What the Navy checks, local rules and fines
1The lesson in plain words
Inspectors check papers, equipment and alcohol. Follow local beach limits and IALA region B buoyage.
Inspeção Naval
The Inspeção Naval (Navy inspection) enforces the LESTA (Law 9,537 of 1997, on waterway traffic safety) and its regulation, the RLESTA. Inspectors from the Capitania check the CHA against the area you are in, the TIE or PRPM as applicable, the gear for the boat's classification and the number of people. They also check the EPIRB's battery and registration where one is required. Breaking the RLESTA can bring fines, and a CHA can be suspended for up to 12 months.
Alcohol
Inspectors can breath-test the skipper. 0.25 mg per litre of breath, or 0.05 % in the blood, counts as drunkenness. The skipper is stopped from sailing, the CHA can be suspended for up to 120 days, and a repeat offence cancels it. The case also goes to the police. Refusing the test brings a fine or a suspension of up to 30 days. Without another qualified skipper, the boat is held.
Beaches
Normally, motorboats keep 200 m from the base line: breaking waves, or the water’s edge on lakes and rivers. Sail and oar craft keep 100 m. Use an authorised launching or landing area; cross the beach strip perpendicular to the base line below 3 knots. An anchoring approach is allowed only where not locally prohibited. Check NPCP limits: the Capitania sets local distances where these cannot apply. Keep 200 m from military installations.
Buoyage and rules
Brazil is in IALA region B: entering from sea, red lateral marks are on your starboard (right) side and green on port (left). The collision rules are the RIPEAM (Brazil's name for the COLREG). Local NPCP rules can add speed limits, anchorages and closed areas.
Foreign yachts
A foreign-flag yacht reports to the Capitania within 24 hours of arriving, with a Declaração de Entrada (entry declaration). Health, Federal Police and Customs must clear the boat first. Be ready for inspection within 48 hours after presenting the declaration. Give at least 24 hours’ notice of changes to the declared itinerary and of departure from Brazil.
2Key data
- Alcohol limit
- 0.25 mg/L breath or 0.05 % blood = drunkenness
- Penalty for drunk skippering
- CHA suspended up to 120 days; cancelled if repeated
- Beach distance (from base line)
- Normally: motor 200 m; sail and oar 100 m. Check NPCP limits.
- Beach transit
- Authorised access: perpendicular to base line, below 3 knots
- IALA region
- B: red to starboard entering from sea
- Foreign yacht entry
- Report within 24 h; visit within 48 h after declaration
3Key points
- 1
Inspectors check your CHA for the actual area, the TIE or PRPM, the gear for the boat’s classification and the number on board.
- 2
0.25 mg/L breath or 0.05 % blood means drunk: CHA suspended up to 120 days.
- 3
Normally motorboats stay 200 m off, sail/oar 100 m; cross the beach strip on authorised routes at right angles below 3 knots.
- 4
IALA region B: red marks to starboard when entering from sea.
4Frequent mistakes
Wrong: Red lateral marks stay to port entering a Brazilian harbour, as in Europe.
Right: Brazil uses IALA region B: entering from sea, keep red marks to starboard and green to port.
Wrong: Refusing the breath test avoids a penalty.
Right: Refusal is an offence in itself: a group C fine or a suspension of up to 30 days, and you cannot keep skippering.
Wrong: You may approach a beach to drop friends off at any speed if no one is swimming.
Right: Use the authorised launching or landing area. Cross the beach strip at right angles to the base line, below 3 knots; check NPCP limits.
5Practice case & exam keys
In an NPCP-designated inland area near Angra dos Reis, you motor parallel to a bathing beach, 150 m from the breaking waves, outside any authorised transit route. Your breath test reads 0.30 mg/L. Your sober friend holds a valid ARA. What happens?
Show the answer
Two offences: normal motorboat navigation is at least 200 m from the base line, and 0.30 mg/L exceeds the alcohol threshold. Inspectors stop you skippering and refer the alcohol case to police. CHA suspension up to 120 days may follow the administrative decision. Your friend’s valid ARA covers these inland waters; they may take over after passing a breath test and inspectors clearing the boat to proceed.
Exam keys
- Drunkenness: ≥ 0.25 mg/L breath or ≥ 0.05 % blood; CHA suspended up to 120 days, cancelled if repeated.
- Refusing the test: group C fine or CHA suspension up to 30 days.
- Normal beach distances: motor 200 m, sail/oar 100 m from base line. Authorised transit: perpendicular, below 3 knots. Check NPCP.
- IALA region B: red to starboard entering from sea; collision rules are the RIPEAM.
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