Which boating licences do I need in Croatia?
When chartering a yacht in Croatia, it's mandatory to have at least one certified skipper on board. The skipper must hold a recognized sailing license or certification valid in Croatia, with proficiency in yacht maneuvering and navigation.
Certificates issued by the competent authorities of other states that have concluded bilateral Memorandum of Understanding with Croatian Administration are recognized for operating charter boats and yachts. For bareboating, certifications such as ICC, PCOC, or IYT are required. Operations are permitted in internal waters, territorial sea, and accessible waters of Croatia. A valid certificate for radio station operation is mandatory for vessels with radio-telephone VHF or GMDSS-VHF stations.
Skipper Licenses and Certifications Required in Croatia
- Sailing license or certificate from an accredited sailing association
- International Certificate of Competence for Pleasure Craft (ICC)
- International Proficiency Certificate (IPC)
- Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC)
- VHF Restricted Operators licence or short range GMDSS radio certificate
Canadian Boating Licenses and Certifications
In Canada, the International Sail and Power Academy INC (ISPA) issues the PCOC. The International Yacht Training, Inc. (IYT) provides various certifications, equivalent to the ICC. These certifications have different operational scopes in Croatian waters. Following enable the operation of bareboat chartered boats and chartered yachts up to 30 Gross Tonnage (GT) in Croatia:
ISPA Certifications: Day Skipper Bareboat Sail and Power (DS), Coastal Navigator (CN), Coastal Skipper Bareboat Sail and Power (CSAS), Yachtmaster Offshore A (YM), Yachtmaster Ocean B (YMO)
Exception: Certificate of Competence Crew Sail and Power (CC): For boats up to 7 meters in length and 15 kW, within 3 NM from Croatian coasts.
IYT CertificationsInternational Bareboat Skipper, Yachtmaster Coastal, Yachtmaster Offshore, Yachtmaster Ocean, International Watchkeeper/Flotilla Skipper Certificate, Intermediate Cruising (Bareboat) Standard
American Boating Licenses and Certifications
In the US, the US Sailing Association (USSA), American Sailing Association (ASA), and NauticEd International Sailing Education issue the International Proficiency Certificate (IPC). These organizations provide various certifications, each equivalent to the ICC, with different operational scopes in Croatian waters. The following certifications enable the operation of bareboat chartered boats and chartered yachts up to 30 Gross Tonnage (GT) in Croatia:
ASA Certifications: Bareboat Chartering (ASA 104), Advanced Coastal Cruising (ASA 106), Offshore Passagemaking (ASA 108)
Exception: Basic Coastal Cruising (ASA 103): restricted to a distance up to 6 nm from mainland or island coast in internal waters and territorial sea of the Republic of Croatia.
USSA Certifications: Basic Cruising (USSA), Bareboat Cruising (USSA), Coastal navigation (USSA), Coastal Passagemaking (USSA), Celestial Navigation (USSA), Offshore Passagemaking (USSA)
Exception: Basic Keelboat (USSA): restricted to a distance up to 6 nm from mainland or island coast in internal waters and territorial sea of the Republic of Croatia.
NauticEd International Sailing Education License: International Sailing License and Credentials (SLC)
UK and Northern Ireland Boating Licenses and Certifications
The following list details boating licenses and certifications from the UK and Northern Ireland that are recognized and authorized by Croatian port authorities for use in Croatian waters, and are considered equivalent to the International Certificate of Competence (ICC):
Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA): MASTER, CHIEF MATE, OFFICER OF THE WATCH, CHIEF ENGINEER (Yacht 1,2,3,4)
Royal Yachting Association (RYA): International Certificate for Operator of Pleasure Craft (Coastal Waters, Power up to 10m), International Certificate for Operator of Pleasure Craft (Coastal Waters, Power up to 24m or 80 GT, Sail up to 24m or 80GT), Day Skipper Shorebased Certificate, Day Skipper practical course completion certificate (tidal or non – tidal), Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaster Offshore Shorebased Certificate, Yachtmaster Ocean Shorebased Certificate, Powerboat Level 2, Advanced Powerboat Certificate of Competence, Day Skipper Certificate of Competence, Coastal Skipper Certificate of Competence, Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate of Competence, Yachtmaster Ocean Certificate of Competence
New Zealand and Australia Boating Licenses and Certifications
Croatian port authorities recognize and accept various boating licenses and certifications issued by New Zealand Coastguard and Australia, allowing their holders to operate in Croatian waters. These certifications from New Zealand and Australia are acknowledged as meeting the standards set by the ICC:
New Zealand Coastguard: Boatmaster, Coastal Skipper, Ocean Yachtmaster
Exception: Day Skipper bareboat chartered yachts up to 30 GT, at a distance up to 6 nm from mainland or island coast in internal waters and territorial sea of the Republic of Croatia and waters accessible from the sea.
Department of Transport and Main Roads, Government of Queensland: Marine Licence Verification Certificate (IRMDL)
Government of South Australia: Boat operator’s licence
Department of Transport Marine Safety, Government of Western Australia: Recreational Skippers Ticket (RST)
Transport, Roads and Maritime Services, NSW Government agency: General Boat Driving Licence
Source: Recognized certificates issued by the competent authorities of other states, as per the bilateral Memoranda of Understanding with the Croatian Administration.
