PER syllabus: the 11 exam topics

The theory exam has 45 multiple-choice questions in Spanish from the 11 topics and lasts 90 minutes. You pass with 32 correct answers and within the mistake limits of the must-pass topics.

1. 1Nautical terminology

   4 questions in the exam

   • The hull and orientation on board
   • Waterline and bilge pumping
   • Deck and openings
   • From keel to gunwale
   • Frames, beams and bulkheads
   • The windlass and the anchor
   • Anchoring and weighing anchor
   • Parts of a rope
   • The rudder
   • The propeller
   • The boat’s dimensions
   • Trim and heel
   • Afloat and in the wind
   Study topic 1

2. 2Mooring and anchoring equipment

   2 questions in the exam

   • Mooring fittings
   • Rope and knots
   • Where and how to anchor
   • At anchor: swinging, dragging and the buoy rope
   • Rope and chain commands
   • Mooring to the quay
   • Propeller, way and apparent wind
   • Wind, current and berthing
   Study topic 2

3. 3Safety at sea

   4 questions in the exam

   • The boat’s stability
   • Rolling and synchronism in rough seas
   • Preparing the boat and bad-weather measures
   • Sails and storms: heaving to or running
   • Thunderstorms, fog, night and shallow water
   • Life-saving equipment, signals and radar reflector
   • Fire extinguishers and classes of fire
   • Man overboard
   • The survivor on board
   • Towing and assisting another boat
   Study topic 3

4. 4Legislation

   2 questions in the exam

   • Boat papers and port rules
   • Flags on board: divers and the national flag
   • Beaches, coast and divers
   • Sewage: the toilet and the holding tank
   • Sewage: where to discharge
   • Garbage and MARPOL
   • Protecting the sea and rendering assistance
   Study topic 4

5. 5Buoyage

   5 questions in the examMust-pass · max. 2 mistakes

   • The channel by day: lateral and preferred channel marks
   • Cardinal marks by day
   • Isolated dangers and new dangers
   • Safe water marks and special marks
   • Coloured lights
   • Cardinal mark lights
   • White lights: isolated danger and safe water
   Study topic 5

6. 6Collision regulations (COLREGs)

   10 questions in the examMust-pass · max. 5 mistakes

   • Who’s who?
   • Look-out, speed and risk
   • Traffic separation schemes and responsibilities between vessels
   • Who gives way?
   • Navigation lights
   • Sailing vessels, towing and restricted ability to manoeuvre
   • Fishing and pilot vessels, not under command, at anchor and aground
   • Whistle signals in sight of one another
   • Narrow channel: navigating, overtaking and sound signals
   • Fog: vessels underway
   • Distress signals
   Study topic 6

7. 7Manoeuvres and boat handling

   2 questions in the exam

   • Skipper’s orders and making fast
   • Mooring lines and berthing in wind
   • Steering, way and turning circle
   • The propeller when manoeuvring and turning short round
   • Unberthing, rafting up and picking up a buoy
   Study topic 7

8. 8Emergencies at sea

   3 questions in the exam

   • Knocks, wounds and bleeding
   • Burns, sun and seasickness
   • Radio medical consultation
   • Grounding and collision
   • Leaks: risk points and plugging
   • Fire risks and first response
   • The fire tetrahedron
   • Extinguishing methods and extinguishing media
   • Fire classes and extinguishers
   • Abandoning ship and survival
   Study topic 8

9. 9Meteorology

   4 questions in the exam

   • Pressure, temperature and their instruments
   • Depressions and anticyclones
   • Wind strength: how it changes and how it is measured
   • Where the wind blows from: breezes and apparent wind
   • The forecast and the sea state
   Study topic 9

10. 10Navigation theory

    5 questions in the exam

    • The Earth’s sphere and the Mercator chart
    • Charts and nautical publications
    • Soundings, depth contours and the seabed
    • Recognising the coast
    • Coordinates, miles and knots
    • The magnetic compass
    • Variation, deviation and courses
    • Course, bearing and relative bearing
    • Lines of position
    • Tides and currents
    Study topic 10

11. 11Chartwork

    4 questions in the examMust-pass · max. 2 mistakes

    • Coordinates, distances and true course
    • Compass error and compass course from one point to another
    • Bearings, transits and oppositions
    • Compass course and relative bearings
    • Time, estimated time of arrival and dead reckoning
    • Fix
    • Tide tables (Anuario de Mareas)
    • Tide in port and depth
    Study topic 11

Questions about the syllabus