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DGRM Certificado de Competência como Comandante (STCW II/2) Exam (Portugal)

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Sample Portugal Mestre Costeiro Practice Questions

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1On a Mercator nautical chart of the Portuguese coast, which scale must be used to measure distances in nautical miles?

A.The natural scale ratio (1:100,000) converted with a metric centimeter ruler

B.The latitude scale on the side margins at the approximate mid-latitude of the track

C.The longitude scale printed along the top and bottom borders

D.The magnetic compass rose variation graduation ring

Explanation: On a Mercator projection, lines of longitude are parallel and equidistant, which causes distortion that increases toward the poles. Consequently, one minute of latitude equals one nautical mile, but one minute of longitude does not. Distances must always be measured on the latitude scale at the same latitude (or mid-latitude) as the track being measured to avoid scale distortion errors.

2A coastal fishing vessel is steering 280° by magnetic compass. The nautical chart shows a local magnetic variation of 2° W. The vessel's deviation card shows a deviation of 3° W for compass heading 280°. What is the true course (Rumo Verdadeiro - Rv) steered by the vessel?

A.275° True

B.281° True

C.285° True

D.277° True

Explanation: Total compass error = Variation + Deviation = (-2° W) + (-3° W) = -5° (5° W). When converting from Compass to True, westerly error is subtracted: True course = Compass course + Error = 280° - 5° = 275° True. (Mnemonic: Compass to True, Add East, Subtract West).

3At the port of Leixões, High Water (Preamar) is 3.80 m at 08:00, and Low Water (Baixa-mar) is 0.80 m at 14:00 (duration of fall = 6 hours, tidal range = 3.00 m). Using the Rule of Twelfths, what is the estimated height of tide at 10:00 (2 hours after high water)?

A.3.05 m

B.2.80 m

C.2.30 m

D.3.55 m

Explanation: According to the Rule of Twelfths for a 6-hour tide: in the 1st hour the tide falls 1/12 of the range; in the 2nd hour it falls 2/12. Total fall after 2 hours = 3/12 = 1/4 of the tidal range. Range = 3.80 m - 0.80 m = 3.00 m. Fall after 2 hours = 3.00 m * (1/4) = 0.75 m. Height of tide at 10:00 = High Water - Fall = 3.80 m - 0.75 m = 3.05 m.

4A Mestre Costeiro wants to make good a track of 180° True along the Portuguese coast. The vessel's speed through the water is 8 knots, and a tidal stream is setting 090° True at 2 knots. What course must be steered to counteract the stream?

A.166° True

B.180° True

C.194° True

D.205° True

Explanation: To counteract an easterly setting current (090° at 2 knots) that pushes the vessel to port of south, the vessel must steer to starboard (into the current). In the navigation triangle: sin(correction angle) = Current speed / Ship speed = 2 / 8 = 0.25. Correction angle = arcsin(0.25) ≈ 14.5° (approximately 14°). Course to steer = 180° + 14° = 194° True.

5What is the navigational meaning of an IALA Region A Cardinal Mark exhibiting a very quick or quick flashing white light with 3 flashes every 5 or 10 seconds, topped with two black cones pointing away from each other (bases together)?

A.North Cardinal Mark; safe water is to the north of the mark

B.South Cardinal Mark; safe water is to the south of the mark

C.West Cardinal Mark; safe water is to the west of the mark

D.East Cardinal Mark; safe water is to the east of the mark

Explanation: Under IALA Maritime Buoyage System Region A: An East Cardinal Mark has two black cones pointing away from each other (resembling an 'E' or diamond shape), painted black with a single broad horizontal yellow band, and exhibits a white light flashing 3 times (corresponding to the 3 o'clock position on a clock face: Q(3) or VQ(3)). Navigable safe water lies to the east of the mark.

6Under Rule 15 of RIEAM (Crossing Situation), when two power-driven vessels are crossing so as to involve risk of collision, what is the duty of the vessel which has the other on her own starboard side?

A.Maintain course and speed as the stand-on vessel

B.Sound two short blasts and turn hard to port across the other vessel's bow

C.Stop engines immediately and wait for the other vessel to pass

D.Keep out of the way, avoiding crossing ahead of the other if possible

Explanation: Rule 15 of RIEAM/COLREGs stipulates that when two power-driven vessels are crossing so as to involve risk of collision, the vessel which has the other on her own starboard side shall keep out of the way and shall, if the circumstances of the case admit, avoid crossing ahead of the other vessel.

7What day shape is required by Rule 26 of RIEAM for a vessel engaged in fishing other than trawling, when her fishing gear extends more than 150 meters horizontally from the vessel?

