Category A, A1 and D examinations
Practical examination
Category D (Sailing ships over 15m2 sail area)
A prerequisite for admission to the practical examination is passing the theory examination. Registration for the practical sailing examination is normally carried out by the robina.ch sailing school. The practical examination includes the maneuvers described under “Training program” as well as questions on general seamanship and the ship’s equipment. It lasts approx. 50 minutes per candidate and is carried out in a group of max. 3 candidates. If the wind is less than 2 Bf, there is a risk of icing (≤ 0°C) or a storm warning, the test will not be carried out and will be postponed free of charge. During the test, an unsuccessful maneuver may only be repeated once. If the second maneuver attempt is also unsuccessful or unsatisfactory from the expert’s point of view, the test is failed. However, the candidate may abort a maneuver that he feels will fail early enough, informing the expert, and repeat the maneuver. This also applies in particular if the wind shifts during a maneuver in such a way that it becomes impossible to perform the required maneuver. This aborted maneuver is then not considered a “completed” maneuver. The test normally begins at the ship’s location on the north pier in the port of Zurich-Wollishofen. The test area includes the lower Lake Zurich basin between Zurich Wollishofen and Zurich Tiefenbrunnen.
Category A (ships with engine drive over 16kW)
Category A1 (sailing ships with engine propulsion over 16kW)
A prerequisite for admission to the practical examination is passing the theory examination. Registration for the practical examination is normally carried out by the robina.ch sailing school. The practical examination comprises the maneuvers described under “Training program” as well as questions on general seamanship and lasts approx. 50 minutes. In the event of a storm warning and/or danger of icing (≤ 0°C), the test will not be carried out and will be postponed free of charge. During the test, an unsuccessful maneuver may only be repeated once. If the second maneuver attempt is also unsuccessful or unsatisfactory from the expert’s point of view, the test is failed. However, the candidate can abort a maneuver that he feels would fail early enough, informing the expert, and start again. This aborted maneuver is then not considered a “completed” maneuver. The test begins at the outer pier of the small harbor of the lake police in Tiefenbrunnen. The test area includes harbors and jetties in the Zurich-Tiefenbrunnen, -Riesbach, -Wollishofen or -Enge area.
Theory exam
All categories
The examination system is based on the multiple response method and is completed on the computer. As has been known for some time in road traffic category B, two correct answers are now also possible in shipping. The exam contains 60 questions, each with three answers, which must be answered within a maximum of 50 minutes. A maximum of 180 points with a maximum of 15 error points is possible.
Once you have passed the theory test, you will receive a test confirmation, which we can then use to register you for the practical test. The theory test is generally valid for 24 months. The theory test must be taken again if the applicant does not also pass the practical test within 24 months of passing the theory test.
The theoretical examination must normally be taken at the shipping inspection of the canton of residence. In exceptional cases (place of work in the city or canton of Zurich, weekly residents, etc.), however, the examination can also be taken at the Canton of Zurich Navigation Inspection Office in Oberrieden. This requires the approval of the shipping inspection of the canton of residence, which can be obtained with a corresponding application.
If you already have a valid Swiss boatmaster’s license (category A, A1, B or D), you do not need to take a new theory test. The minimum age for admission to the theoretical and practical examination is 14 years of age for category D and 18 years of age for category A and A1.