Panama
- Who issues it
- Autoridad Marítima de Panamá [Panama Maritime Authority], Dirección General de la Gente de Mar [General Directorate of Seafarers]; Autoridad del Canal de Panamá [Panama Canal Authority], Junta de Inspectores [Board of Inspectors] for Canal certificates.
- Buoyage
- IALA region B
- Collision rules
- Reglamento Internacional para Prevenir los Abordajes de 1972
Do you need a licence?
Yes, Panamanian-flag pleasure boats in national waters need a pleasure-skipper licence.
AMP lists classes for boats under 8 metres, 8 to 20 metres and over 20 metres. Canal waters need separate operator certificates, and bareboat chartering needs a temporary permit.
Patrón de Nave de Placer de 3ra. Clase · Third-class pleasure boat skipper
- What it lets you do
- You can skipper Panamanian-flag pleasure boats under 8 metres in Panamanian jurisdictional waters.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Patrón de Nave de Placer de 2da. Clase · Second-class pleasure boat skipper
- What it lets you do
- You can skipper Panamanian-flag pleasure boats from 8 to 20 metres in Panamanian jurisdictional waters.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Patrón de Nave de Placer de 1ra. Clase · First-class pleasure boat skipper
- What it lets you do
- You can skipper Panamanian-flag pleasure boats over 20 metres in Panamanian jurisdictional waters.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Carta de Permiso Temporal para Operar Yates a Casco Desnudo bajo Arrendamiento · Temporary permit to operate bareboat charter yachts
- What it lets you do
- This gives you permission to bareboat charter in Panamanian waters for one month. You may operate only by day and within the charter company's authorised operating area.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Certificado de Operador de Embarcación Menor (COEM) · Canal small-boat operator certificate
- What it lets you do
- You can operate small recreational or commercial boats in Canal waters, within the limits of your existing boat licence.
- How you get it
- You take a practical exam and a written exam with the Board of Inspectors. You may take the written exam in Spanish or English.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Certificado de Operador de Embarcación Menor Exenta de Practicaje · Canal operator certificate for small boats exempt from pilotage
- What it lets you do
- You can operate an approved small boat without a Canal pilot in compulsory-pilotage waters. The boat must also have its exemption certificate.
- How you get it
- You take a practical exam and a written exam with the Board of Inspectors. You may take the written exam in Spanish or English.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Professional deck titles
Marinero que forme parte de la guardia de navegación (Timonel)
STCW II/4- What it lets you do
- You can work as a deck rating supporting the navigational watch.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Marinero de Primera de Puente
STCW II/5- What it lets you do
- You are qualified as an able seafarer for deck support duties.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Oficial Encargado de la Guardia de Navegación
STCW II/3- What it lets you do
- You can serve as a navigational watch officer on ships under 500 GT, with the applicable voyage limitations.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Oficial Encargado de la Guardia de Navegación
STCW II/1- What it lets you do
- You can be the officer responsible for a navigational watch on seagoing ships of 500 GT or more.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Primer Oficial de Puente
STCW II/2- What it lets you do
- You can be chief mate as a management-level deck officer, subject to the certificate's limitations.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Capitán
STCW II/3; II/2- What it lets you do
- You can be master under II/3 or II/2, with the tonnage and voyage limits stated on the certificate.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Radio certificates
Operador Restringido de SMSSM
ROC- What it lets you do
- You are qualified as a restricted GMDSS radio operator under STCW IV/2.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Operador General de SMSSM
GOC- What it lets you do
- You are qualified as a general GMDSS radio operator under STCW IV/2.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Radioelectrónico de Segunda Clase
- What it lets you do
- You hold a second-class radioelectronic qualification under STCW IV/2.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Radioelectrónico de Primera Clase
- What it lets you do
- You hold a first-class radioelectronic qualification under STCW IV/2.
- 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: Autoridad Marítima de Panamá — Resolución J.D. No. 053-2018: requisitos para títulos de aguas jurisdiccionales · Autoridad Marítima de Panamá — Gente de Mar: national licences, deck and radio certificates, and bareboat permits · Autoridad Marítima de Panamá — Operador General / Restringido de SMSSM (IV/2), requisitos, versión 25 (2025) · IALA — Recommendation R1001: The IALA Maritime Buoyage System, edition 2.0 (2023), regions map · Autoridad Marítima de Panamá — Se aprueba el Convenio sobre el Reglamento Internacional para prevenir los abordajes de 1972 · Autoridad del Canal de Panamá — Acuerdo No. 373: Reglamento de la Junta de Inspectores, articles 27–30 and 40–42