who want to demonstrate their all-round skills and competence as a skipper. It is also required by most commercial yacht skippers on sailing and motor vessels.

James Stevens, RYA Training Manager and Chief Examiner said, "the RYA examined 2,257 Yachtmasters last year and all our examiners were invited to nominate their best candidates. The knowledge and ability of this year's winner to take charge of a yacht was outstanding and judged to be the best of 2004."