A.Three black balls in a vertical line

B.Two cones apexes together, plus one cone apex up toward the outlying gear

C.A black ball over a black diamond shape, both in a vertical line

D.A single black cylinder, hoisted where it can best be seen all round

Explanation: Rule 26(c) requires a vessel engaged in fishing other than trawling to exhibit two cones with apexes together in a vertical line. In addition, when there is outlying gear extending more than 150 meters horizontally from the vessel, she must exhibit a cone with the apex upwards in the direction of the outlying gear.

8What sound signal must a power-driven vessel underway make in or near an area of restricted visibility (such as coastal fog) when making way through the water, under Rule 35(a) of RIEAM?

A.Two prolonged blasts at intervals of not more than 2 minutes

B.One prolonged blast followed by two short blasts at intervals of not more than 1 minute

C.Continuous ringing of the ship's bell for 5 seconds every minute

D.One prolonged blast at intervals of not more than 2 minutes

Explanation: Rule 35(a) of RIEAM states that a power-driven vessel making way through the water shall sound at intervals of not more than 2 minutes one prolonged blast (duration 4 to 6 seconds).

9What are the typical meteorological characteristics and causes of the 'Nortada' coastal wind pattern along the western coast of mainland Portugal during the summer months?

A.Strong summer northerlies from the gradient between the Azores High and the Iberian thermal low

B.Light, variable westerly breezes associated with winter sub-polar low pressure depressions

C.Warm southeasterly winds blowing from the Sahara desert carrying dust clouds

D.Strong easterly Levante winds funnelling through the Strait of Gibraltar

Explanation: The 'Nortada' is a well-known summer wind system along the western coast of Portugal (prominent from Viana do Castelo down to Cabo da Roca and Cabo de São Vicente). It is created by the steep pressure gradient between the oceanic Azores Anticyclone and the intense thermal low developing over the hot Iberian landmass. During afternoon hours, thermal sea-breeze reinforcement causes northerly winds to reach 20–30 knots or more, generating rough coastal seas.

10When approaching to cross a hazardous river bar on the Portuguese coast (such as Barra do Douro, Barra de Aveiro, or Barra da Figueira da Foz), which sea and tidal conditions present the greatest risk of breaking seas and loss of vessel control?

A.Slack high water during calm, settled summer anticyclonic conditions

B.Flood tide (enchente) running in with light offshore easterly breezes

C.Ebb tide (vazante) running out against a heavy westerly Atlantic swell

D.Low water with zero swell and calm sea

Explanation: River bars become exceptionally dangerous when an outgoing ebb tide (vazante) discharges strong river current directly against heavy incoming Atlantic westerly swells. The opposing velocity compresses the wave energy, dramatically steepening wave faces and causing violent, shallow-water breaking seas. Vessels entering on the ebb risk severe broaching, bottom striking, or pitchpoling.

About the Portugal Mestre Costeiro Exam

Aptitude examination for entry into the Portuguese mestrança category of Mestre Costeiro (Portaria n.º 235/2020 art. 7.º n.º 2 b); DL 166/2019 art. 25.º), open to Mestres Locais with at least 12 months of qualifying embarque. Once certified, a Mestre Costeiro may be mestre of fishing vessels over 24 m and under 45 m in defined restricted waters, or command seagoing ships under 500 GT on coastal voyages in sight of the coast: Bordeaux to Marseille and the North African coast to Tunisia (Canaries included) within 30 miles, between ports of the Azores, and within the Madeira archipelago. This independent bank is an English-language MCQ study adaptation, not an official translation or simulation, and cannot assess the prova prática.

Exam sponsor: DGRM and certified training entities (FOR-MAR — Centro de Formação Profissional das Pescas e do Mar). The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Assessment

A prova escrita and a prova prática delivered by certified training entities under a DGRM protocol, such as FOR-MAR (session 26R01001), under DL 166/2019 art. 25.º and Portaria n.º 235/2020 art. 7.º n.º 2 b). Exam programmes are prepared jointly by DGRM and the training entities (art. 25.º n.º 5); we found no public programme. Passing confers the Diploma de exame de avaliação da aptidão para o exercício das funções de Mestre Costeiro. The STCW II/3 certificate of competency as comandante under 500 GT on coastal voyages is a separate certificate with its own exam (Portaria n.º 468/2025/1 arts. 5.º b) and 12.º).

Time Limit

Not published

Passing Score

Pass (aprovação); no numeric pass mark published

Exam / Certification Fees

€70

Exam sponsor website

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

Official sources

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.

