Free Practice Questions for Patente Nautica Categoria B

Exam-style questions and explanations by OpenExamPrep.

✓ No registration✓ No credit card

100+ Questions

100% Free

Loading practice questions...

Same family resources

Explore More Italian Boating Licence Examinations (Patente Nautica — MIT / Guardia Costiera)

Continue into nearby exams from the same family. Each card keeps practice questions, study guides, flashcards, videos, and articles in one place.

Exam Review

Key Facts: Patente Nautica Categoria B Exam

> 24 m

Hull Length of the Navi da Diporto Commanded Under Category B

D.Lgs. 18 luglio 2005, n. 171, art. 3

3 years

Required Possession of the Category A Licence Without Limits

Guardia Costiera, Ammissione all'esame per la patente nautica

90 minutes

Maximum Time to Hand In the Written Navigation Paper

D.M. 10 agosto 2021, n. 323, art. 8

EUR 194.65

Examination Fee for Category B, Plus Two EUR 16.00 Stamps

Guardia Costiera, Ammissione all'esame per la patente nautica

24 m

Minimum Length of the Vessel Used for the Practical Test (20 m If None Available)

D.M. 10 agosto 2021, n. 323, art. 9

Italy's Category B licence commands pleasure vessels over 24 metres and requires three years' possession of the Category A licence without limits. It is examined by a 90-minute written navigation paper including an anti-collision kinematics problem, an oral interrogation and a practical test at sea. This bank is independent English-language MCQ study, not a format simulation.

Sample Patente Nautica Categoria B Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the Patente Nautica Categoria B exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Which motion of the Earth produces the alternation of day and night, and which produces the seasons?

A.Rotation about its axis produces day and night; revolution about the Sun, combined with the inclination of the axis, produces the seasons.

B.Revolution about the Sun produces day and night; rotation produces the seasons.

C.Both are produced by the precession of the equinoxes.

D.Both are produced by the Moon's orbit about the Earth.

Explanation: The Earth turns on its own axis once in about twenty-four hours, which brings each meridian in turn under the Sun and so produces day and night. It also travels round the Sun once a year with its axis inclined at about 23.5 degrees to the plane of that orbit, so that first one hemisphere and then the other is presented more directly to the Sun: that inclination, not the varying distance from the Sun, is what produces the seasons.

2At which phases of the Moon do spring tides (maree sizigiali) occur, and why?

A.At first and last quarter, because the Sun and Moon pull at right angles.

B.At new and full Moon, because the Sun and the Moon are aligned with the Earth so their tide-raising forces add together.

C.Only at full Moon, because the Moon is then closest to the Earth.

D.At no particular phase, because tides depend only on the wind.

Explanation: The tide-raising force of the Moon is about twice that of the Sun. At new and full Moon the three bodies lie roughly in line, the two forces act together and the range between high and low water is at its greatest: these are the spring tides, in Italian maree sizigiali. At first and last quarter the Sun and Moon pull at right angles, the forces partly cancel and the range is least: these are the neap tides, maree di quadratura.

3On an Italian nautical chart the value Zo is printed. What does it represent and when is it needed?

A.The declination of the compass, needed to convert magnetic to true.

B.The separation between the sounding reduction level and mean sea level, needed when a height of tide has to be referred to the charted depth.

C.The zone time of the area covered by the chart.

D.The scale error of the chart at its mean latitude.

Explanation: Charted depths are reduced to the livello di riduzione degli scandagli, which lies below mean sea level, while charted heights of lights and landmarks are referred to mean sea level. Zo is the difference between those two references at the place concerned, that is the semi-range of the tide, and it is needed whenever a level read against mean sea level has to be related to a charted sounding, or when working out the depth actually available at a given state of the tide.

4What is the difference between a tidal stream and a current in navigation?

A.They are the same thing under two different names.

B.A tidal stream is the horizontal movement of water produced by the tide and reverses periodically; a current is a more persistent flow produced by other causes such as wind, density differences or general circulation.

C.A tidal stream flows only in rivers, a current only at sea.

D.A tidal stream is measured in knots, a current in metres per second, and they are otherwise identical.

Explanation: The tide is a vertical rise and fall; the horizontal movement of water that accompanies it is the tidal stream, which reverses with the tide and can be predicted from tables. A current in the navigational sense is a more persistent horizontal flow arising from the wind, from differences of density and salinity, or from the general circulation of the sea. Both are treated the same way in chartwork, as a vector to be combined with the boat's movement through the water.

