FAQ
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT NAUTICS
What is a recreational nautical qualification?
Recreational nautical qualifications are not professional and exclusively qualify for the government of this type of vessels, not being able to carry out cargo or passenger transport activities that are paid, or non-sport fishing.
Professional graduates will be able to carry out in pleasure boats the powers that their professional title confers on them.
Theoretical exam programs and the content of the practices are determined in the annexes of Royal Decree 875/2014, of October 10, which regulates nautical qualifications for the government of pleasure boats.
Once the exam and conditions for obtaining each degree have been passed, the body in which the theoretical exam has been passed (General Directorate of the Merchant Marine or Autonomous Community) will be asked for a card accrediting possession of the degree.
The cards have a validity period of 10 years, after which they can be renewed with the provision of a new medical certificate. Notwithstanding the foregoing, people over 70 years of age must renew the title every 5 years.
Professional graduates will be able to carry out in pleasure boats the powers that their professional title confers on them.
Theoretical exam programs and the content of the practices are determined in the annexes of Royal Decree 875/2014, of October 10, which regulates nautical qualifications for the government of pleasure boats.
Once the exam and conditions for obtaining each degree have been passed, the body in which the theoretical exam has been passed (General Directorate of the Merchant Marine or Autonomous Community) will be asked for a card accrediting possession of the degree.
The cards have a validity period of 10 years, after which they can be renewed with the provision of a new medical certificate. Notwithstanding the foregoing, people over 70 years of age must renew the title every 5 years.
Do you need a title to handle recreational boats?
Yes, except for the government of motor boats with a maximum power of 11.26 kilowatts and up to 5 meters in length, those for sailing up to 6 meters in length and floating or beach devices, with the exception of jet skis, always that they do not go more than 2 nautical miles from a port, marina or place of shelter and the activity is carried out in a daytime navigation regime.
Interested parties must have attained 18 years of age.
It will not be necessary to comply with the age or degree requirements regulated in this royal decree for the purposes of preparation and participation in official maritime-sports competitions.
Interested parties must have attained 18 years of age.
It will not be necessary to comply with the age or degree requirements regulated in this royal decree for the purposes of preparation and participation in official maritime-sports competitions.
What title is necessary to drive a jet ski?
Depending on the power of the jet ski, you will need the title of:
Nautical motorcycle pattern ‘A’: to handle motorcycles with a power equal to or greater than 110 hp.
Nautical motorcycle pattern ‘B’: to handle motorcycles with a power equal to or greater than 55 CV and less than 110 CV.
Federative Authorization of Skipper of nautical motorcycle ‘C’, or Navigation License: to handle motorcycles with power less than 55 CV.
In addition, they can be handled with the titles of Basic Navigation Skipper, Recreational Boat Skipper, Yacht Skipper and Yacht Captain.
Nautical motorcycle pattern ‘A’: to handle motorcycles with a power equal to or greater than 110 hp.
Nautical motorcycle pattern ‘B’: to handle motorcycles with a power equal to or greater than 55 CV and less than 110 CV.
Federative Authorization of Skipper of nautical motorcycle ‘C’, or Navigation License: to handle motorcycles with power less than 55 CV.
In addition, they can be handled with the titles of Basic Navigation Skipper, Recreational Boat Skipper, Yacht Skipper and Yacht Captain.
What title is necessary to operate a small boat?
Depending on the size of the boat and the distance from the coast at which one is going to navigate, one title or another will be needed, for small boats the title of Basic Navigation Skipper or the Navigation License is usually sufficient.
The following table provides guidance on the attributions of the qualifications based on the dimensions of the boat and the regulatory navigation distances to the coast:
Navigation license: Sailing and motor boating federations and recreational nautical schools may issue licenses for the government of class C watercraft and pleasure boats up to 6 meters in length and an adequate motor power according to their manufacturer , which will enable daytime navigations to be carried out as long as they do not go more than 2 nautical miles away in any direction from a port, marina or place of shelter.
