What most crews need
- A licence for the skipper that is on the Ministry's list, or a Croatian one. An ICC counts if it shows C for coastal waters. (Official source, )
- A VHF radio certificate. The list accepts a foreign licence only together with one. (Official source, )
- A crew list, which the charter company files with the Ministry before you leave. (Official source, ) What happens at check-in
- Or a hired skipper, if nobody aboard qualifies. Bareboat, skipper or flotilla
Read the graphic as text
- The licences the law accepts. The Ministry of the Sea's list of foreign certificates it recognises for skippering Croatian-flagged boats and yachts. (Official source, )
- The radio certificate. A foreign licence on the list counts only together with a radio certificate, when the boat has a fixed VHF radio. (Official source, )
- The list asks for a suitable Croatian or foreign radio certificate. It names no foreign certificate by name. (Official source, )
- What the law makes the company do. At the handover the company must check the skipper's competence, hand over the boat's papers, show that the equipment works, and brief you on safety, the rescue numbers, what to do after an accident and the weather warnings (Article 25). (Official source, )
Use this graphic
You may share and adapt it for any purpose, also commercially, under CC BY 4.0. Credit OlaSail and link to this page.
Credit line
Graphic: OlaSail, CC BY 4.0
Embed code
<figure> <img src="https://olasail.com/media/sailing-licences-croatia-2026.png" width="1600" height="2188" alt="Which sailing licence works in Croatia"> <figcaption>Graphic: <a href="https://olasail.com/croatia/licences/">OlaSail</a>, <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/">CC BY 4.0</a>. Official source: the ministry’s recognised certificates table. Checked 26 Sep 2026.</figcaption> </figure>
Which certificate do I have?
Pick where your certificate is from, then the certificate. You see what the law says and what a charter base usually asks, side by side. The law comes from the Ministry's own list. (Official source, )
1Where is it from?
2Which one do you have?
Now pick your certificate. The answer shows here.
What the law says
Not on the list
It isn't one of the certificates the Ministry recognises, so it doesn't let you skipper on its own.
(Official source, )
What a charter base usually asks
Sunsail and The Moorings ask for a licence on the Ministry's list (at least an ICC, RYA Day Skipper, ASA 103, US Sailing Basic Coastal Cruising, SLC or IPC), a VHF licence, and at least 5 days or 100 miles as skipper on a yacht of the same size (From the operator, )
What three Split charter bases told us in September 2026. Ask yours in writing before you book.
Next: Hire a skipper with the boat, or take the Croatian exam. Bareboat, skipper or flotilla
What the law says
Yes, within 6 NM of land
Boats up to 15 m, for private use or bareboat charter, within 6 NM of the mainland or an island (entry 36).
(Official source, )
A foreign licence on the list counts only together with a radio certificate, when the boat has a fixed VHF radio (Official source, )
What a charter base usually asks
What sailors told us about this one
What three Split charter bases told us in September 2026. Ask yours in writing before you book.
Next: Plan to stay within 6 NM of land, or move up to ASA 104 before you book.On our Split route, the open crossing from Šolta to Vis takes you up to about 6.7 NM from the nearest land (Measured by us, )
What the law says
Yes, yachts up to 18 m
Any boat, and yachts up to 18 m, for private use or bareboat charter, in Croatian waters. (entry 37)
(Official source, )
A foreign licence on the list counts only together with a radio certificate, when the boat has a fixed VHF radio (Official source, )
What a charter base usually asks
Sunsail and The Moorings ask for a licence on the Ministry's list (at least an ICC, RYA Day Skipper, ASA 103, US Sailing Basic Coastal Cruising, SLC or IPC), a VHF licence, and at least 5 days or 100 miles as skipper on a yacht of the same size (From the operator, )
What three Split charter bases told us in September 2026. Ask yours in writing before you book.
Next: Bring it, and a VHF certificate, to check-in.
What the law says
Yes, yachts up to 24 m
Any boat, and yachts up to 24 m, across the Adriatic, including trips to other countries (entry 38).