~21% of this local bank

Coastal Navigation, Chartwork & Tides

Chart plotting, compass error, position fixing, tidal heights and under-keel clearance, tidal streams, and ETA, fuel and light-range calculations.

~28% of this local bank

RIEAM (COLREGs) & Buoyage

Rules of the road at sea, day shapes, navigation lights, sound and distress signals, and IALA Maritime Buoyage System Region A marks.

~14% of this local bank

Meteorology & Seamanship / Ship Handling

Portuguese coastal wind systems (Nortada), barometric changes, coastal fog, anchoring, berthing, river bars and following seas.

~11% of this local bank

Small Vessel Stability, Cargo & Fishing Operations

Transverse stability, free surface in holds and on deck, suspended weights, freeing ports, reserve buoyancy and safe catch stowage.

~26% of this local bank

Safety, LSA/Firefighting, GMDSS & Maritime Law

Liferafts and pyrotechnics, fire-fighting, enclosed spaces, GMDSS radio procedures, and the Portuguese framework (DL 166/2019, Portaria n.º 235/2020, Portaria n.º 468/2025/1).

Preparing for the Portugal Mestre Costeiro Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: Pass (aprovação); no numeric pass mark published
Assessment: A prova escrita and a prova prática delivered by certified training entities under a DGRM protocol, such as FOR-MAR (session 26R01001), under DL 166/2019 art. 25.º and Portaria n.º 235/2020 art. 7.º n.º 2 b). Exam programmes are prepared jointly by DGRM and the training entities (art. 25.º n.º 5); we found no public programme. Passing confers the Diploma de exame de avaliação da aptidão para o exercício das funções de Mestre Costeiro. The STCW II/3 certificate of competency as comandante under 500 GT on coastal voyages is a separate certificate with its own exam (Portaria n.º 468/2025/1 arts. 5.º b) and 12.º).
Time limit: Not published
Exam / certification fees: €70 Official sources

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Portugal Mestre Costeiro: Suggested Study Strategy

1Master the RIEAM (COLREGs) thoroughly, especially steering and sailing rules in narrow channels, traffic separation schemes, crossing situations, and restricted visibility.

2Practice chart plotting exercises, including three-bearing fixes, running fixes, course to steer counteracting tidal streams, and tidal height calculations with the rule of twelfths.

3Understand IALA Region A buoyage characteristics, particularly cardinal marks, topmarks, and flash rhythms.

4Study small craft stability principles, focusing on how free surface liquids in fish holds or bilge water affect GM and risk of capsize.

5Review the operational limits specified in Portaria n.º 235/2020 art. 7.º n.º 1 and GMDSS Sea Area A1/A2 radio communication protocols.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the category of Mestre Costeiro under Portuguese maritime law?

Under Decreto-Lei n.º 166/2019 art. 16.º n.º 2 b), Mestre Costeiro is a mestrança (petty-officer) category, not an officer category. Under Portaria n.º 235/2020 art. 7.º n.º 1, a certified Mestre Costeiro may be mestre of fishing vessels over 24 m and under 45 m in defined restricted waters, or command seagoing ships under 500 GT on coastal voyages in sight of the coast between Bordeaux and Marseille and along North Africa to Tunisia (Canaries included) within 30 miles, between Azores ports, and within the Madeira archipelago.

Who is eligible to take the Mestre Costeiro aptitude examination?

Under Portaria n.º 235/2020 art. 7.º n.º 2, candidates must hold the category of Mestre Local and have at least 12 months of qualifying embarque in the listed functions. FOR-MAR's exam listing also requires a valid Segurança Básica certificate on the exam date.

Does passing this aptitude examination automatically grant an STCW Certificate of Competency?

No. Passing confers the 'Diploma de exame de avaliação da aptidão para o exercício das funções de Mestre Costeiro' for entry into the category. The STCW II/3 certificate of competency as comandante on coastal voyages under 500 GT is a separate certificate with its own exam on STCW table A-II/3 (Portaria n.º 468/2025/1 arts. 5.º b) and 12.º).

In which language is the exam taken?

FOR-MAR and DGRM do not publish the exam's delivery language or an official exam programme. Our questions are in English, keeping official Portuguese names and terms such as Mestre Local, Mestre Costeiro and RIEAM.

Is this question bank an official examination?

No. This is an independent English-language MCQ study adaptation by OpenExamPrep covering coastal navigation, RIEAM, stability, meteorology and maritime safety. It is not an official FOR-MAR or DGRM exam paper or translation and cannot replace the required practical assessment (prova prática).