5What is magnetic variation (declinazione magnetica), and where is its value for a given area found?

A.The angle between true north and magnetic north, read from the chart's compass rose together with its annual change.

B.The error caused by iron in the ship, read from the deviation table.

C.The angle between the fore-and-aft line and the direction of the wind.

D.The difference between gyro north and true north.

Explanation: Variation is the angle between the geographic and the magnetic meridian at a place. It differs from one part of the world to another and changes slowly with time, so the chart prints it in the compass rose for a stated year together with an annual increase or decrease, and the navigator brings it up to the current year before using it. It is named East or West according to whether magnetic north lies to the right or the left of true north.

6Why does compass deviation change when the ship alters heading?

A.Because the Earth's magnetic field is stronger on some headings than on others.

B.Because the ship's own magnetic field is fixed relative to the hull, so as the hull turns its field takes up a different angle to the Earth's field.

C.Because the compass card is mechanically unbalanced.

D.Because variation changes with the heading.

Explanation: Deviation is caused by the magnetism of the ship herself, in the permanent magnetism of her steel and in the soft iron that takes up induced magnetism from the Earth's field. That shipborne field is fixed relative to the hull, so as the hull swings, its direction relative to the Earth's field changes and the resultant acting on the compass needle changes with it. This is why deviation is tabulated heading by heading in a deviation table rather than given as a single figure.

7What is the purpose of compensating a magnetic compass, and what is produced at the end of the operation?

A.To magnetise the card more strongly, producing a faster settling time.

B.To reduce the ship's magnetic effect on the compass with corrector magnets and soft iron, and then to produce a table of the residual deviations heading by heading.

C.To align the lubber line with the keel, producing a certificate of alignment.

D.To eliminate variation, producing a chart correction.

Explanation: Compensation is carried out by a qualified compass adjuster, who places permanent corrector magnets and soft-iron correctors around the binnacle so as to cancel as much of the ship's field as possible. What cannot be cancelled remains as residual deviation, and the ship is then swung through a series of headings and the residual values are recorded in the tabella delle deviazioni residue, which is kept with the compass and used in every conversion between compass and true.

8A ship steers a compass heading of 200 degrees. Variation is 3 degrees West and deviation for that heading is 2 degrees East. What is the true heading?

A.205 degrees

B.199 degrees

C.201 degrees

D.195 degrees

Explanation: True equals compass plus the algebraic sum of deviation and variation, taking East as positive and West as negative. Here deviation is plus 2 and variation minus 3, so the total correction is minus 1 degree, and 200 minus 1 gives a true heading of 199 degrees. Working in the opposite direction, from true to compass, the same total is applied with the sign reversed.

9What is a bearing repeater or azimuth circle (cerchio azimutale) used for on the bridge?

A.To measure the depth of water beneath the keel.

B.To take accurate bearings of terrestrial objects and of celestial bodies for position fixing and for checking compass error.

C.To measure the ship's speed through the water.

D.To steer the ship when the autopilot fails.

Explanation: An azimuth circle fitted over the compass bowl, or a repeater sited with a clear all-round view, allows the observer to sight an object across the compass card and read its bearing directly. Bearings taken in this way give position lines for fixing the ship, and a bearing of an object of known true bearing, such as a transit ashore, gives the total compass error and hence a check on the deviation table.

10How are latitude and longitude defined?

A.Latitude is measured from the Greenwich meridian, longitude from the Equator.

B.Latitude is the arc of meridian from the Equator to the place, measured 0 to 90 degrees north or south; longitude is the arc of Equator from the Greenwich meridian to the meridian of the place, measured 0 to 180 degrees east or west.

C.Both are measured from the nearest pole.

D.Latitude is measured in nautical miles and longitude in degrees.

Explanation: Latitude is counted along the meridian of the place from the Equator, north or south, up to 90 degrees at the poles; longitude is counted along the Equator from the meridian of Greenwich, east or west, up to 180 degrees. One minute of latitude corresponds to one nautical mile, which is why distance is measured on the latitude scale, whereas a minute of longitude shortens with the cosine of the latitude and cannot be used for distance.

