Practical basics
- Ability to correctly identify parts of the training boat
- Explain and check the minimum equipment
- Pre-departure checks
- Fire safety measures before setting off (safety check)
- Response to emergencies on the water
- Knot tying skills
- Regulations for shoreline zones, environmental protection, economic driving
- Traffic rules, signaling navigation knowledge/skills
- Proper mooring at the dock
- Handling of the engine, gears and trim devices
Basic Maneuvers
Sideways docking and undocking, proper accelerating and stopping on course, emergency stop, tight turns.
Simple course driving and navigation on open water
Compass and visual navigation to a fixed destination.
Mooring and casting off maneuver (port maneuvers)
Mooring and casting off at the pier: starboard and port (side) forwards and backwards. Explain and consider the effect of the rudder.
Berth: Drive forward and backward into a berth without touching poles, docks, or neighboring vessels.
Securing the boat
Proper use of important knots and their mooring lines at the examination pier.
Bow-Pole Maneuver
Precisely approach a freestanding pole with the bow of the motorboat, stop shortly before reaching the pole and maintain a stable position 5 seconds without drifting.
Rescue Maneuver: Man overboard
Retrieve a trown-over resue ring quickly and safely back onboard without running over or endangering the ring during the maneuver.
Anchor maneuver
Anchoring maneuver are not always tested, but at least discussed theoretically. The basics of anchoring should be verbally understood. During the driving training we practise anchoring once or twice.
Locating the position through simple cross-bearing
using a simple cross bearing (without considering the declination), determine the position on the lake.
The motorboat exam
Once all the maneuvers are mastered, it’s time for the exam…
You will take the practical exam together with the expert on our training boat. If you are not too nervous, everything will go well and all mandatory maneuvers will be completed in 50 to 60 minutes.
If you make a minor mistake during a maneuver, you will be allowed to correct it once. However, collisions, including touching the pole during docking in the berth and serious errors requiring intervention from the expert are direct reasons for exam termination and failure. The exam in harbor Litzi costs CHF 120.
After the exam… Congratulations on passing the motorboat driver’s licence!
Now it’s up to you to reinforce what you’ve learned and become a skilled captain. Cast off and set sail!