(Official source, )
A foreign licence on the list counts only together with a radio certificate, when the boat has a fixed VHF radio (Official source, )
What a charter base usually asks
Sunsail and The Moorings ask for a licence on the Ministry's list (at least an ICC, RYA Day Skipper, ASA 103, US Sailing Basic Coastal Cruising, SLC or IPC), a VHF licence, and at least 5 days or 100 miles as skipper on a yacht of the same size (From the operator, )
What three Split charter bases told us in September 2026. Ask yours in writing before you book.
Next: Bring it, and a VHF certificate, to check-in.
What the law says
Yes, yachts up to 500 GT
Any boat, and yachts up to 500 gross tonnes, with no limit on where you sail (entry 39).
(Official source, )
A foreign licence on the list counts only together with a radio certificate, when the boat has a fixed VHF radio (Official source, )
What a charter base usually asks
Sunsail and The Moorings ask for a licence on the Ministry's list (at least an ICC, RYA Day Skipper, ASA 103, US Sailing Basic Coastal Cruising, SLC or IPC), a VHF licence, and at least 5 days or 100 miles as skipper on a yacht of the same size (From the operator, )
What three Split charter bases told us in September 2026. Ask yours in writing before you book.
Next: Bring it, and a VHF certificate, to check-in.
What the law says
Check the words on your card
The list names one ASA card: the international proficiency certificate for yacht helmsman navigating in Mediterranean waters. That one covers yachts up to 500 gross tonnes, anywhere (entry 40).
(Official source, )
A foreign licence on the list counts only together with a radio certificate, when the boat has a fixed VHF radio (Official source, )
What a charter base usually asks
Sunsail and The Moorings ask for a licence on the Ministry's list (at least an ICC, RYA Day Skipper, ASA 103, US Sailing Basic Coastal Cruising, SLC or IPC), a VHF licence, and at least 5 days or 100 miles as skipper on a yacht of the same size (From the operator, )
What three Split charter bases told us in September 2026. Ask yours in writing before you book.
Next: Hold your card against the Ministry's list before you book.
What the law says
Yes, yachts up to 50 GT
Any boat, and yachts up to 50 gross tonnes, in Croatian waters (entry 40a).
(Official source, )
A foreign licence on the list counts only together with a radio certificate, when the boat has a fixed VHF radio (Official source, )
What a charter base usually asks
Sunsail and The Moorings ask for a licence on the Ministry's list (at least an ICC, RYA Day Skipper, ASA 103, US Sailing Basic Coastal Cruising, SLC or IPC), a VHF licence, and at least 5 days or 100 miles as skipper on a yacht of the same size (From the operator, )
What three Split charter bases told us in September 2026. Ask yours in writing before you book.
Next: Bring it, and a VHF certificate, to check-in.
What the law says
Not on the list
It is a crew certificate, so it doesn't let you skipper.
(Official source, )
What a charter base usually asks
Sunsail and The Moorings ask for a licence on the Ministry's list (at least an ICC, RYA Day Skipper, ASA 103, US Sailing Basic Coastal Cruising, SLC or IPC), a VHF licence, and at least 5 days or 100 miles as skipper on a yacht of the same size (From the operator, )
What three Split charter bases told us in September 2026. Ask yours in writing before you book.
Next: Hire a skipper with the boat, or take the Croatian exam. Bareboat, skipper or flotilla
What the law says
Yes, yachts up to 18 m
Any boat, and yachts up to 18 m, for private use or bareboat charter, in Croatian waters. The list names the theory certificate on its own (entry 69).
(Official source, )
A foreign licence on the list counts only together with a radio certificate, when the boat has a fixed VHF radio (Official source, )
What a charter base usually asks
Some bases ask for experience as well as the certificate: Sunsail asks for at least 5 days or 100 miles as skipper on a yacht of a similar size (From the operator, )
What three Split charter bases told us in September 2026. Ask yours in writing before you book.
Next: Bring it, and a VHF certificate, to check-in.
What the law says
Yes, yachts up to 18 m
Any boat, and yachts up to 18 m, across the Adriatic (entry 69a).
