Skipper's license

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A boat driver's license is in Switzerland a formal qualifications and credentials for leading sports boats. A driving license is required on the Swiss lakes if the sail area is 15 m² or more or an engine power of 6  kW (8  HP ) is used . On Lake Constance , this applies from a sail area of ​​12 m² or an engine output of 4.4 kW (6 HP).

There are two main categories: driving licenses for inland waters and driving licenses for high seas . They are the Swiss equivalent of the German sport boat license , the Austrian certificate of proficiency and the English yacht master .

Every ship must have a responsible skipper . The skipper is considered to be whoever is in command on board . He is responsible for compliance with the law and the safety of people on board and the material. All persons on board have to follow his instructions as far as they relate to the ship's command or safety. However, he does not have to steer the ship himself or command the maneuvers - this requirement would be impossible to implement, especially on ocean cruises, as the skipper has to sleep at some point. The extent to which he is responsible for driving errors made by his crew depends on their level of training.

The regulations for obtaining a skipper's license are set out in the Inland Navigation Ordinance.

Inland waters

In Switzerland there is an inland permit for the following categories:

category
A. Engine-powered ships that are not Cat. B or C. This ID permits the use of motor boats with an engine output of more than 6 kW (Lake Constance 4.4 kW). This certificate can be purchased from the age of 18 and also allows commercial passenger transport for up to 12 passengers.
B. Passenger ships
C. Machine-propelled cargo ships, push boats, tugs
D. Sailing ships with a sail area of ​​more than 15 m² (Bodensee 12 m²). The minimum age is 14 years.
E. Ships of special construction that are not cat. A to D.

With the category A pass, a sailing ship may be driven under engine. A driver's license of "Category A limited to sailing ships" can be acquired in order to operate sailing ships with auxiliary engines over 6 kW.

The cantonal shipping offices are responsible for carrying out the tests and issuing driving licenses.

Theoretical exam

The theoretical test is identical for sailing and motor ships. It is carried out using a multiple-choice procedure (60 questions from a catalog of around 300, 45 answers must be correct). The practical skipper test of the desired category can only be taken after passing the theory test. Practical training trips are not affected by this, however, as basically anyone can steer a ship, provided that a skipper with sufficient qualification is on board and there are no obstacles (e.g. consumption of alcohol).

Practical exam (sailing ships)

The inland license for sailing ships (Cat. D) is required from a sail area of ​​15 m² (Lake Constance 12 m²). The practical test is usually taken by two candidates at the same time and includes the following maneuvers on a sailing yacht (without the use of an engine):

  • Seamanship (includes e.g. knots, knowledge of the ship, etc.)
  • Safety on board (includes e.g. fire fighting, water in the ship, etc.)
  • make clear / put down
  • sailing, includes u. a.

During the exam, one of the candidates acts as the helmsman and skipper and the other as the crew and helper. The roles are swapped during the exam.

It is also possible to take the test for "Category A restricted to sailing ships". This allows sailing ships with engines over 6 kW to be operated. For this purpose, mooring and casting off maneuvers with a sailing ship under machine are checked (see motor boats below).

If the exam is not passed, only the unsatisfactory part has to be repeated. Clear reasons for failing are, for example, a collision, causing a patent jibe or driving over the training buoy during man-over-board maneuvers.

Practical exam (motor boats)

The skill test includes the following maneuvers on a motorboat
  • Lay down
  • Starboard landing
  • Port landing
  • Rw / Sw landing
  • Man overboard maneuvers
  • Pit driving forward
  • Pit driving backwards
  • Bow landing
  • Maneuvering in tight spaces
  • Driving in ports
  • Anchor maneuvers
  • Driving on different courses
  • Overall impression
Furthermore, the knowledge of the following areas is tested
  • Occupy the ship at the jetty
  • Weather assessment
  • Course determination
  • Location determination
  • Knowledge of the ship
  • Fire fighting
  • Water in the ship
  • Put the ship on the ground
  • Machine failure
  • Rudder failure
  • What to do in the event of an accident
  • First aid
  • Measures in the event of an average

The maneuver is considered passed if none of the following errors have been made. In the case of moderate errors, the maneuver may be repeated once.

