Leisure versus commercial training

Rod Carr suggests getting mileage "verified" by counter-signature of "an official". I think most of us would regard that as a throwback to what has often been perceived as arrogance on the part of the RYA (I can't stomach the description of it as "the national authority").
More cogently, his interesting point that failed yachtmasters have higher declared mileage than passers means either that failers are liars, or that failers have kept doing things wrong for a longer time.
The logical response one of his other points, which I accept and I expect most people with some experience do also accept - that its pretty clear who is competent - -is to ensure that the test is sufficiently long in time and varied in challenge; ie, quite a bit more than than it currently is.

Indeed, the difference between YM and YM/CE could just be the length (admittedly also therefore the cost) of the test...and if its less than force 4, its not valid, etc.

One other point - -I dont think its fair to compare YM in this day to 7yr apprenticeships, which were a way of getting cheap labour, were designed for people who could have been virtually illiterate and still passed and which acted as a significant barrier to modern technology (look at the UK's slow move in plumbing to plastic fittings, its antiquated tankage/hot water tanks etc etc). 6 months is plenty to learn all you need to be a good plumber. Therefore, let the young'uns get a commericail qual, get a great fun job and encourage their charges into the sport - not frighten them off with old mans crustiness.

What resonable 18-25 yr old woman and even bloke wants to hang out with a skipper who doesn't enjoy any of the things they do?

we all have to move over....time for me to do so!





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