(Official source, )
A foreign licence on the list counts only together with a radio certificate, when the boat has a fixed VHF radio (Official source, )
What a charter base usually asks
Sunsail and The Moorings ask for a licence on the Ministry's list (at least an ICC, RYA Day Skipper, ASA 103, US Sailing Basic Coastal Cruising, SLC or IPC), a VHF licence, and at least 5 days or 100 miles as skipper on a yacht of the same size (From the operator, )
What three Split charter bases told us in September 2026. Ask yours in writing before you book.
Next: Bring it, and a VHF certificate, to check-in.
What the law says
Yes, within the limits on the card
Any ICC counts if its "valid for" box shows C, for coastal waters. The list names the RYA ICC for sail up to 24 m or 80 gross tonnes, across the Adriatic (entry 68).
(Official source, )
A foreign licence on the list counts only together with a radio certificate, when the boat has a fixed VHF radio (Official source, )
What a charter base usually asks
Sunsail and The Moorings ask for a licence on the Ministry's list (at least an ICC, RYA Day Skipper, ASA 103, US Sailing Basic Coastal Cruising, SLC or IPC), a VHF licence, and at least 5 days or 100 miles as skipper on a yacht of the same size (From the operator, )
What three Split charter bases told us in September 2026. Ask yours in writing before you book.
Next: Bring it, and a VHF certificate, to check-in.
What the law says
Yes, yachts up to 18 m
Any boat, and yachts up to 18 m, across the Adriatic (entry 70).
(Official source, )
A foreign licence on the list counts only together with a radio certificate, when the boat has a fixed VHF radio (Official source, )
What a charter base usually asks
Some bases ask for experience as well as the certificate: Sunsail asks for at least 5 days or 100 miles as skipper on a yacht of a similar size (From the operator, )
What three Split charter bases told us in September 2026. Ask yours in writing before you book.
Next: Bring it, and a VHF certificate, to check-in.
What the law says
Yes, yachts up to 500 GT
Any boat, and yachts up to 500 gross tonnes, across the Adriatic (entry 75).
(Official source, )
A foreign licence on the list counts only together with a radio certificate, when the boat has a fixed VHF radio (Official source, )
What a charter base usually asks
Sunsail and The Moorings ask for a licence on the Ministry's list (at least an ICC, RYA Day Skipper, ASA 103, US Sailing Basic Coastal Cruising, SLC or IPC), a VHF licence, and at least 5 days or 100 miles as skipper on a yacht of the same size (From the operator, )
What three Split charter bases told us in September 2026. Ask yours in writing before you book.
Next: Bring it, and a VHF certificate, to check-in.
What the law says
Yes, yachts up to 500 GT
Any boat, and yachts up to 500 gross tonnes, with no limit on where you sail (entries 76 and 77).
(Official source, )
A foreign licence on the list counts only together with a radio certificate, when the boat has a fixed VHF radio (Official source, )
What a charter base usually asks
Sunsail and The Moorings ask for a licence on the Ministry's list (at least an ICC, RYA Day Skipper, ASA 103, US Sailing Basic Coastal Cruising, SLC or IPC), a VHF licence, and at least 5 days or 100 miles as skipper on a yacht of the same size (From the operator, )
What three Split charter bases told us in September 2026. Ask yours in writing before you book.
Next: Bring it, and a VHF certificate, to check-in.
What the law says
Yes, yachts up to 18 m
Any boat, and yachts up to 18 m, for private use or bareboat charter, in Croatian waters. The list does not limit it to motorboats (entry 72).
(Official source, )
A foreign licence on the list counts only together with a radio certificate, when the boat has a fixed VHF radio (Official source, )
What a charter base usually asks
For a bareboat yacht, charter companies ask for a skipper's certificate, and for someone aboard to hold a VHF radio certificate (From the operator, )
What three Split charter bases told us in September 2026. Ask yours in writing before you book.
Next: Bring it, and a VHF certificate, to check-in.
