Pilots Licence Syllabus and Exam Format
There are 3 pilots license categories in Bermuda as follows:
- ‘A’ Class: inside the reef line, West of Flatts Inlet
- ‘B’ Class: inside the outer reef line, East of Flatts inlet
- ‘C’ Class: anywhere withing the territorial waters of Bermuda. This includes both east and west areas and extends up to twelve miles out from the outer reef edge
The exams you need to take are
- Written test for all A/B/C Class licenses (multiple choice)
- Chartwork exam for C Class License
- An oral exam may be required, but is not common
- A boat handling test may be required, but is not common if you demonstrate experience in your application form and references
‘A’ and ‘B’ Class Examination Syllabus
| Section # | Name | Difficulty | # Questions (approx) | Passing Grade |
| 1 | Navigational Lights | Hard | 25 (West) 15 (East) 10 (Offshore) | 85% |
| 2 | Navigation & Deck General | Medium | 25 | 80% |
| 3 | Rules of the Road (SOLAS / COLREGs) | Hard | 30 | 90% |
| TOTAL | About 100 |
Section 1 – Navigational Lights
This is the largest section on the tests, with questions primarily on the flash patterns of the lighted navigational aids in Bermuda.
Marine and Ports provides lists containing the inshore and offshore lighted markers, all of which may show up on the test. Descriptions of the physical offshore / approach lights themselves are also on the test e.g. North Rock beacon is a black over yellow coloured glass reinforced plastic (G.R.P.) tower.
You will need local knowledge of the area concerned. This will concentrate on local aids to navigation and buoyage, and the ability to navigate a boat safely, during the day or night, through recognized ships’ and small boats’ channels.
To study for this section use the Navigational Aid Map to see the location, flash pattern, and physical description of every marker that may show up on the test. You can then use the Practice Exams to check your knowledge! These practice exams are in the same format to the real exams (multiple choice).
Section 2 – Navigation and Deck General
For this section see the “Resources” page under the Bermuda Marine License Guides menu above. It contains links to the relevant documents you need to review.
- VHF Operation – see the RCC Bermuda handbook
- Distress Signals (SOLAS) – available here
- Marine Board (Island Boat) Regulations 1965
- General boat handling and seamanship, safety practices and procedures.
Section 3 – Rules of the Road (SOLAS Collision Regulations)
This is the section that is failed the most on the test. The questions are very specific and you need to have a strong understanding of the SOLAS requirements and COLREGs for this section. There are lots of questions on right of way, distress signals, horns, whistle signals, and required lights in particular. You will only be questioned on lights and signals likely to be found in Bermuda waters.
Use the link above under Section 2 or on the Resources page to find a copy of the SOLAS Regulations.
‘C’ Class Examination
For the C Class License you must pass the A & B sections above and also take the C class multiple choice and chartwork exams at the same time.
For the C Class License, it is highly recommended to read “The Bermuda Boater” by Ralph Richardson from front to back. It contains everything you need to pass the C Class compass and chartwork exam sections in particular.
| Section # | Name | Difficulty | # Questions (approx) | Passing Grade (est) |
| 1 | Navigational Lights | Hard | 25 (West) 15 (East) 10 (Offshore) | 85% |
| 2 | Navigation & Deck General | Medium | 25 | 80% |
| 3 | Rules of the Road (SOLAS / COLREGs) | Hard | 30 | 90% |
| 4 | Compass & Charts | Medium | 30 | 90% |
| 5 | Chartwork | Medium | On Map (332?) | 100% |
| | TOTAL | | 80 to 115 | |
Section 4 – Compass and Charts
This section is best studied for by reading Chapter 3 “The Magnetic Compass” in “The Bermuda Boater.” Questions on the test will include:
- Magnetic Compass – deviation and variation
- Compass corrections – convert true to compass, convert compass to true
- Points on a compass – Northeast is 45 degrees etc
Section 5 – Chartwork
This section requires you to complete 3 different exercises on a physical map. For this you will need to have practiced on a full marine chart with parallel rules, and compass, etc. On the test you will be asked to calculate position on marine map using a variety of methods, using a pencil and ruler etc.
Chapters 4 to 8 of “The Bermuda Boater” contain all the info you need for this section:
- Transit bearing position
- Cross bearing positions
- Running Fix
- Course Plot from point A to Point B safely with both compass and true directions/runtimes at a known speed
On the test, there are 3 questions where you are given a starting point and time and your end point and time. You are asked to calculate your bearing, speed, and distance travelled by marking the positions on a map and using that to figure out the answers.
There are 6 questions on converting compass to true direction and vice versa.
There are also a couple questions on steering with leeway, for example if you want to go due south but decide to alter your course 15 degrees to the east to counter a strong easterly wind, you need to steer at 165 degrees.