Basic Navigation Pattern (PNB): Government of motorized pleasure boats, up to 8 meters in length, as long as the boat does not go more than 5 miles in any direction from a port, marina or place of shelter. Government of nautical motorcycles, within the specific navigation limits applicable to them, in accordance with their technical characteristics.
Recreational Boat Skipper (PER): Government of motorized pleasure boats up to 15 meters in length, which empowers to navigate in the area between the coast and a line parallel to it, drawn 12 miles from it. Government of motorized pleasure boats up to 15 meters in length, which enables navigation between islands within the Balearic and Canary archipelago. Government of nautical motorcycles, within the specific navigation limits applicable to them, in accordance with their technical characteristics.
Yacht Skipper: Government of motorized pleasure boats up to 24 meters in length, which empowers to navigate in the area between the coast and a line parallel to it drawn at a distance of 150 nautical miles. Government of nautical motorcycles, within the specific navigation limits applicable to them, in accordance with their technical characteristics.
Yacht Captain: Government of motorized pleasure boats up to 24 meters in length, which enables navigation without geographical limits. Government of nautical motorcycles, within the specific navigation limits applicable to them, in accordance with their technical characteristics.
The following table provides guidance on the attributions of the qualifications based on the dimensions of the boat and the regulatory navigation distances to the coast:
Navigation license: Sailing and motor boating federations and recreational nautical schools may issue licenses for the government of class C watercraft and pleasure boats up to 6 meters in length and an adequate motor power according to their manufacturer , which will enable daytime navigations to be carried out as long as they do not go more than 2 nautical miles away in any direction from a port, marina or place of shelter.
Basic Navigation Pattern (PNB): Government of motorized pleasure boats, up to 8 meters in length, as long as the boat does not go more than 5 miles in any direction from a port, marina or place of shelter. Government of nautical motorcycles, within the specific navigation limits applicable to them, in accordance with their technical characteristics.
Recreational Boat Skipper (PER): Government of motorized pleasure boats up to 15 meters in length, which empowers to navigate in the area between the coast and a line parallel to it, drawn 12 miles from it. Government of motorized pleasure boats up to 15 meters in length, which enables navigation between islands within the Balearic and Canary archipelago. Government of nautical motorcycles, within the specific navigation limits applicable to them, in accordance with their technical characteristics.
Yacht Skipper: Government of motorized pleasure boats up to 24 meters in length, which empowers to navigate in the area between the coast and a line parallel to it drawn at a distance of 150 nautical miles. Government of nautical motorcycles, within the specific navigation limits applicable to them, in accordance with their technical characteristics.
Yacht Captain: Government of motorized pleasure boats up to 24 meters in length, which enables navigation without geographical limits. Government of nautical motorcycles, within the specific navigation limits applicable to them, in accordance with their technical characteristics.
Where do you apply for a recreation qualification?
At the Central Services of the General Directorate of the Merchant Marine, Ruiz de Alarcón street number 1, 28071 Madrid.
In the Maritime Captaincies.
In the areas of development of government delegations.
In the Autonomous Communities with competences in the matter of degrees.
In the case of recreational qualifications issued by the General Directorate of the Merchant Marine, it may be requested, in addition to in the places provided for in article 2 of Royal Decree 772/1999, of May 7, and preferably in: Maritime Captaincy, the Central Services of the DGMM (Madrid), or through the use of postal services by sending the corresponding documentation to the General Directorate of the Merchant Marine, Maritime Training Area, C / Ruiz de Alarcón, nº 1, 28071 – Madrid.
In the Maritime Captaincies.
In the areas of development of government delegations.
In the Autonomous Communities with competences in the matter of degrees.
In the case of recreational qualifications issued by the General Directorate of the Merchant Marine, it may be requested, in addition to in the places provided for in article 2 of Royal Decree 772/1999, of May 7, and preferably in: Maritime Captaincy, the Central Services of the DGMM (Madrid), or through the use of postal services by sending the corresponding documentation to the General Directorate of the Merchant Marine, Maritime Training Area, C / Ruiz de Alarcón, nº 1, 28071 – Madrid.