What the law says
Yes, yachts up to 18 m
Any boat, and yachts up to 18 m, for private use or bareboat charter, in Croatian waters. (entry 143a)
(Official source, )
A foreign licence on the list counts only together with a radio certificate, when the boat has a fixed VHF radio (Official source, )
What a charter base usually asks
Sunsail and The Moorings ask for a licence on the Ministry's list (at least an ICC, RYA Day Skipper, ASA 103, US Sailing Basic Coastal Cruising, SLC or IPC), a VHF licence, and at least 5 days or 100 miles as skipper on a yacht of the same size (From the operator, )
What three Split charter bases told us in September 2026. Ask yours in writing before you book.
Next: Bring it, and a VHF certificate, to check-in.
What the law says
Yes, yachts up to 18 m
Any boat, and yachts up to 18 m, for private use or bareboat charter, in Croatian waters. (entry 140)
(Official source, )
A foreign licence on the list counts only together with a radio certificate, when the boat has a fixed VHF radio (Official source, )
What a charter base usually asks
Sunsail and The Moorings ask for a licence on the Ministry's list (at least an ICC, RYA Day Skipper, ASA 103, US Sailing Basic Coastal Cruising, SLC or IPC), a VHF licence, and at least 5 days or 100 miles as skipper on a yacht of the same size (From the operator, )
What three Split charter bases told us in September 2026. Ask yours in writing before you book.
Next: Bring it, and a VHF certificate, to check-in.
What the law says
Yes, yachts up to 18 m
Any boat, and yachts up to 18 m, for private use or bareboat charter, in Croatian waters. (entry 141)
(Official source, )
A foreign licence on the list counts only together with a radio certificate, when the boat has a fixed VHF radio (Official source, )
What a charter base usually asks
Sunsail and The Moorings ask for a licence on the Ministry's list (at least an ICC, RYA Day Skipper, ASA 103, US Sailing Basic Coastal Cruising, SLC or IPC), a VHF licence, and at least 5 days or 100 miles as skipper on a yacht of the same size (From the operator, )
What three Split charter bases told us in September 2026. Ask yours in writing before you book.
Next: Bring it, and a VHF certificate, to check-in.
What the law says
Yes, yachts up to 18 m
Any boat, and yachts up to 18 m, for private use or bareboat charter, in Croatian waters. (entry 142)
(Official source, )
A foreign licence on the list counts only together with a radio certificate, when the boat has a fixed VHF radio (Official source, )
What a charter base usually asks
Sunsail and The Moorings ask for a licence on the Ministry's list (at least an ICC, RYA Day Skipper, ASA 103, US Sailing Basic Coastal Cruising, SLC or IPC), a VHF licence, and at least 5 days or 100 miles as skipper on a yacht of the same size (From the operator, )
What three Split charter bases told us in September 2026. Ask yours in writing before you book.
Next: Bring it, and a VHF certificate, to check-in.
What the law says
Not recognised
The list names it and says it is not recognised (entry 142).
(Official source, )
What a charter base usually asks
Sunsail and The Moorings ask for a licence on the Ministry's list (at least an ICC, RYA Day Skipper, ASA 103, US Sailing Basic Coastal Cruising, SLC or IPC), a VHF licence, and at least 5 days or 100 miles as skipper on a yacht of the same size (From the operator, )
What three Split charter bases told us in September 2026. Ask yours in writing before you book.
Next: Hire a skipper with the boat, or take the Croatian exam. Bareboat, skipper or flotilla
What the law says
Yes, yachts up to 18 m
Any boat, and yachts up to 18 m, for private use or bareboat charter, in Croatian waters. (entry 143)
(Official source, )
A foreign licence on the list counts only together with a radio certificate, when the boat has a fixed VHF radio (Official source, )
What a charter base usually asks
Sunsail and The Moorings ask for a licence on the Ministry's list (at least an ICC, RYA Day Skipper, ASA 103, US Sailing Basic Coastal Cruising, SLC or IPC), a VHF licence, and at least 5 days or 100 miles as skipper on a yacht of the same size (From the operator, )
What three Split charter bases told us in September 2026. Ask yours in writing before you book.
Next: Bring it, and a VHF certificate, to check-in.
What the law says
Not on the list
None of these is named on the list we read. Ask the Ministry before you book.
