Estonia
- Who issues it
- Transpordiamet [Estonian Transport Administration]; competition licences: the relevant sports federation.
- Minimum age
- 15 years
- Buoyage
- IALA region A
- Collision rules
- Rahvusvaheline laevakokkupõrgete vältimise eeskiri (COLREG)
Do you need a licence?
Usually yes, for a leisure boat from 2.5 to 24 metres you need a skipper certificate or skipper education.
You don't need one for:
- a boat up to 25 kW or 25 square metres of sail, in daylight and good visibility, within 5 nautical miles at sea or 9 kilometres inland from shore
- if you are under 15, a boat up to 10 kW or 20 square metres of sail within 1 nautical mile at sea or 2 kilometres inland from shore, under a legal representative's responsibility
A skipper certificate starts at 15. All distances are from shore.
Võistluslitsents (jeti võistlus ja treening) · Sports federation licence for jet-ski competition and training
- What it lets you do
- You can use federation-marked jet skis only for competition or training. If you are under 15, you also need your legal representative's consent.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Jetijuhi tunnistus · Personal watercraft operator certificate
From 15- What it lets you do
- You can operate jet skis from 15. A recreational skipper certificate also lets you do this.
- How you get it
- The theory test has at least 30 questions and you need at least 85% correct. You must learn practical skills with an instructor appointed by an authorised provider.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Väikelaevajuhi tunnistus (siseveed) · Recreational craft skipper certificate — inland waters endorsement
From 15
- What it lets you do
- You can skipper recreational boats from 2.5 to 24 metres on inland waters. This is an endorsement on the national skipper certificate.
- How you get it
- The theory test has at least 30 questions and you need at least 85% correct, plus accepted chartwork. You also need a practical-skills assessment.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Väikelaevajuhi tunnistus (meri ja siseveed) · Recreational craft skipper certificate — sea and inland waters endorsement
From 15- What it lets you do
- You can skipper recreational boats from 2.5 to 24 metres at sea and on inland waters. This is an endorsement on the same national certificate.
- How you get it
- You need at least 30 theory questions, at least 85% correct, accepted chartwork and a practical assessment. If you hold the inland version, take extra sea theory to upgrade.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Professional deck titles
Vahimadruse tunnistus
STCW II/4- What it lets you do
- You are qualified as a deck rating to take part in a navigational watch.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Vanemmadruse tunnistus
STCW II/5- What it lets you do
- You hold the qualification to work as an able seafarer deck.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Väiksema kui 500-se kogumahutavusega laeva vahitüürimehe diplom
STCW II/3- What it lets you do
- You can serve as a watchkeeping officer on ships under 500 GT on near-coastal voyages.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
500-se ja suurema kogumahutavusega laeva vahitüürimehe diplom
STCW II/1- What it lets you do
- You can be a navigational watchkeeping officer on ships of any tonnage.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
3000-se ja suurema kogumahutavusega laeva vanemtüürimehe diplom
STCW II/2- What it lets you do
- You can serve as chief mate on ships of any tonnage.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
3000-se ja suurema kogumahutavusega laeva kapteni diplom
STCW II/2- What it lets you do
- You can be master on ships of any tonnage in any trading area, subject to the accompanying endorsement.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Radio certificates
Väikelaeva raadiosideoperaatori tunnistus
SRC- What it lets you do
- You can use VHF radio on recreational craft, including DSC distress and safety calls.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Piirangutega raadiosideoperaatori tunnistus
ROC- What it lets you do
- You can operate ship radio in GMDSS sea area A1.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Raadiosideoperaatori tunnistus
GOC- What it lets you do
- You can operate ship radio in GMDSS sea areas A1, A2, A3 and A4.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Teise klassi raadioelektrooniku diplom
- What it lets you do
- You can carry out radio-electronics duties on passenger ships in GMDSS sea areas A1 and A2, and on cargo ships in any GMDSS area.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Esimese klassi raadioelektrooniku diplom
- What it lets you do
- You can carry out radio-electronics duties on ships in any GMDSS area.
- 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.
Official sources: Transpordiamet — Väikelaeva- ja jetijuhi tunnistus · Riigi Teataja — Väikelaevajuhi teadmiste ja oskuste ning väljaõppe nõuded, eksamineerimise, tunnistuse taotlemise ja väljastamise kord ning tunnistuse vorm · Riigi Teataja — Laevapere liikmete koolitus- ja kvalifikatsiooninõuded ning diplomeerimise kord (effective 1 January 2025) · Riigi Teataja — Meresõiduohutuse seadus, §§ 2, 37, 39 and 39¹ · Riigi Teataja — Jeti ohutu kasutamise ja jetijuhi ettevalmistamise nõuded, eksamineerimise, tunnistuse taotlemise ja väljastamise kord ning tunnistuse vorm · Transpordiamet — Navigatsioonimärgid Eesti vetes / List of Lights Estonia (1 April 2024)