Hiring a boat is the best option to explore over three thousand islands in Greece. The option allows you and your family to have a great time enjoying the beautiful scenes of the best Greek islands in privacy and at your own pace.
Some motorboat companies ensure you have comprehensive training before you set off on your adventure. However, the training alone is not all you need. You should be conversant with the boat licensing regulations in the country. Let’s dig deeper into that.
Do I need a boat license in Greece?
First, you need to understand that a motorboat is categorized as any boat that has an engine and is not considered a powerboat or speedboat that may be hired without a crew. The choice of hiring a motorboat from a boat rental company without a license in Greece is only available for small vessels which have less than 30 hp.
According to international boat licensing, it is the nationality of a boat or ship that defines the legal status. In simple terms, a boat flying the Greece flag and sailing in foreign waters is subjected to Greece regulations.
For starters, there isn’t a European boat license or international boat license. What matters is the ICC certificate which intends to provide proof of capability when asked for in foreign countries. In general, to rent a boat abroad, one must comply with the regulations of a country’s flag attached to the boat.
Boating licenses provided by the EU Member states automatically apply in Greece. Those outside the EU are valid only if they meet the European Union standards. Any licenses in languages other than Greek or English must be translated.
To successfully rent a boat in Greece, you need a license for any sailing boats and motorboats with above 30 hp. Below 30 horsepower, you don’t need a boat license for motorboats.
Boating licenses you need in Greece
The yacht charter Greece regulation requires at least one authorized skipper on board as well as one experienced crew member. In addition, both must be above 18 years of age. The captain must be competent in handling the yacht at close quarters and mooring in different conditions. Besides, he should be in a position to use pilotage and navigation skills to schedule the day’s sailing and know his position at any time.
The captain should have at least one crew member, a first mate, of the competent crew level or equivalent certification from an authorized sailing association. As a yacht captain, you must have a certificate or a sailing license from a recognized IPC or an authorized sailing association. If you possess both, the better.
Some of the licenses a captain must have in Greece
For a captain to sail in Greek waters, they need:
- International Certificate of Competence (ICC), an International Prerequisite or prove competence by completing the ICC Assessment form.
- According to the Greece boating license regulation, an International Proficiency Certificate (IPC) is a must.
- In addition, a captain must undertake the Bareboat Cruising Course
- One can also present the Canadian Pleasure Craft Operator Card or a CYA ‘Intermediate Cruising Standard’
Copies of all relevant sailing certificates must be sent and received to the base at least four weeks before your charter. In addition, all captains are required to carry original copies of their certificates as they will present them to the port authorities upon arrival.