(Official source, )
What a charter base usually asks
Sunsail and The Moorings ask for a licence on the Ministry's list (at least an ICC, RYA Day Skipper, ASA 103, US Sailing Basic Coastal Cruising, SLC or IPC), a VHF licence, and at least 5 days or 100 miles as skipper on a yacht of the same size (From the operator, )
What three Split charter bases told us in September 2026. Ask yours in writing before you book.
Next: Hire a skipper with the boat, or take the Croatian exam. Bareboat, skipper or flotilla
What the law says
Yes, within the limits on the card
Any ICC issued under UN Resolution 40 counts for private use or bareboat charter, if its "valid for" box shows C. Its other limits still apply.
(Official source, )
A foreign licence on the list counts only together with a radio certificate, when the boat has a fixed VHF radio (Official source, )
What a charter base usually asks
Sunsail and The Moorings ask for a licence on the Ministry's list (at least an ICC, RYA Day Skipper, ASA 103, US Sailing Basic Coastal Cruising, SLC or IPC), a VHF licence, and at least 5 days or 100 miles as skipper on a yacht of the same size (From the operator, )
What three Split charter bases told us in September 2026. Ask yours in writing before you book.
Next: Bring it, and a VHF certificate, to check-in.
What the law says
Yes, within its category
Croatia's own licence, from an exam at a harbourmaster's office. Its category sets the size of boat and how far out you may go.
(Official source, )
What a charter base usually asks
Sunsail and The Moorings ask for a licence on the Ministry's list (at least an ICC, RYA Day Skipper, ASA 103, US Sailing Basic Coastal Cruising, SLC or IPC), a VHF licence, and at least 5 days or 100 miles as skipper on a yacht of the same size (From the operator, )
What three Split charter bases told us in September 2026. Ask yours in writing before you book.
Next: Bring it to check-in.
What the law says
Find it on the list
The list names more than 150 certificates from about 40 countries, each with the size of boat and the waters it covers.
(Official source, )
A foreign licence on the list counts only together with a radio certificate, when the boat has a fixed VHF radio (Official source, )
What a charter base usually asks
Sunsail and The Moorings ask for a licence on the Ministry's list (at least an ICC, RYA Day Skipper, ASA 103, US Sailing Basic Coastal Cruising, SLC or IPC), a VHF licence, and at least 5 days or 100 miles as skipper on a yacht of the same size (From the operator, )
What three Split charter bases told us in September 2026. Ask yours in writing before you book.
Next: Hold your card against the Ministry's list before you book.
What the law says
No
Experience alone doesn't count. The skipper needs a certificate on the list, or a Croatian licence.
(Official source, )
What a charter base usually asks
The charter company can add a licensed skipper to your booking: Sunsail, The Moorings, Ultra Sailing and Dream Yacht Charter all offer one (From the operator, )
What three Split charter bases told us in September 2026. Ask yours in writing before you book.
