Mexico
- Who issues it
- Secretaría de Marina (SEMAR), Dirección General de Marina Mercante [Secretariat of the Navy, Directorate-General of the Merchant Marine]; Capitanías de Puerto [Harbour Masters' Offices].
- Buoyage
- IALA region B
- Collision rules
- Reglamento Internacional para Prevenir los Abordajes en el Mar
Do you need a licence?
Yes, recreational skippers need Level I, II or III according to the boat's length.
Level I covers up to 6 metres, Level II 15 metres and Level III 24 metres; above 24 metres you need at least Piloto Naval training. Sailing has extra credential rules, and the 10 hp registration exemption does not waive skipper certification.
Certificado de competencia para patrón de embarcaciones de recreo y deportivas nivel I · Level I recreational and sports boat skipper certificate
- What it lets you do
- You can operate recreational and sports boats up to 6 metres long.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Certificado de competencia para patrón de embarcaciones de recreo y deportivas nivel II · Level II recreational and sports boat skipper certificate
- What it lets you do
- You can operate recreational and sports boats up to 15 metres long.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Libreta de Mar clase C — patrón marinero turístico · Class C seafarer's book — tourism boat skipper
- What it lets you do
- You need this for recreational sailing boats up to 15 metres under Article 154. As the owner, you must also obtain the appropriate skipper certificate under Article 155.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Certificado de competencia especial para patrón de yate o patrón de embarcaciones de recreo y deportivas nivel III · Special yacht skipper or Level III recreational and sports boat skipper certificate
- What it lets you do
- You can operate recreational and sports boats up to 24 metres long. It is also the sailing credential for boats over 15 metres and up to 24 metres.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Professional deck titles
Timonel
STCW II/4- What it lets you do
- Deck rating qualified to take part in a navigational watch.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Marinero de Primera de Puente
STCW II/5- What it lets you do
- Able seafarer deck qualification at support level.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Patrón de Costa
STCW II/3- What it lets you do
- Coastal skipper qualification; training follows STCW II/3.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Piloto Naval
STCW II/1- What it lets you do
- Officer in charge of a navigational watch on seagoing ships of 500 GT or more.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Capitán
STCW II/2- What it lets you do
- Chief mate on ships of 500 GT or more.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Capitán de Altura
STCW II/2- What it lets you do
- Master of ships of 500 GT or more.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Radio certificates
Operador Restringido del SMSSM
ROC- What it lets you do
- Restricted GMDSS operator certificate; approved training and medical fitness are required.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Operador General del SMSSM
GOC- What it lets you do
- General GMDSS operator for maritime distress and safety communications.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Radio Operador
- What it lets you do
- Shipboard radio officer; requires a telecoms licence and the general GMDSS certificate.
- 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: Secretaría de Gobernación — Reglamento de la Ley de Navegación y Comercio Marítimos, Arts. 150–155, 170, 179, 183, 195, 222–223, 615, 624 and 652 · Secretaría de Marina — Manual de Servicios al Público, October 2025; recreational certificates and Marinero de Primera de Puente, printed pp. 418–419, 442–443 and 448–451 · Universidad Marítima y Portuaria de México — Cursos de Actualización: Piloto Naval, Capitán and Capitán de Altura · Secretaría de Marina, official copy of SCT publication — Cuaderno de Faros: Golfo de México y Mar Caribe, maritime buoyage principles · FIDENA, Centro de Educación Náutica de Campeche — Course catalogue: Timonel (STCW II/4) and Patrón de Costa (STCW II/3) · Secretaría de Marina — SEMAR-05-009-A, Timonel: first issue of the Class A seafarer credential