Swiss Boat Skipper Theory (Kat. A/D) study plan

State the hierarchy of navigation rules that applies on Swiss waters (COLREG as the international baseline, plus the inland-waterway rules of the Rhine and Swiss lakes) and name which rule set governs a given stretch of water

Recite the steering-and-sailing rules for head-on, crossing and overtaking encounters, and sketch the give-way/stand-on roles for each case on blank paper

Apply the narrow-channel, traffic-separation and right-of-way rules for passenger vessels, ferries and commercial traffic on Swiss lakes to five short written scenarios

Define safe speed and the risk-of-collision indicators (constant bearing, decreasing range) and list the conditions that force a reduction in speed

Resolve ten mixed collision scenarios that combine sound signals, restricted visibility and give-way obligations, writing the required action and the rule number for each

Draw the full set of navigation lights for power-driven vessels under way, sailing vessels, vessels at anchor and small craft, from memory, and label arc angles and colours

Match each day shape (ball, cone, cylinder, two cones point-to-point) to the vessel condition it signals

Identify the manoeuvring and warning sound signals (one short, two short, three short, five short, one prolonged) and state the correct response to each

List the internationally recognised distress signals and explain when each is appropriate

Classify lateral, cardinal, isolated-danger and special marks by colour, topmark and light rhythm, and state the safe side to pass

Interpret the common chart symbols for depths, drying areas, obstructions, anchorage areas, bridges and overhead cables on a Swiss lake or river chart extract

Explain the IALA region difference and confirm which system applies to the waters you will skipper

Tie and explain the use of the bowline, cleat hitch, round turn and two half hitches, figure-eight stopper and reef knot, each within 30 seconds

Coil, stow and heave a line safely, and describe how a spring line controls a boat alongside

Plan and describe, step by step, a departure from and return to a berth in crosswind, including which lines and which propeller effect you use

Explain the effect of propeller walk, windage and pivot point on low-speed handling for single- and twin-engine boats

Select an anchorage by bottom type, depth, shelter and swinging room, then calculate the scope needed for a rope and for a chain rode

Describe the anchor-setting procedure, how to verify the anchor is holding, and how to weigh anchor cleanly

Execute a simulated man-overboard recovery under power and state the sequence: shout, throw, spot, turn, approach, stop, recover

Assemble and inspect a complete safety kit for a small Swiss-registered motorboat and justify each item against the applicable equipment requirement

Demonstrate the correct use and fitting of life jackets and harnesses, and state the cold-water survival principles that shape the decision to stay with the boat

Describe fire prevention, extinguisher selection and the actions on a fuel or engine fire afloat

List the distress-alerting options available on Swiss waters and state which channel and procedure to use for a mayday and a pan-pan

Explain hypothermia, drowning and shock first aid priorities for a recovered MOB casualty

Read a synoptic chart and identify highs, lows, fronts and the wind and weather they bring to the Swiss plateau and lakes

Interpret the local wind systems that matter on Swiss lakes (föhn, bise, valley and slope winds, thunderstorm cells) and state the warning signs for each

Decode a marine or lake forecast and decide whether to sail, reef or stay ashore for three sample forecasts

Outline the Swiss licensing categories, the registration and insurance obligations for a pleasure craft, and the alcohol and conduct rules that apply at the helm

Summarise the environmental rules you must follow: waste water, fuel handling, invasive species, protected zones and speed limits near shore

Perform and document a pre-departure engine check: fuel, oil, coolant, belts, raw-water strainer, battery, propeller and exhaust telltale

Explain the four-stroke cycle, cooling and lubrication paths, and diagnose three common faults (overheating, won't start, fuel starvation) from symptoms

Describe battery care, charging, fusing and the risks of shore power and 12 V circuits on a damp boat

Plan a winter lay-up and spring commissioning sequence for engine and electrical systems

Rehearse a docking plan that accounts for a failed engine, and state the anchoring and line-handling fallback

Sit two full-length timed mock exams under exam conditions and score each against the pass mark

Re-teach your five weakest topics aloud in two minutes each, without notes, to expose remaining gaps

Re-drill the light, shape, sound and buoyage recognition items until error-free in a rapid-fire set

Rehearse the practical sequence for MOB, fire and abandon-ship decisions in a single continuous scenario

Confirm exam-day logistics: documents, identification, timing and route