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Charter captain license for <24m yacht in EUROPE?

Discussion in 'Licensing & Education' started by MountainGuy, Mar 17, 2025.

  1. MountainGuy, Mar 17, 2025
    #1
    MountainGuy

    MountainGuy Member

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    Did my fair share of sailing over the last 20 years incl trans atlantic and many regattas. Now thinking of working as a charter captain on smaller yachts. As far as I understand the limit is 24m. What kind of license is necessary and who is a recommended agency for licensing/training IN EUROPE? May thanks!
  2. Capt Ralph, Mar 17, 2025
    #2
    Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    [QUOTE="MountainGuy, post: 360973,As far as I understand the limit is 24m. [/QUOTE]
    The limit is Meters or Gross Tonnage in Europe??
  3. Sarnico, Mar 17, 2025
    #3
    Sarnico

    Sarnico New Member

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    The 24 meter limit is for leisure licences and not to the type of use. I have a German sport boat licence for coastal waters and am not allowed to captain a vessel above 24 meters anywhere in Europe with my licence. For commercial use, you require a commercial rating. Compeltey different type of licence and takes some effort to obtain. As far as I know the laws of the flag state applies but there may be exemptions.
  4. Capt Ralph, Mar 17, 2025
    #4
    Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    I luv this forum. Learn new things every day.
    Thx
    :D
  5. MountainGuy, Mar 18, 2025
    #5
    MountainGuy

    MountainGuy Member

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    This is the license I have too, one for sailing yachts, another one for motor yachts. Both with the international certificate. Plus the radio license and extensive first aid. My question is exactly what you stated afterwards: what kind of different license is needed? I do not mind putting effort in it... If you are familiar with the German regulations, what would it be there? Or in Croatia, Italy? Any websites you can direct me to?
  6. Sarnico, Mar 18, 2025
    #6
    Sarnico

    Sarnico New Member

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    Can of worms opened :)
    In Germany you will need the "SKS" , "SHS" or "SSS" on top of the "SBF See" (sports boat licence sea). SKS is coastal waters, SSS is all seas worldwide. On a German flagged commercial vessel that will do, however if you are on a differently flagged vessel it becomes complicated. Pleas note that these licences will also have some limit on tonnage or length.

    As you are a german native speaker see here on the pull down menue far left: https://www.sportbootfuehrerscheine.org/fuehrerscheine-funk
    For Croatia this might be useful: https://www.kuestenpatent-kroatien....n-schifffahrt-auf-internationalen-gewaessern/

    User Mapsim may know what exactly applies for an italian flagged vessel.
  7. MountainGuy, Mar 19, 2025
    #7
    MountainGuy

    MountainGuy Member

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    Many thanks, I like this can! I do have the SHS and SBF equivalents, I assumed there would be some more, not sure if to be relieved or disappointed! Would not want to go above limits of these licenses anyway (gt & m). So some more miles and SSS is next ;-)
  8. Sarnico, Mar 19, 2025
    #8
    Sarnico

    Sarnico New Member

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    Great!! Out of interest, how muh effort was it to get the SHS? Been contemplating that myself but always come to the conclusion that I don't want stranges on my boat. LOL.