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A Royal Navy helicopter pilot has passed his RYA Yachtmaster theory exam while on active duty in landlocked Afghanistan by studying during his time off from intense fighting on the battlefield. Lieutenant Gareth Plunkett, who is with the Commando Helicopter Force, enlisted the help of the forces chaplain and RYA Yachtmaster instructor Reverend John Morris, to help him with his studies. Although Lt. Plunkett was in Kandahar and Reverend Morris was in Kabul, the two men corresponded by email, and in the final days of his tour Lt. Plunkett flew to Kabul for two days of intensive revision, followed by the RYA Yachtmaster exam itself. Within a couple of hours Rev. Morris was able to inform Lt. Plunkett, who flies a ‘Jungly’ helicopter, which is similar to a Sea King, that he had passed the exam with flying colours and congratulated him on the achievement. Charles Jouning, who is an accredited RYA Yachtmaster instructor based in the proud sailing town of Lymington in Hampshire said: “This is an absolutely phenomenal achievement by a young man who undoubtedly has a lot of expectation and responsibility resting on his shoulders already." “The RYA Yachtmaster theory course is a demanding programme of learning to which candidates must devote a great deal of time and commitment in order to pass." “The fact that Lt. Plunkett has passed it during active service in Afghanistan is nothing short of remarkable and I take my hat off to him.” He added. Psychologist Alex Reeves said: “This story highlights how different people respond to stress in different ways." “It may be that: far from presenting added stress to Lt. Plunkett, studying toward his RYA Yachtmaster certificate in Afghanistan represented a welcome escape from the life or death realities of serving in a war zone” He added. The RYA Yachtmaster Preparation course is a practical training and revision exercise for the RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate of Competence. It involves advanced skippering techniques, close quarters handling under power and sail, navigation and pilotage by day and night, man overboard recovery and much more.. Check out Sea Jays' Solent Sailing School for a RYA Yachtmaster Course!
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