India
- Who issues it
- State-appointed Chief Examiners and designated authorities for inland certificates; Himachal Pradesh Department of Tourism & Civil Aviation and Goa Department of Tourism for watersports registration; National Institute of Water Sports (NIWS) or approved agencies for boat-handling qualifications; Directorate General of Maritime Administration (DGMA) for seagoing certificates; Wireless Planning and Coordination Wing, Department of Telecommunications, for radio certificates.
- Buoyage
- IALA region A
Do you need a licence?
It depends on the prescribed crew rules for your vessel and local navigation and port rules.
DGS Order 7 of 2016 makes private owners responsible for safe manning. Inland vessels need prescribed crew, and for craft under 10 metres the designated authority sets manning.
Inland Master Class 3 or Serang Certificate
From 21
- What it lets you do
- National inland crew grade: master of Category A/B motorised vessels below 500 GT. Manning for boats under 10 m is decided locally.
- How you get it
- Written and oral examinations.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Inland Master Class 2 Certificate
- What it lets you do
- National inland crew grade: master of Category A/B motorised vessels from 500 GT to below 1,600 GT.
- How you get it
- Written and oral examinations.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Inland Master Class 1 Certificate
- What it lets you do
- National inland crew grade: master of Category A/B motorised vessels of 1,600 GT or more.
- How you get it
- Written and oral examinations.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Himachal Pradesh Boatman Certificate of Registration
From 21- What it lets you do
- Boatman for watersports in approved areas; requires recognised basic and advanced watersports courses and first-aid certification.
- How you get it
- Technical Committee practical and physical tests or trials assess skills and medical fitness.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Himachal Pradesh Motor Boat Driver Certificate of Registration
From 21- What it lets you do
- Watersports motorboat driver in approved areas; also needs a Himachal Pradesh motorboat driving licence and NIWS powerboat-handling certificate.
- How you get it
- Technical Committee practical and physical tests or trials assess skills and medical fitness.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Goa Licence to Operate Boat (NIWS / Approved Agency)
- What it lets you do
- Boat-operation qualification needed for Goa watersports registration, alongside a lifesaving certificate and other required approvals.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Ladakh Jet Ski Ride by Customers Independently
From 18- What it lets you do
- Independent customer rides after familiarization with an NIWS-certified jet-ski instructor, with completion recorded on the indemnity bond.
- How you get it
- A short familiarization lesson using the NIWS checklist; completion is recorded on the indemnity bond.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
More exam guides
Second Mate (FG) — India COLREG study and oral practice
Prepare your Second Mate rules-of-the-road explanations by linking each COLREG rule to the encounter, vessel lights and sound signals you observe.
Professional deck titles
Navigational Watchkeeping Officer (NCV)
STCW II/1- What it lets you do
- Navigation watch officer on ships of 500 GT or more on near-coastal voyages, within certificate limits.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Second Mate of a Foreign Going Ship
STCW II/1- What it lets you do
- Navigation watch officer on ships of 500 GT or more on international voyages.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Chief Mate of a Near Coastal Voyage Ship
STCW II/2- What it lets you do
- Chief mate on ships from 500 to 6,000 GT in near-coastal voyage areas, within certificate limits.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
First Mate (Chief Mate) of a Foreign Going Ship
STCW II/2- What it lets you do
- Chief mate on ships of 500 GT or more on international voyages, within certificate limits.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Master of a Near Coastal Voyage Ship
STCW II/2- What it lets you do
- Master on ships from 500 to 6,000 GT in near-coastal voyage areas, within certificate limits.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Master of a Foreign Going Ship
STCW II/2- What it lets you do
- Master on ships of 500 GT or more on international voyages, within certificate limits.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Radio certificates
GMDSS Restricted Operator Certificate
ROC- What it lets you do
- Operate shipboard GMDSS radio equipment on ships operating only in Sea Area A1.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
GMDSS General Operator Certificate
GOC- What it lets you do
- Operate shipboard GMDSS radio equipment, including for voyages in Sea Areas A2, A3 and A4.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Ready to study for it?
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Official sources: Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways / Kerala Maritime Board — Inland Vessels (Manning) Rules, 2022 · Government of Himachal Pradesh / NITI for States — Himachal Pradesh Water Sports and Allied Activities Rules, 2021 · Government of Goa — Registration/Renewal of Watersports Activities · Department of Tourism, Union Territory of Ladakh — Adventure Activity Guidelines, Jet Ski Guidelines and Regulations · Directorate General of Maritime Administration — Nautical Examinations · Department of Telecommunications — Telecommunications (Commercial Radio Operator Certificate of Proficiency to Operate Global Maritime Distress and Safety System) Rules, 2024 · Directorate General of Maritime Administration — Safety of Navigation · Directorate General of Shipping — Nautical Wing / SAFEMAN Circular No. 2 of 2014: Revision of tonnage limits for Home Trade Certificates of Competency