What you need to know about sailing licenses in Croatia

Sailing in the pristine waters of Croatia is nothing short of amazing. With crystal-clear waters, stunning islands, and a rich cultural heritage, Croatia is every sailor’s paradise. The excitement of navigating the picturesque coves of the Dalmatian Coast or dropping anchor near historic towns like Hvar, Korcula, or Dubrovnik is a true mix of adventure, relaxation, and discovery. But before boarding your yacht or boat in Croatia and setting off into the shimmering blue, some crucial preparations are in order. The main one is checking if you are legally allowed to sail this piece of paradise by yourself. 

Understanding Croatian sailing laws and licenses

Croatia has a set of Maritime laws that every skipper must adhere to for safe and lawful sailing experience. Whether you’re an experienced sailor or new to the sea, understanding these laws can only enhance your boating vacation.

Key regulations include holding a valid license for sailing as well as for operating VHF radio stations. Skippers also need to strictly adhere to navigation rules within territorial waters and respect maritime traffic regulations. Environmental protection standards are non-negotiable too!

Additionally, it’s not just optional, but mandatory to report any incidents such as accidents or emergencies to the Harbor Master’s Office. Compliance with these regulations ensures everyone on board can enjoy incredible sailing experiences with peace of mind.

Safety first: adhering to local rules and regulations

Beyond licenses and local laws, there’s an array of essential safety measures every sailor must follow while cruising through Croatian waters: 

• gathering your crew before sailing off for a safety briefing. It’s important to explain to you crew, especially first-timers all that you expect and require from them during navigation, when docking and at anchor. Warn your friends and family about safety rules, their roles, and responsibilities when docking or underway. 
• all those aboard should have access to personal flotation devices (PFDs)
• monitoring weather forecasts and paying attention to signal flags can preempt turbulence
• respect maritime boundaries – remember those no-sailing zones marked on your nautical maps!
• always keep a well-stocked first aid kit onboard – check during the check-in the whereabouts of these
• practice line-of-sight navigation whenever possible

Remember – safety isn’t just another box you tick; it’s paramount aboard any vessel!

Types of sailing licenses in Croatia

In Croatia, for bareboat charters, you generally need one of two licenses: Nautical License Category C or Category B.

• Category B License: Lets you be in charge of yachts up to 15 meters long. This license never expires but cannot be used for commercial purposes.
• Category C License: Mandatory for professional captains or anyone using a vessel for business. It also covers yachts up to 15 meters but requires renewal every five years.

Boat Manager License Category B – exam

A person qualified to be the skipper of a Category B boat must be at least 18 years old to operate a boat with a propulsion power of more than 15 kW. With this license, you can operate several types of boats and participate in various maritime activities, including personal leisure and commercial transport (with specific limitations).

One can take the exam even at the age of 16, but with 15 kW restrictions in place until the age of 18. 

Course content

If you decide to take a course that lasts between 4 and 6 hours, you’ll be perfectly ready to take the exam. 

The course covers navigation, basic knowledge of motor repairs and maintenance, maritime law and meteorology, boat maneuvering safety and first aid and maritime radio communication service. 

The other option is to prepare for it on your own. This might take a little longer than 6 hours. 

The exam is fairly simple and accessible because you can take it at the Competent Port Authority or the Ministry of Maritime Affairs, Transport, and Infrastructure. It’s held almost every week and consists only of theoretical knowledge (written and oral). However, you need to set aside enough time because it takes a few hours to complete it.

The Ministry of Sea, Transport and Infrastructure determines the prices, but the license is valid world-wide and has no time limit.

In order to take the exam, you need the following documents:

1. completed form for taking the exam
2. two recent photographs 2,5 cm x 3,5 cm
3. copy of your ID card and/or passport and the original at hand
4. proof of exam fee payment

However, if you’re considering being a professional skipper or using a boat for business, you’ll need the Category C license. This one also lets you handle yachts of over 18 meters, and it requires a renewal every 5 years.

Both of these sailing licenses in Croatia also include the operation of the VHF radio stations. 

Foreign Sailors: Recognizing international sailing licenses in Croatia

Great news for international sailors – if you hold a sailing license that the Croatian authorities accept, you can instantly rent most of the boats on the charter market! However, it’s wise to confirm that your license is valid under Croatian maritime law before you venture into the beautiful waters of the Adriatic. Find the full list of recognized licenses by the Croatian Ministry of Maritime Affairs. 

For instance, the most common ones are licenses issued by

• ÖSV and MSVÖS, and viadonau since 2012 in Austria
• Uffici delle Capitanerie di porto, Uffici della Motorizzazione civile in Italy
• Deutscher Segel Verband, Deutscher Motoryachtverband in Germany
• Polski związek zeglarski, Polski Związek Motorowodny i Narciarstwa Wodnego in Poland 
• Sjøfartsdirektoratet in Norway
• IYT in Canada
• USSA and ASA in the USA
• Institut für Hochseenavigation Schweiz, Luft und Seefahrtschule, Segelschule Rorschach Schweiz, and CCS in Switzerland
• MCA and RYA in the United Kingdom
• Ministère de l’Écologie, de l’Énergie, du Développement durable et de l’Aménagement du territoire – Directions départementales des affaires maritimes in France
• and others

Important note: in order to charter a boat you require a valid VHF license, as well. Croatian boat manager exam has this part covered, but most international licenses do not. So you need to take an additional course and exam. 

Crewed charter for a care-free sailing experience

Even if you have all the necessary licenses, you might not know the Adriatic and the Croatian coast well enough. Or, if it’s your first time sailing these waters, we highly recommend hiring a local crew. 

This allows you to simply soak up the sun, and truly relax without worrying about navigation, weather, finding a berth, a buoy, or a spot for the truly special dining off-board in an exclusive, charming, or highly popular restaurant! You can charter a bareboat charter, and then hire a skipper/crew, or charter a skippered, or even better – a crewed yacht.  The crew can consist of a skipper, hostess and potentially even a chef. 

Let our local professional(s) take care of handling navigation through Croatia’s alluring archipelago. Moreover, they also ensure your comfort, deliver delightful gastronomic experiences, and complement your journey with their local expertise. This is indeed the most wonderful way to explore and relax at sea!

Casting off with confidence

Navigating Croatian waters is an unforgettable experience. In order to do it legally and safely, it’s important to understand the sailing license rules, regulations and safety guidelines.

Acquiring the necessary qualifications – be it through a national qualification recognized by Croatia or by undergoing local training – leads to assured safety for yourself, your crew, companions, and the rich marine environment you’ll be exploring.

So gather your crew, grab your sunnies, apply some sunscreen, and get ready to enjoy an unforgettable sailing journey on Croatian Waters. The open sea is calling! We wish you happy Sailing in Croatia!