Not sure whether this should be here or in Transport....

OH and I both hold the Yachtmaster Offshore certificate with commercial endorsement and are both RYA Cruising Instructors. However we did the qualifications after we moved to Switzerland. Before I pick up a phone, I wondered if anyone knows if there is any way of getting our qualifications credited for the practical part of the D-Schein exam and only take the theory part (for the local regs) to get the Swiss ticket? Seems a bit silly to be able to be paid to sail up to 150 nm from a safe haven anywhere in the world and to teach up to Day Skipper yet not be allowed to sail on the Swiss ponds...

Since when has THAT made any difference to the regulations here

(Don't know the answer....sorry!)

You could have a look at this old Thread, written by a soul-mate of yours- though I'm not sure if it has any info in which will help.

(I remembered it as someone groaned me for one of my comments! )

Well, quite. If we can't get credit for the practical part, it can only be a revenue thing as a dayskipper obtained before moving to CH can be chopped in just like a driving licence, without even the theory exam for the local regs. Guess I'm going to have to make a phone call after all

Go to the SAN and see if you can get a Swiss Permis D in exchange for your external qualifications.

Otherwise, It only costs 40chf for the theory test and 200 for the practical test.

Um, do you speak German?

I wouldn't even bother! sailing in Switzerland is very dull unless you like spending all day trying to get to the other side of the lake.

I hate to say it but I still like sitting in the boat.
Unless it doesn't move at all.

Yes, we speak fluent German. Don't really want to lose our YM tickets with the commercial endorsement and cruising instructor - far more valuable than a D Schein! - so I don't really want to be exchanging, just have the practical part credited (would want to do the theory anyway as the local regs seem to have little to do with the international colregs!)

I suppose this is always an option and then blag trips out with people who do have the D-Schein (any opportunity to get on the water). Bit embarrassing, though, if you're far more qualified than them

I don't mean to be negative, but after sailing on the ocean as you have the lakes here just don't cut it. I crew part time on a Sigma 38 in the Uk. If you plan your events well ahead it's not to exspensive to fly back for the weekend. At least you know you will get a decent breeze.

Mind you, you could always try the Urnersee in a Föhn storm.

I am sorry, I was not clear.

I didn't mean that you would be "trading" one set of qualifications for another.
I still have my USA license even thought I can't use it in CH. It will work everywhere else in the world.

I popped into the Schiffskontrolle today and this is the situation from the horse's mouth: they say it is purely a political thing, but CH only has reciprocal recognition agreements with the surrounding countries, not the UK. Hence even with almost the highest possible RYA qualifications, you still need to do both theory and practical exams. However, no need to go through a school or take lessons providing you can find a boat to use (borrow from a friend etc). I guess one might also be able to talk to a school if you have no friendly boatowner willing to lend you his pride and joy, and see if they'll let you hire a boat for the exam (which I presume they'd only do after charging you for an hour out with them to check you can do what you say you can?)

Thanks for coming back with the information. Could you let us know how things go? - I'm sure we'll have other folk asking the same questions at some time or other.

Well, that's got all the YMO/MCAs quivering in their Mustos, wishing they were back and safe in mid-Atlantic

I didn't mean the Urnersee was REAL water with REAL waves, but they have a special harbour for the 'Kursschiffe' for use when the Föhn is blowing so I suppose it would at least be preferable to the Hallwilersee or the Zürisee.

Well they accepted my RYA qualification for the motorboat practical - just had to sit the theory, (and do the sailing practical test as although a sailor I never took a test in UK). But I believe it has to be from before you came to Switzerland. You can also take another person with you for the sailing test nominally as crew for genoa sheet. It doesnt matter if they do other things as well - reefing etc as long as you are in control and tell them what to do. When it became clear I had been sailing all my life, my examiner was somewhat embarrassed about having to test me and apologised....
Tip: when you get the yellow card to book a test from the ZSV ask for an english speaking examiner in case you don't know all the technical sailing terms in German.

I think that is the case - but I suppose it might also be worth checking with the Zürcher Seglerverband who run the practical exams? They might conceivably take one look at a commercial YM ticket with cruising instructor and pass you on the spot!

Oh and beware the confusing questions/answer scheme.
Like Which boat has priority? A B or C
then you think correctly B - but they make the answers like
A) C
B) A
C) B
So you would have to mark C on the answer paper for Boat B being the right answer. Caught me out for one question - I was just thinking B is right and just marked B on the answer paper... Grrr.

Absolutely.
It is necessary to consult with the gentlemen that actually give the practicals as they are the final arbiters of everything.

If for some reason you don't feel you can deal with the theory in German, you can take it in English. Of course, it will cost you more money but the Theory test is available in English, German, Italian, French and I think Romansch, but only in Bern. If you need this option ask and I can explain it further.

Good Luck.

BTW, what do you know about sailing in the Med?
Thanks.