IALACOLREG
Academy
All countries

Bahamas

Who issues it
Port Department and the relevant port authority for local boat licensing. Bahamas Maritime Authority for seafarer certificates.
Buoyage
IALA region B

Do you need a licence?

Current private-boating licence and age requirements could not be fully confirmed. The Port Department requires licences for commercial boating.

Professional deck titles

  1. Rating forming part of a Navigational Watch

    STCW II/4
    What it lets you do
    Deck rating trained to support the navigational watch.
    Where to study
    Study it in Academy

  2. Able Seafarer Deck

    STCW II/5
    What it lets you do
    Deck rating trained in watch support, mooring, cargo handling and maintenance.
    Where to study
    Study it in Academy

  3. Officer in Charge of a Navigational Watch (near-coastal and unlimited grades)

    STCW II/3, II/1
    What it lets you do
    II/3 covers ships under 500 GT near-coastal. II/1 is the unlimited watchkeeping grade.
    Where to study
    Study it in Academy

  4. Master (near-coastal and Bahamas local-water grades)

    STCW II/3
    What it lets you do
    Commands ships under 500 GT near-coastal. A separate under-3,000 GT grade covers Bahamas local waters.
    Where to study
    Study it in Academy

  5. Chief Mate (limited and unrestricted grades)

    STCW II/2
    What it lets you do
    Grades cover under 3,000 GT near-coastal or worldwide, over 3,000 GT near-coastal, and unrestricted service.
    Where to study
    Study it in Academy

  6. Master (limited and unrestricted grades)

    STCW II/2
    What it lets you do
    Grades cover under 500 GT worldwide, 500–3,000 GT, over 500 GT near-coastal, and unrestricted service.
    Where to study
    Study it in Academy

Radio certificates

  1. GMDSS Radio Operator Certificate of Competency

    What it lets you do
    BMA certification for STCW IV/2 radio duties on Bahamian ships.
    Where to study
    Study it in Academy

Ready to study for it?

The Academy is free with an account: lessons for every topic, timed mocks marked like the real exam, and your progress saved.

Study the theory in the Academy See the Exam Pass

Official sources: Government of The Bahamas — Water Skiing and Motor Boat Control Act, 2025 reprint · Port Department — Boating Laws & Safe Practices, Volume 1, 2024, pages 31–32 · Bahamas Maritime Authority — Marine Notice 14, sections 7–12 and deck progression chart · Bahamas Maritime Authority — Marine Notice 22, GMDSS Radio Operators, Able Seafarers and Ratings · Government of The Bahamas — Commercial Recreational Watercraft Act, 2025 reprint · US National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency — Sailing Directions, Publication 140, Bahamas buoyage · Bahamas Maritime Authority — Merchant Shipping (Training, Certification, Manning and Watchkeeping) Regulations, 2026 · Bahamas Maritime Authority — Marine Notice 20, version 1.1, effective 1 January 2026