Moderate errors
  • Storage without starting the engine
  • Impact on footbridges, posts
  • Excessive stress on the engine during maneuvers
  • Visibility to the man in the water (or the practice buoy) lost, too much time expended
  • Failure to turn off the engine or park on rivers
  • Wrong assessment of wind and current
  • Incorrect operation of controls and gears
  • Missing looks aft
  • Disregard of traffic regulations
  • Knowledge of ship safety
  • Seamanship
Serious mistakes
  • Gross violation of elementary traffic rules and / or violation of the duty of care
  • Severe collisions with the dock, ships, etc.
  • Damage to your own ship or other ships or any kind of equipment
  • Intervention by the examiner in an emergency
  • Leaving the control stand with the drive switched on
  • Failure to perform a task / termination by the candidate
  • Significant hindrance to ships authorized to enter
  • Recovery of the practice buoy with the drive switched on
  • Blatant disregard for the maximum speed
  • Endangering people
  • Reckless behavior

Sea pass

The high sea pass is the prerequisite for driving sport and pleasure boats in coastal waters and on the high seas. It is exhibited in the two categories “sailing ships with or without machine propulsion” and “motor ships”. To do this, the following requirements must be met:

  • passed theory test
  • Cantonal skipper's license ("Binnen-Schein") or equivalent ID
  • Max. 6 year old emergency helper card
  • Eye test
  • Hearing test
  • Proof of voyage or practice at sea

Until March 31, 2007, an unofficial deep sea license with the same requirements was issued. The now official ocean pass is also the “ International Certificate for Operators of Pleasure Craft ”. The high seas pass is valid for an unlimited period of time and geographically on sport and pleasure boats for navigation in coastal waters and on the high seas.

Theoretical exam

The theoretical high-sea pass exam is carried out by maritime schools recognized by the Swiss Maritime Administration. The Cruising Club of Switzerland (CCS) and the Swiss Yachting Association (SYA) are currently authorized to take exams. Various sailing schools offer training courses that prepare you for the exam at the CCS or the SYA.

The exam covers the following areas:

  • Card tasks

The exam is written for the tide and chart navigation tasks and for the other subjects in multiple choice . The seven-hour exam is i. d. Usually completed in two parts, each 3.5 hours in the morning and in the afternoon. For each examination subject, at least 75% of the answers must be correct; a failed partial examination can be repeated within one year.

Practical evidence

In order to acquire the Hochseeausweis (HSA), proof of practical experience must be provided in addition to a demanding theoretical examination. The achievements to be verified must take place within 4 years before and after the theoretical examination.

For the issue of a sailing license, proof of at least 1000 nautical miles is required, of which at least 700 must be completed after passing the theory test. The minimum duration is 3 weeks, of which at least 18 days must have been spent at sea. Proof of at least 500 nautical miles (400 after passing the theory test) is required for issuing the motorboat license; at least 10 days of 2 weeks of voyage must have been at sea. All nautical miles must be completed on ocean-going yachts.

To supplement an existing sailing or motorboat license with the other category, only a reduced practical proof of the additional category to be acquired must be provided.

Switzerland does not have an actual practical test for ocean-going vessels, on the one hand that would be impractical because Switzerland, being a landlocked country, could not easily designate a place for such a test, and on the other hand, an internal pass must be presented for the ocean-going pass. A detailed practical test is required for this, which is, however, taken on smaller boats rather than on the high seas.

The nautical miles completed and the knowledge acquired at sea must be clearly and comprehensibly documented in the personal voyage and performance record and must be approved by the skipper and HSA candidate.

See also

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. Examination report of the skipper Cat. A of the Road Traffic Office of the Canton of Zurich. The form will be given when you take an exam.