Next: Hire a skipper with the boat, or take the Croatian exam. Bareboat, skipper or flotilla
Croatia bareboat charter requirements: law and company rules
People mix these up, and it costs them. The law is the minimum. A charter company can ask for more, because it is renting you its boat. We asked three Split charter bases in September 2026. Get your own company's answer in writing, with the quote, before you book. How to read a charter quote
What the law says
What charter companies ask
Every US, UK and Australian certificate on the list
This is what the Ministry's list lets each certificate do, in plain words. Two terms from Croatian law help. In Croatian law a brodica (boat) is up to 15 m long and a jahta (yacht) is longer, so a typical 12 to 14 m charter yacht counts as a brodica. (Official source, )
Some certificates on the list, such as ASA 103, only cover waters within 6 NM of land. On our Split route, the open crossing from Šolta to Vis takes you up to about 6.7 NM from the nearest land. (Measured by us, )
For UK sailors, the RYA issues the UK ICC. A qualifying practical course certificate, such as Day Skipper practical, or ICC assessments for both the sail and the coastal waters categories can show the required competence. A shorebased course alone validates coastal waters but not the sail category. (From the operator, ) For a Croatia charter, an ICC issued under UN Resolution 40 counts for private use or bareboat charter, if its "valid for" box shows C for coastal waters. Its other limits still apply. (Official source, )
United States
| Certificate | What the law lets you skipper |
|---|---|
| ASA 101 Basic Keelboat Sailing | Not on the listIt isn't one of the certificates the Ministry recognises, so it doesn't let you skipper on its own. |
| ASA 103 Basic Coastal Cruising, or US Sailing Basic Keelboat | Yes, within 6 NM of landBoats up to 15 m, for private use or bareboat charter, within 6 NM of the mainland or an island (entry 36). |
| ASA 104 Bareboat Cruising, or US Sailing Basic Cruising or Bareboat Cruising | Yes, yachts up to 18 mAny boat, and yachts up to 18 m, for private use or bareboat charter, in Croatian waters. (entry 37) |
| ASA 106 Advanced Coastal Cruising, or US Sailing Coastal Navigation or Coastal Passagemaking | Yes, yachts up to 24 mAny boat, and yachts up to 24 m, across the Adriatic, including trips to other countries (entry 38). |
| ASA 108 or US Sailing Offshore Passagemaking | Yes, yachts up to 500 GTAny boat, and yachts up to 500 gross tonnes, with no limit on where you sail (entry 39). |
| ASA International Proficiency Certificate (IPC) | Check the words on your cardThe list names one ASA card: the international proficiency certificate for yacht helmsman navigating in Mediterranean waters. That one covers yachts up to 500 gross tonnes, anywhere (entry 40). |
| NauticEd Sailing License and Credentials (SLC) | Yes, yachts up to 50 GTAny boat, and yachts up to 50 gross tonnes, in Croatian waters (entry 40a). |
United Kingdom
| Certificate | What the law lets you skipper |
|---|---|
| RYA Competent Crew | Not on the listIt is a crew certificate, so it doesn't let you skipper. |
| RYA Day Skipper theory (shorebased) | Yes, yachts up to 18 mAny boat, and yachts up to 18 m, for private use or bareboat charter, in Croatian waters. The list names the theory certificate on its own (entry 69). |
| RYA Day Skipper practical | Yes, yachts up to 18 mAny boat, and yachts up to 18 m, across the Adriatic (entry 69a). |
| RYA ICC for sail, marked C for coastal | Yes, within the limits on the cardAny ICC counts if its "valid for" box shows C, for coastal waters. The list names the RYA ICC for sail up to 24 m or 80 gross tonnes, across the Adriatic (entry 68). |
| RYA Coastal Skipper or Yachtmaster Offshore theory | Yes, yachts up to 18 mAny boat, and yachts up to 18 m, across the Adriatic (entry 70). |
| RYA Coastal Skipper certificate of competence | Yes, yachts up to 500 GTAny boat, and yachts up to 500 gross tonnes, across the Adriatic (entry 75). |
| RYA Yachtmaster Offshore or Ocean | Yes, yachts up to 500 GTAny boat, and yachts up to 500 gross tonnes, with no limit on where you sail (entries 76 and 77). |
| RYA Powerboat Level 2 | Yes, yachts up to 18 mAny boat, and yachts up to 18 m, for private use or bareboat charter, in Croatian waters. The list does not limit it to motorboats (entry 72). |
Australia
| Certificate | What the law lets you skipper |
|---|---|
| NSW General Boat Driving Licence | Yes, yachts up to 18 mAny boat, and yachts up to 18 m, for private use or bareboat charter, in Croatian waters. (entry 143a) |
| Queensland marine licence, with a Marine Licence Verification Certificate | Yes, yachts up to 18 mAny boat, and yachts up to 18 m, for private use or bareboat charter, in Croatian waters. (entry 140) |
| South Australia boat operator's licence | Yes, yachts up to 18 mAny boat, and yachts up to 18 m, for private use or bareboat charter, in Croatian waters. (entry 141) |
| Victoria marine licence | Yes, yachts up to 18 mAny boat, and yachts up to 18 m, for private use or bareboat charter, in Croatian waters. (entry 142) |
| Victoria restricted marine licence | Not recognisedThe list names it and says it is not recognised (entry 142). |
| WA Recreational Skipper's Ticket | Yes, yachts up to 18 mAny boat, and yachts up to 18 m, for private use or bareboat charter, in Croatian waters. (entry 143) |
| A Tasmania, NT or ACT licence, or an Australian Sailing certificate | Not on the listNone of these is named on the list we read. Ask the Ministry before you book. |
Every certificate also needs a VHF radio certificate when the boat has a fixed VHF radio. Entry numbers are the list's own. The Ministry's list (PDF, in Croatian and English)
The VHF radio certificate
Every foreign licence on the list comes with the same condition: it counts only together with a radio certificate, when the boat has a fixed VHF radio. (Official source, )
The list ties the radio certificate to the skipper's licence. (Official source, ) The law ties it to the skipper's licence, and a charter company can't change that. If only another crew member holds one, ask the harbourmaster's office before you book.
