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Croatia

Who issues it
Ministarstvo mora, prometa i infrastrukture [Ministry of the Sea, Transport and Infrastructure] and lučke kapetanije [harbour master's offices].
Minimum age
15 years
Buoyage
IALA region A
Collision rules
Međunarodna pravila o izbjegavanju sudara na moru

Do you need a licence?

At sea, you need a qualified skipper for a boat over 2.5 metres or over 5 kW, and for a yacht.

You don't need one for:

  • a private rowing boat with an operator over 12

Sea category A starts at 15 and B at 16, but over 15 kW requires 18. Inland A and B licences are separate; inland jet skis and planing boats require B and age 18.

  1. Voditelj brodice kategorije A · Boat skipper category A

    From 15
    What it lets you do
    You can use private sea boats up to 7 metres and 15 kW within 6 nautical miles of mainland or island shores in areas IIIa to IIIc, as well as sheltered area IV.
    How you get it
    You take an oral assessment, a written assessment, or both, with 70 percent needed if it is written. The syllabus includes chartwork and demonstrations of collision rules.
    Where to study
    Read the guideStudy it in Academy

  2. Voditelj čamca kategorije A · Inland boat operator category A

    From 15
    What it lets you do
    You can use non-commercial inland boats up to 7 metres and 15 kW.
    How you get it
    You take an individual oral exam with a 75 percent pass mark. It covers navigation rules, boat handling and engines.
    Where to study
    Study it in Academy

  3. Voditelj brodice kategorije B · Boat skipper category B

    From 16
    What it lets you do
    You can use private or bareboat sea boats up to 15 metres and yachts up to 18 metres in area III, within 12 nautical miles of shore, and in sheltered area IV.
    How you get it
    You take an oral assessment, a written assessment, or both, with 70 percent needed if it is written. It covers navigation, engines, rules, safety and radio.
    Where to study
    Read the guideFree mock exam · 30 questionsStudy it in Academy

  4. Voditelj čamca kategorije B · Inland boat operator category B

    From 16
    What it lets you do
    You can use inland boats up to 20 metres with any engine power, and private sea boats in area III. For inland jet skis and planing boats, you need to be 18.
    How you get it
    You take an individual oral exam with a 75 percent pass mark. It covers navigation, engines, weather, rules, handling, safety and radio.
    Where to study
    Study it in Academy

  5. Međunarodna svjedodžba za upravljanje rekreacijskim plovilom · International certificate for operators of pleasure craft (ICC)

    What it lets you do
    This optional ICC is for you if you passed Croatia's inland boat-operator exam. It keeps the limits of your existing licence.
    How you get it
    You need medical evidence and a practical handling test. If you qualified before these rules took effect, you are exempt from the practical test.
    Where to study
    Study it in Academy

  6. Voditelj brodice kategorije C · Boat skipper category C

    From 18
    What it lets you do
    You can use sea boats up to 15 metres and yachts up to 18 metres, including in offshore areas I and II and on crewed charter. The required crew must also be aboard.
    How you get it
    You complete approved training with 6 hours afloat, then take oral theory, written theory, or both, with 70 percent needed if it is written. You also take a practical exam with a voyage.
    Where to study
    Read the guideStudy it in Academy

  7. Zapovjednik jahte kategorije A · Yacht master category A

    From 18
    What it lets you do
    You can skipper yachts up to 24 metres in all navigation areas under the current crew rules. The required crew must also be aboard.
    How you get it
    You need training or an accepted degree, oral or written theory with 70 percent needed if it is written, and a practical voyage. The standard course includes 25 hours afloat.
    Where to study
    Study it in Academy

  8. Zapovjednik jahte kategorije B · Yacht master category B

    From 20
    What it lets you do
    You can skipper yachts up to 500 GT in all navigation areas. You also need the required crew and extra safety certificates.
    How you get it
    You need training or an accepted degree, oral or written theory with 70 percent needed if it is written, and a practical voyage. The course includes 40 hours afloat unless you are exempt.
    Where to study
    Study it in Academy

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Official sources: Narodne novine — Pravilnik o brodicama i jahtama (NN 27/2005; retained licensing and crew provisions, with amendments) · Narodne novine — Pravilnik o izmjenama i dopunama Pravilnika o brodicama i jahtama (NN 57/2006) · Narodne novine — Pravilnik o brodicama, čamcima i jahtama (NN 13/2020; especially Articles 4, 5, 37 and 48) · Narodne novine — Pravilnik o zvanjima i svjedodžbama o osposobljenosti pomoraca (NN 130/2013; Article 6 and radio certificates) · Narodne novine — Pravilnik o posadi plovila i plutajućih objekata unutarnje plovidbe (NN 116/2022; inland licences, ICC and radio) · Narodne novine — Pravilnik o izmjenama i dopunama Pravilnika o brodicama i jahtama (NN 137/2013; current C and yacht-master A syllabuses)