Faq

NAUTICAL FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is a recreational boating license?

The recreational nautical qualifications are not professional and qualify exclusively for the government of this type of vessels, not being able to carry out activities of cargo or passenger transport that are paid, or non-sport fishing. The professional licensees will be able to carry out in the pleasure boats the attributions that their professional title confers to them. The theoretical examination programs and the content of the practices are determined in the annexes of Royal Decree 875/2014, of October 10, which regulates the nautical qualifications for the government of recreational vessels. Once the examination and conditions for obtaining each certificate have been passed, an application will be made to the body where the theoretical examination was passed (Directorate General of the Merchant Marine or Autonomous Community) for a card accrediting possession of the certificate. The cards are valid for a period of 10 years, after which they may be renewed upon presentation of a new medical certificate. Notwithstanding the above, persons over 70 years of age must renew the card every 5 years.

Is a certificate required to operate recreational boats?

Recreational nautical qualifications are not of a professional nature and qualify exclusively for the government of this type of vessels, and may not carry out cargo or passenger transport activities that are paid, or non-sport fishing. Professional licensees may perform on pleasure craft the functions conferred by their professional title. The theoretical examination programs and the content of the practices are determined in the annexes of Royal Decree 875/2014, of October 10, which regulates the nautical qualifications for the government of recreational vessels. Once the examination and conditions for obtaining each certificate have been passed, an application will be made to the body where the theoretical examination was passed (Directorate General of the Merchant Marine or Autonomous Community) for a card accrediting possession of the certificate. The cards are valid for a period of 10 years, after which they may be renewed upon presentation of a new medical certificate. Notwithstanding the above, persons over 70 years of age must renew the card every 5 years.

Is a certificate required to operate 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, sail boats up to 6 meters in length and floating or beach craft, with the exception of jet skis, provided that they are not more than 2 nautical miles from a port, marina or place of shelter and the activity is carried out in daytime navigation regime. Interested parties must be at least 18 years of age. It shall not be necessary to comply with the age or qualification requirements regulated in this Royal Decree for the purposes of preparation for and participation in official maritime-sports competitions.

What qualification is required to operate a jet ski?

Depending on the power of the jet ski you will need the title of:
Patrón de moto náutica ‘A’: to handle motorcycles of power equal or superior to 110 CV.
Patrón de moto náutica ‘B’: to handle motorcycles of power equal or superior to 55 CV and inferior to 110 CV.
Autorización Federativa de Patrón de moto náutica ‘C’, or Licencia de Navegación: to handle motorcycles with a power of less than 55 CV.
In addition they can be handled with the titles of Patrón de Navegación Básica, Patrón de Embarcaciones de Recreo, Patrón de Yate and Capitán de Yate.

What qualification is required to operate a small boat?

Depending on the dimensions of the boat and the distance from the coast to which it is going to sail, one title or another will be needed, for small boats the title of Basic Navigation Skipper or the Navigation License is usually enough.
The following table provides guidance on the attributions of the qualifications according to the dimensions of the vessel and the regulatory sailing distances from the coast:
License of navigation: Sail and motonautical federations and recreational nautical schools may issue licenses for the government of class C nautical motorcycles and recreational boats up to 6 meters in length and an engine power appropriate to them according to their manufacturer, which will enable for daytime sailing provided they do not go more than 2 nautical miles in any direction from a port, marina or place of shelter.
Patrón de Navegación Básica (PNB) (Basic Navigation Pattern): Government of recreational motor 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 limits of navigation applicable to them, according to their technical characteristics.
Patrón de Embarcaciones de Recreo (PER): Government of recreational motor 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 recreational motor boats up to 15 meters in length, which empowers navigation between islands within the Balearic and Canary archipelago. Government of nautical motorcycles, within the specific limits of navigation applicable to them, according to their technical characteristics.
Yacht Skipper: Government of recreational motor 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 limits of navigation applicable to them, according to their technical characteristics.
Yacht Captain: Government of recreational motor boats up to 24 meters in length, which empowers navigation without geographical limits. Government of nautical motorcycles, within the specific limits of navigation applicable to them, according to their technical characteristics.

Where do I apply for a recreational qualification?

At the Central Services of the Dirección General de la Marina Mercante, Calle Ruiz de Alarcón 1, 28071 Madrid.
At the Maritime Captaincy.
In the Development Areas of the government delegations.
In the Autonomous Communities with competence in matters of degrees.
In the case of recreational qualifications issued by the Directorate General of the Merchant Marine, applications may be made, in addition to the places provided for in Article 2 of Royal Decree 772/1999, of May 7, and preferably at: the Maritime Captaincy, the Central Services of the DGMM (Madrid), or by using the postal services by sending the corresponding documentation to the Directorate General 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 recreational card, a duplicate can be requested to the DGMM, for which the following documentation must be submitted:
Completed application.
Payment of the fee in force at the time of the request.
Affidavit of the loss.
In case of theft, photocopy of the report to the competent authority.

What is a recreational craft?

Recreational vessels are those of all types, 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 carrying no more than 12 passengers.

Documentation required for the steering of a pleasure boat

Related to the crew: The qualification that certifies the aptitude to steer a vessel. Related to the vessel: Flag, Registration and Registry. The Navigation Patent, for vessels over 20 GRT of sixth list, or seventh greater than 24 meters. The Spanish registration certificate / navigation permit, in the case of vessels of List seven less than or equal to 24 meters without professional crew. The navigation license or role, duly dispatched, for sixth and seventh lists with professional crew. The certificate of seaworthiness that proves having completed the corresponding inspections and surveys. The insurance policy.

What is CE marking and what are the benefits?

The ‘CE’ marking of recreational craft is a guarantee that the safety requirements established by the European Union Directives are being complied with. The ‘CE’ marking simplifies the flagging/registration procedures for recreational craft, given the safety margins it provides.

What are nautical ITBs and where can they be held?

To get an idea, the ITB nautical come to be like the ITV for automobiles, ie, a series of inspections and examinations that are performed periodically to the vessels to ensure that the boat meets the regulatory requirements for seaworthiness. The initial inspection is performed by the Maritime Administration and subsequent in the Collaborating Entities, within the deadlines set by law, according to the characteristics of the boat and the List to which it belongs. For more information, see the section dedicated to ITB nautical.

Is it necessary to obtain insurance for the pleasure boat?

Yes, it will be necessary to take out insurance to cover civil liability for material and personal damages caused by fault or negligence to third parties, the port or maritime facilities. Specific insurance will be required for participation in sporting competitions to cover civil liability for those involved. For further information, please see the section on Compulsory Insurance.

Who can flag a vessel in Spain?

Resident persons, natural persons and entities resident in the E.U. may flag vessels in Spain when, in the latter two cases, they appoint a representative in Spain.

The possibility that natural persons resident in the E.U. can flag vessels in Spain is from 2010, and is one of the only countries that allow non-residents to flag vessels.

On the other hand, taking into account the tourist registration, there is also the possibility that residents of non-EU countries can fly the Spanish flag.

Is it possible to sail without liability insurance?

In Spanish waters, any boat with a motor is obliged to have a civil liability insurance, sailing without having the boat insurance is cause for sanction. The 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 qualifications for the handling of that boat, within the navigation area that corresponds to the type of boat and of course is authorized by the owner of the boat.