Which radio certificate to bring
The list asks for a suitable Croatian or foreign radio certificate. It names no foreign certificate by name. (Official source, ) We asked the Ministry which foreign ones count, and it named the two below. For any other, ask your charter company which one it accepts.
- United States
- We haven't confirmed a US certificate yet. What a sailor told us
- United Kingdom
- The Short Range Certificate (SRC). Croatia and the UK have both used CEPT's common SRC exam (ERC/REC 31-04) since 1 Sep 2009. (Official source, )
- Australia
- For the Australian licences it lists, the Croatian Ministry asks for a suitable national or foreign certificate to operate the boat’s VHF or GMDSS-VHF radio. The table names no single Australian radio certificate. (Official source, )
Using the radio in an emergency: Safety at sea: what to say on the radio.
If your certificate isn't on the list
- Take the Croatian exam
- Croatia's own licence is the voditelj brodice (boat leader), in categories A, B and C. Category B is the usual one for skippering a charter yacht. (Official source, )
- Move up a level
- In the US, ASA 104 or US Sailing Bareboat Cruising is on the list. ASA 101 isn't. In the UK, the Day Skipper practical is. (Official source, )
- Hire a skipper
- Go with a hired skipper, who brings their own papers. The charter company can add a licensed skipper to your booking: Sunsail, The Moorings, Ultra Sailing and Dream Yacht Charter all offer one. (From the operator, ) Bareboat, skipper or flotilla
The crew list, and how many can come
The charter company registers everyone aboard in the Ministry's eCrew system, at the latest when the boat leaves. You give the company everyone's details, and it files them. (Official source, )
How many people can come? Croatian law sets an outer limit by type of boat. A brodica may carry at most 12 passengers, and a jahta up to 12 besides its crew. (Official source, ) A charter company can set a lower limit of its own, so ask before you book. What sailors told us · How many people the boat may take
Not ready to skipper? Hire one
If nobody aboard has a certificate on the list, you can still go, with a hired skipper. What one costs, where the skipper sleeps and what to agree first: Hiring a skipper in Croatia. The charter company can add a licensed skipper to your booking: Sunsail, The Moorings, Ultra Sailing and Dream Yacht Charter all offer one. (From the operator, ) The Ministry's list is for your own sailing only. The list covers boats for private use and boats hired without crew. It does not cover working as a paid skipper. (Official source, )
A skipper also helps if you have the paper but little recent practice, above all with stern-to berthing in a crowded harbour. Bareboat, skipper or flotilla: what experience you need
What sailors told us
What sailors told us charter bases asked of them. We haven't checked these reports with the companies, and they don't count in our checks above. They are never the law.
An American skipper uploaded his FCC Marine Radio Operator Permit to Sunsail's website. At the Dubrovnik base nobody asked for it; he was asked for his ASA IPC card, which lists a VHF endorsement.
Replies disagree on whether bases take ASA 103 alone. Several say ASA 104 is what bases really accept.
You might be lucky, but the charter company was checking both my skipper and radio license while checking in.
A charter company refused a crew list of 10 for a boat with 8 berths, although the boat's papers allowed 10 people in category C. The crew had already paid for the boat and their flights.
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