Natante, imbarcazione, nave: how far each may go
1The lesson in plain words
Italy sorts pleasure craft by length. A small natante has short legal limits, while a registered imbarcazione goes as far as her papers allow.
The law
Italian pleasure boating follows the Codice della nautica da diporto (Legislative Decree 171/2005, as amended) and its implementing Regolamento (Ministerial Decree 146/2008). Decree 133/2024 updated the Regolamento from 21 October 2024. The Guardia Costiera (the Capitanerie di porto, or harbour authorities) enforces it at sea. A nautical mile (NM) is 1,852 m.
Three classes by length
A natante is up to 10 m hull length. An imbarcazione is over 10 m and up to 24 m. A nave da diporto is over 24 m. Imbarcazioni and navi must enter the central online register (ATCN). Natanti need no registration, navigation licence or safety certificate. You may register one voluntarily; it then follows the imbarcazione rules.
Natanti limits
CE marking means compliance with applicable EU product standards. A natante without CE marking may go 6 NM from the nearest coast, or 12 NM if type-approved or certified for it. A CE-marked natante follows its design category, but never beyond 12 NM. Pedalos, small canoes, kayaks, boards and sailboats up to 4 m² of sail stay within 1 NM. Jet skis (moto d'acqua) stay within 1 NM of the coast, subject to local restrictions.
Imbarcazioni
A registered boat goes as far as her navigation licence allows. A non-CE boat is licensed either within 6 NM or without limit. The design category describes the wind and waves the hull was built for; it is not by itself a legal distance limit.
Tenders
A tender is a small boat serving a larger mother boat. If it is a natante, it may travel up to 1 NM from the coast or mother boat without the normal safety kit or liferaft. Still carry a lifejacket for each person. Beyond that limit, carry the normal kit for the distance.
2Key data
- Natante
- Hull up to 10 m; no registration needed
- Imbarcazione
- Over 10 m to 24 m; registered in the ATCN
- Natante without CE
- 6 NM; 12 NM if approved or certified
- CE natante
- Design category, never beyond 12 NM
- Jet ski, pedalo, board
- 1 NM from the coast
- Tender
- 1 NM from the coast or her mother boat
3Key points
- 1
Natante ≤ 10 m, imbarcazione > 10 to 24 m, nave > 24 m.
- 2
Only imbarcazioni and navi must be registered and hold a navigation licence.
- 3
A natante never goes beyond 12 NM; a non-CE natante is limited to 6 NM unless certified.
- 4
Jet skis, pedalos and boards stay within 1 NM of the coast.
- 5
The Regolamento was updated by Decree 133/2024, in force since 21 October 2024.
4Frequent mistakes
Wrong: My CE category A natante may travel 20 NM from the nearest coast.
Right: A natante remains limited to 12 NM whatever its design category. If you register it, follow the resulting navigation licence and its limits.
Wrong: The design category tells me how far from the coast I may go.
Right: It tells you the wind and sea the boat was built for. The legal limit comes from the boat class and its papers.
5Practice case & exam keys
Your unregistered 8.5 m CE category B motorboat faces a direct crossing between shores 30 NM apart, with no intervening islands. May you make it?
Show the answer
No. Midway you would be 15 NM from either coast, beyond the natante's 12 NM limit. Category B does not remove that cap. Choose another route that remains within 12 NM, or arrange registration and an appropriate navigation licence before attempting this crossing.
Exam keys
- Natante ≤ 10 m (no ATCN, no navigation licence); imbarcazione > 10 to 24 m; nave > 24 m.
- Non-CE natante: 6 NM (12 NM if certified); CE natante: category, max 12 NM.
- Jet skis, pedalos, boards: 1 NM; tender: 1 NM from coast or mother boat.
- Codice D.Lgs. 171/2005; Regolamento DM 146/2008 as amended by DM 133/2024.
Finish this unit
When you've read it, answer three questions. Get all three right to finish the unit; opening the page alone doesn't count.
My notes for this unit
No notes