About the Patente Nautica Categoria B Exam

The Patente Nautica di categoria B authorises command of navi da diporto, that is pleasure vessels with a hull of more than 24 metres. It can be sat only by candidates who have held a Category A licence for navigation without any limit from the coast for at least three years. The programme in Allegato B to D.M. 10 agosto 2021, n. 323 runs from ship stability and subdivision, shiphandling and propulsion, through magnetism and compasses, charts and coastal navigation, radar and navigational kinematics, to meteorology, the collision regulations, Italian pleasure-boating and safety law, radio procedures and the protection of the marine environment. The theory test is a written navigation paper including an anti-collision kinematics problem, handed in within ninety minutes, followed by an oral interrogation, and a practical test at sea completes the examination. OpenExamPrep provides an independent 100-question English-language practice bank across this programme.

Exam sponsor: Capitaneria di Porto / Guardia Costiera. The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Assessment

Theory test under article 8 of D.M. 323/2021: a written paper based on the topics of the 2nd group of the programme and including the practical solution of an anti-collision navigational-kinematics problem, to be handed in within 90 minutes, followed by an oral interrogation over the programme. Practical test under article 9: held at sea on a nave da diporto or traffic unit of not less than 24 metres, or where none is available on a unit of not less than 20 metres, carrying safety equipment to at least the standard for navigation within 50 miles; on board must be the candidate, the examining commission and a person who has held a Category B licence for at least three years and who retains command. The candidate handles the vessel on different points over legs of at least half a mile, recovers a man overboard, moors and unmoors, uses the equipment on board correctly, demonstrates competence with the life-saving and fire-fighting appliances, and shows the preparations needed for bad weather.

Time Limit

90 minutes maximum for the written paper; the oral interrogation and the practical test at sea have no published fixed duration

Passing Score

No numeric pass mark is published. The examination is passed on a favourable outcome of both the theory test and the practical test; the practical result is declared publicly at the end of the test

Exam / Certification Fees

EUR 194.65 examination fee for category B plus two EUR 16.00 revenue stamps, in addition to the medical certificate and any tuition

Exam sponsor website

Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.

Official sources

D.M. 10 agosto 2021, n. 323 — Allegato B, Programma d'esame per la patente nautica di categoria B · Source checked 2026-09-17The four groups of the programme, article 8 on the written paper and oral interrogation with the 90-minute limit and the anti-collision kinematics problem, and article 9 on the practical test
Guardia Costiera — Ammissione all'esame per la patente nautica · Source checked 2026-09-17Confirms that Category B requires three years' possession of the Category A licence without limits, that applications go to the maritime authority, and the EUR 194.65 fee plus two EUR 16.00 stamps
Codice della Nautica da Diporto (D.Lgs. 18 luglio 2005, n. 171) e D.M. 29 luglio 2008, n. 146 · Source checked 2026-09-17Definition of nave da diporto as a hull over 24 metres, licence categories, medical and moral requirements and the validity of the licence
Allegato V (articolo 54) — Mezzi di salvataggio e dotazioni di sicurezza, as replaced by D.M. 17 settembre 2024, n. 133 · Source checked 2026-09-17Life-saving appliances and safety equipment by distance from the coast, the standard the practical-test vessel must meet, and the reference to the Ministry of Health medicine chest table
Istituto Idrografico della Marina — carte e pubblicazioni nautiche · Source checked 2026-09-17Charts, Portolano, Elenco dei Fari e Segnali da Nebbia and Avvisi ai Naviganti, the publications named in the 2nd group of the programme

Our practice resources: topics covered

We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.

35%

Navigazione e Cinematica Navale (2° Gruppo)

Cosmography and tides, magnetism and compasses, coordinates and courses, dead reckoning and coastal navigation, charts and publications, radionavigation and radar, restricted waters, and relative-motion plotting with CPA and TCPA.

21%

Teoria della Nave e Stabilità (1° Gruppo)

Buoyancy, centre of gravity and centre of buoyancy, metacentric height and righting lever, stability curve, dynamic stability, free surface effect, subdivision and flooding.

Manovra e Condotta (1° Gruppo)

Twin-screw handling, transverse thrust, thrusters, lateral translation, stern-to mooring, pivot point and stopping distance.

Meteorologia (3° Gruppo)

Meteorological elements and instruments, general circulation, fronts, Mediterranean winds, isobars and Buys Ballot, Beaufort and Douglas scales.

Normativa e Doveri del Comandante (4° Gruppo)

Definition of nave da diporto, duties of the master, maritime authority and ordinances, documents, commercial use and crewing, and the report of an extraordinary event.

