The carta de navegador de recreio
1The lesson in plain words
To command a boat in Portugal you need the right carta de navegador de recreio. EU licences are recognised automatically.
Five categories
The carta de navegador de recreio (recreational navigator's licence) has five categories. Marinheiro Júnior: up to 6 m and 4.5 kW, by day, within 1 NM of the low-water line and 3 NM of shelter. Marinheiro: by day, within 3 NM of the coast and 10 NM of shelter. Patrão Local: coast in sight, within 6 NM of the coast and 25 NM of shelter. Patrão de Costa: within 40 NM of the coast. Patrão de Alto-Mar: unlimited.
Age limits on Marinheiro
From 16 to 18, a Marinheiro may command boats up to 6 m and 22.5 kW, and jet skis and motorised boards of any power. From 18, the limit is boats up to 12 m with engine power within the boat’s certified limit.
Who can apply
Marinheiro Júnior starts at 8, Marinheiro at 16, the others at 18. Under-18s need parental consent. You must read, write and swim, with a medical certificate issued within six months before exam admission. Costa and Alto-Mar candidates also need the compulsory level of schooling. Each carta has theory and practical exams. You can apply directly for Patrão de Costa or Patrão de Alto-Mar without holding another carta.
Validity and radio
Since 2019 a carta stays valid until age 70. It is then renewed every five years, and every two years from 80. Patrão Local, Patrão de Costa and Patrão de Alto-Mar also allow you to operate radio equipment under the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS). In the Azores and Madeira, Patrão Local or Patrão de Costa holders can get approval for inter-island trips beyond their normal limits.
Visitors
Licences issued by EU member states are recognised automatically; no Portuguese carta is needed. The DGRM can recognise a third-country licence issued on similar terms. Recognition does not extend your licence’s limits.
2Key data
- Marinheiro Júnior
- ≤ 6 m, 4.5 kW; day; 1 NM from low water, 3 NM from shelter
- Marinheiro
- Day; 3 NM from coast, 10 NM from shelter
- Patrão Local
- Coast in sight; ≤6 NM from coast and ≤25 NM from shelter
- Patrão de Costa / Alto-Mar
- 40 NM from the coast / no limit
- Minimum ages
- 8 (Júnior), 16 (Marinheiro), 18 (others)
- Renewal
- At 70, then every 5 years; every 2 years from 80
3Key points
- 1
Five cartas: Marinheiro Júnior, Marinheiro, Patrão Local, Patrão de Costa, Patrão de Alto-Mar.
- 2
Marinheiro and Júnior: daytime only. Patrão Local: coast in sight, within 6 NM of coast and 25 NM of shelter.
- 3
Candidates must be able to swim; ages 8, 16 and 18.
- 4
EU licences are recognised automatically; renewal starts only at age 70.
4Frequent mistakes
Wrong: You must hold Patrão Local before you can take Patrão de Costa.
Right: Since DL 93/2018, Patrão de Costa and Patrão de Alto-Mar no longer require the category below.
Wrong: A Spanish PER holder needs a Portuguese carta to skipper in Portugal.
Right: Licences issued by EU member states are recognised automatically in Portugal.
5Practice case & exam keys
A 17-year-old with a Marinheiro carta wants to take her family's 7 m motorboat with a 40 kW outboard 2 NM along the coast during daylight. Her 19-year-old brother, also a Marinheiro, offers to skipper instead. Who may go, and when?
Show the answer
She may not: from 16 to 18 a Marinheiro is limited to boats up to 6 m and 22.5 kW. Her brother, over 18, may command boats up to 12 m with engine power within the boat’s certified limit. But Marinheiro is a daytime carta, so he must be back before sunset. He must also stay within 3 NM of the coast and 10 NM of a port of shelter.
Exam keys
- Marinheiro Júnior: from 8; ≤ 6 m, 4.5 kW; day; 1 NM from low-water line, 3 NM from shelter.
- Marinheiro: from 16; day; 3 NM from coast, 10 NM from shelter; 16–18 limited to 6 m and 22.5 kW.
- Patrão Local: coast in sight, within 6 NM of coast and 25 NM of shelter; Costa: 40 NM from coast; Alto-Mar: unlimited.
- Renew from 70 every 5 years, from 80 every 2 years; EU licences recognised automatically.
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