The Marina Porto Antico staff has received several emails regarding the changes made to the nautical license exam for categories “A”, “B”, and “C”. With the new changes introduced by the decree published in August, the exam becomes easier and offers more choices to candidates, who can opt for a different path if they fail the tests. For example, “those who have passed the written test but have not passed the practical test – in the two allowed attempts – can retake only the practical test within 30 days without starting the process from the beginning.”
In the case of the unlimited nautical miles license, if candidates fail the chartwork test, they can “remedy” the situation and automatically apply for the license within 12 miles.
Regarding the sailing quiz, if candidates fail this test, they will have the option to simply request “obtaining the equivalent motor license” and thus continue the exam without obstacles.
There are also new provisions for disabled people and those with specific learning disabilities. They can “request the application of personalized compensatory measures for taking the exam tests.”
How the New Nautical License Exam Program Works
The study material for exam preparation is also less difficult, as only the main parts of the hull need to be known, while the section about minor breakdowns will only cover “those that can be handled with non-specialist intervention by the recreational boater”
Among the Colreg signals (Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea) to learn, “the main ones must be known ‘by heart,’ including those for recreational vessels and ships under and over 50 meters, anchored vessels, and fishing vessels.”
Regarding multiple-choice questions, these will be more focused on “maneuvering and handling,” with emphasis on verifying the candidate’s knowledge about “precautions to be taken when entering and leaving ports” and “navigation near the coast and swimmers,” as well as “speed limits and elements of marine environment protection.”
Now “the use of electronic instruments for positioning the ship’s location” is allowed. There are also changes to the exam admission procedure, which now requires
The exam includes 20 multiple-choice questions (with three possible answers), and to pass it, you need to answer correctly one less answer compared to the old exam method. A total of 16 correct answers are needed.
The Chartwork Test
Those who want to navigate beyond 12 nautical miles will face a new chartwork test. From now on, “the possibility of making one mistake is introduced.” Therefore, out of 4 questions, the candidate must provide at least 3 correct answers and will have one hour to do so.
For those seeking a license within 12 miles, there will no longer be a chartwork test, but rather a quiz aimed at verifying the candidate’s preparation regarding “chartwork elements.” Essentially, these are five general questions with open answers. Regarding nautical charts, to pass the exam, candidates must demonstrate adequate knowledge of reading cartography, either paper or electronic. As for the “Sailing Quiz,” this requires a minimum of 4 correct answers out of 5 single-answer questions presented to the candidate during the nautical license exam.