Colreg e Regolamenti (4° Gruppo)

Look-out and safe speed, restricted visibility, narrow channels, responsibilities between vessels, lights and precautions near other nautical activities.

Apparati di Propulsione (1° Gruppo)

Marine diesels and charge-air cooling, common rail, thrust bearing, stern gear, controllable pitch propellers and oil mist detection.

Sicurezza e Sinistri (4° Gruppo)

Safety certificate and surveys, medicine chest, machinery-space fire, flooding, steering failure and distress signals.

Radio e Segnali (4° Gruppo)

International Code of Signals and the DSC and voice distress procedure.

Tutela dell'Ambiente Marino (4° Gruppo)

Marine protected area zoning and anchoring restrictions including Posidonia meadows.

Preparing for the Patente Nautica Categoria B Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: No numeric pass mark is published. The examination is passed on a favourable outcome of both the theory test and the practical test; the practical result is declared publicly at the end of the test
Assessment: Theory test under article 8 of D.M. 323/2021: a written paper based on the topics of the 2nd group of the programme and including the practical solution of an anti-collision navigational-kinematics problem, to be handed in within 90 minutes, followed by an oral interrogation over the programme. Practical test under article 9: held at sea on a nave da diporto or traffic unit of not less than 24 metres, or where none is available on a unit of not less than 20 metres, carrying safety equipment to at least the standard for navigation within 50 miles; on board must be the candidate, the examining commission and a person who has held a Category B licence for at least three years and who retains command. The candidate handles the vessel on different points over legs of at least half a mile, recovers a man overboard, moors and unmoors, uses the equipment on board correctly, demonstrates competence with the life-saving and fire-fighting appliances, and shows the preparations needed for bad weather.
Time limit: 90 minutes maximum for the written paper; the oral interrogation and the practical test at sea have no published fixed duration
Exam / certification fees: EUR 194.65 examination fee for category B plus two EUR 16.00 revenue stamps, in addition to the medical certificate and any tuition Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

Work through all 100 available questions
Review every answer and explanation
Track weak areas and revisit them
Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

Patente Nautica Categoria B: Suggested Study Strategy

1Work the anti-collision kinematics problem until the plot is automatic: own vessel's vector, the target's relative track, the closest point of approach and the time to it, and then the effect of a trial alteration of course or speed.

2Be able to derive as well as quote the stability relationships: GM equals KB plus BM minus KG, BM equals the waterplane inertia divided by the volume of displacement, and GZ equals GM times the sine of the angle for small angles of heel.

3Know the correction and conversion of headings and bearings cold, with the sign convention for easterly and westerly variation and deviation, and remember that deviation is read from the table against the heading being steered.

4Learn the four groups of Allegato B as a checklist for the oral: ship theory and propulsion, navigation and kinematics, meteorology, and regulations, safety, radio and environment.

5For the practical test, rehearse the manoeuvres actually listed: handling on different points over legs of at least half a mile, man overboard, mooring and unmooring, use of the safety and fire-fighting equipment and the preparations for bad weather.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Category B examination include astronomical navigation?

No. The 2nd group of Allegato B covers the celestial bodies, the constellations, the pole star and the planets, the solar system, lunar phases, tides and the motions of the Earth as cosmography, but it does not include position fixing by sextant altitudes or sight reduction. The written paper is a navigation paper drawn from that group and includes an anti-collision navigational-kinematics problem.

Who may sit the Category B examination?

A candidate of at least 18 years of age who has held a Category A licence for navigation without any limit from the coast for at least three years, and who meets the physical, mental and moral requirements of articles 35 to 37 and Allegato I of D.M. 29 luglio 2008, n. 146.

What vessel is used for the practical test?

A nave da diporto or a traffic unit of not less than 24 metres, or, where none is available and the fact is recorded in the examination minutes, a unit of not less than 20 metres. She must carry safety equipment to at least the standard required for navigation within 50 miles, and a person who has held a Category B licence for at least three years remains in command throughout.

Is there a numeric pass mark?

No numeric mark is published for Category B. The decree provides that the examination is passed on a favourable outcome of both tests, and that the practical test ends with the public declaration of its result.

Are OpenExamPrep questions official examination questions?

No. There is no ministerial multiple-choice question list for Category B; the official examination is a written paper, an oral interrogation and a practical test, conducted in Italian. This is an independent English-language practice bank written from the Allegato B programme and the underlying law, intended as a study aid rather than a simulation of the examination.