What to do if a recreation card is lost?
If we lose our recreation card, a duplicate can be requested from the DGMM, for which the following documentation will be presented:
Completed application.
Payment of the rate in force at the time of application.
Affidavit of loss.
In case of theft, photocopy of the complaint to the competent authority.
Completed application.
Payment of the rate in force at the time of application.
Affidavit of loss.
In case of theft, photocopy of the complaint to the competent authority.
What is understood by recreational boat?
Recreational vessels are considered to be those of all kinds, regardless of the means of propulsion, with a hull length between 2.5 and 24 meters, designed and intended for recreational and sporting purposes, and which do not carry more than 12 passengers.
Documentation necessary for the management of a pleasure boat
Relating to the crew:
The qualification that certifies the aptitude for the government of a boat.
Relative to the boat:
Flagging, Registration and Registration.
The Navigation Patent, for vessels greater than 20 GRT from the sixth list, or seventh greater than 24 meters.
The Certificate of Spanish registration / navigation permit, in the case of vessels on the Seventh List less than or equal to 24 meters without professional crew.
The navigation or role license, duly dispatched, for the sixth and seventh lists with professional crew.
The certificate of navigability that proves having carried out the corresponding inspections and surveys.
The insurance policy.
The qualification that certifies the aptitude for the government of a boat.
Relative to the boat:
Flagging, Registration and Registration.
The Navigation Patent, for vessels greater than 20 GRT from the sixth list, or seventh greater than 24 meters.
The Certificate of Spanish registration / navigation permit, in the case of vessels on the Seventh List less than or equal to 24 meters without professional crew.
The navigation or role license, duly dispatched, for the sixth and seventh lists with professional crew.
The certificate of navigability that proves having carried out the corresponding inspections and surveys.
The insurance policy.
What is the 'CE' marking and what are its advantages?
The ‘CE’ marking of recreational boats is a guarantee that the safety requirements of these boats established by the Directives of the European Union are being met. The ‘CE’ marking simplifies the procedures for flagging / registration of pleasure boats, given the safety margins it provides.
What are nautical ITBs and where can they be held?
To get an idea, nautical ITBs come to be like ITVs for cars, that is, a series of inspections and surveys that are carried out periodically to boats in order to ensure that the boat meets the regulatory requirements for navigability .
The initial inspection is carried out by the maritime Administration and the subsequent ones in the Collaborating Entities, within the deadlines set by the legislation, according to the characteristics of the vessel and the List to which it belongs. For more information, see the section dedicated to nautical ITB.
The initial inspection is carried out by the maritime Administration and the subsequent ones in the Collaborating Entities, within the deadlines set by the legislation, according to the characteristics of the vessel and the List to which it belongs. For more information, see the section dedicated to nautical ITB.
Is it necessary to obtain insurance for the recreational boat?
Yes, it will be necessary to subscribe an insurance that covers civil liability derived from material and personal damage caused by fault or negligence to third parties, to the port or to the maritime facilities.
Será necesario un seguro específico para la participación en las competiciones deportivas que cubra la responsabilidad civil respecto a los intervinientes.
Para ampliar información, examinar la sección dedicada al Seguro Obligatorio.
Who can flag a boat in Spain?
Vessels may be flagged in Spain by residents, natural persons and entities resident in the EU, when, in the latter two cases, they appoint a representative in Spain.
The possibility that natural persons residing in the E.U. can flag vessels in Spain. It is from the year 2010, and it is one of the only countries that allow non-residents to flag.
On the other hand, taking into account the tourist registration, there is also the possibility that residents in countries that are not of the E.U. can flag in Spain.
Can you sail without liability insurance?
In Spanish Waters, any boat with a motor is required to have civil liability insurance, sailing without boat insurance is subject to sanction. Marinas require it to allow a boat to stay or enter their facilities
Who can steer a boat?
The boat can be skippered by any person on board who has the necessary qualification for the handling of that boat, within the navigation area that corresponds to the type of boat and that of course is authorized by the owner of the boat.