Boat marks, papers, water skiing and jet skis
1The lesson in plain words
Check your boat’s mark and papers. Water skiing needs E.17; jet skis need E.22, with limited exceptions for access, touring and ski towing.
The official mark
German small craft on federal inland waterways need an official or officially recognised mark (Kennzeichen). Waterways offices issue official marks. A recognised mark is your IBS (Internationaler Bootsschein, international boat certificate) number plus A for ADAC, M for DMYV or S for DSV. Exempt: muscle-only boats, sail-only boats up to 5.5 m, engines up to 2.21 kW, and ship’s tenders, boats serving a larger vessel. Jet skis always need an official mark.
How it is shown
Display the mark on both sides at the bow or stern, or on the transom (the flat stern face). Use contrasting characters at least 10 cm high. Exempt craft need a permanent contrasting name outside, in letters at least 10 cm high, and the owner’s name and address permanently inside or outside. Sailboards and similar craft are excepted. Tenders need only owner identification.
Papers on board
Carry the papers the rules require for your boat: the certificate for its mark and your licence or charter certificate. A motorised hire boat not hired only by the hour also carries the rental-regulation text and a certified copy of its Bootszeugnis, the hire-boat certificate. Show them to the water police on request.
Water skiing and jet skis
Water skiing needs an E.17 stretch; jet-ski riding needs E.22. Outside E.22 areas, a jet ski may take the shortest way from the nearest launch site to a designated area, or make a tour, on a clear straight course. It may also tow a skier on an E.17 stretch. Wait more than one hour before repeating the same or largely the same tour. Check ELWIS for designated stretches.
Gear
There is no universal equipment checklist for ordinary private small craft. Your boat must still be safely equipped under BinSchStrO, including the lights and sound-signalling equipment applicable to it. Hire firms must keep suitable lifejackets in different sizes at their base and provide them free on request, unless the boat certificate already requires them aboard.
Foreign visitors
For up to one year after entry, the exemption requires both a foreign home port and an owner living abroad, with reciprocity: each country accepts the other’s boats on equivalent terms. If home law requires a mark, display it with the nationality identifier. Otherwise show the boat’s name and home port outside in letters at least 10 cm high, and the owner’s name and address permanently inside in a clearly visible place.
2Key data
- Mark exemptions
- Muscle only; sail only ≤ 5.5 m; engine ≤ 2.21 kW; ship’s tenders
- Mark letters
- At least 10 cm high, on both sides or on the transom
- Recognised as a mark
- IBS number plus issuing letter A, M or S
- Water skiing / jet skis
- Skiing: E.17; jet skis: E.22, plus access, touring and E.17 ski towing
- Visiting foreign boats
- Up to one year, subject to foreign-visitor marking conditions
3Key points
- 1
Most German motorboats inland need an official or recognised mark; an IBS mark is its number plus A, M or S.
- 2
Mark exemptions: muscle-only boats, sail-only boats ≤ 5.5 m, engines ≤ 2.21 kW, and ship’s tenders.
- 3
Other exempt craft need a name and owner details. Tenders need owner identification; sailboards and comparable craft are excepted.
- 4
Skiing: E.17. Jet skis: E.22, plus permitted straight-course access/touring and ski towing on E.17 stretches.
- 5
No universal checklist: BinSchStrO still requires safe equipment, including applicable lights and sound-signalling equipment.
4Frequent mistakes
Wrong: My 3 kW outboard boat needs no mark because it is below the licence threshold.
Right: Only engines up to 2.21 kW are exempt. With 3 kW the boat needs an official or recognised mark, unless it is a ship's tender.
Wrong: A jet ski may ride anywhere on the river outside the shipping lane.
Right: Jet skis need E.22, except the shortest way from the nearest launch site to a designated area, or touring, on a clear straight course, and ski towing on E.17 stretches. Wait more than one hour before repeating the same or largely the same tour.
5Practice case & exam keys
You buy a used 5 m boat with a petrol outboard rated at 11.0 kW in Brandenburg. You want to tow your kids on a water ski on the Havel. The seller says no mark or paperwork is needed below the licence threshold. Is that right?
Show the answer
No. The 11.0 kW petrol engine is below the licence threshold, but above the 2.21 kW marking exemption. Get an official or recognised mark and carry its certificate. Water skiing is allowed only on stretches marked E.17; check ELWIS for the Havel.
Exam keys
- KlFzKV-BinSch: official or recognised mark; exempt muscle-only boats, sail-only ≤ 5.5 m, engine ≤ 2.21 kW, ship’s tenders.
- BinSchStrO § 2.02: other exempt craft carry a permanent contrasting name outside, letters ≥ 10 cm; owner’s name and address permanently inside or outside. Sailboards and comparable craft excepted; tenders need owner identification.
- § 1.10: papers on board, including the mark certificate and licence.
- Skiing: E.17. Jet skis: E.22, plus shortest way from the nearest launch site to a designated area, or touring, on a clear straight course, and ski towing on E.17. More than one hour between the same or largely the same tours.
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