Russia
- Who issues it
- Государственная инспекция по маломерным судам МЧС России (ГИМС) [EMERCOM State Inspectorate for Small Vessels]. Капитаны морских портов [harbour masters] issue seagoing documents. Администрации бассейнов внутренних водных путей [inland waterway basin administrations] issue inland diplomas under Росморречфлот [Federal Agency for Maritime and River Transport].
- Minimum age
- 18 years
- Buoyage
- IALA region A
- Collision rules
- МППСС-72
Do you need a licence?
A GIMS licence (18+) is required for small craft that must be registered. Registration-exempt craft need no GIMS licence. Boat-type and area endorsements apply. Pleasure vessels outside this scheme use separate inland or seagoing diplomas.
Удостоверение на право управления маломерным судном · Small-craft operating licence
From 18
- What it lets you do
- Registered craft up to 20 m with no more than 12 people, for the boat types and waters endorsed. Jet skis need the jet-ski boat type.
- How you get it
- Computer theory test covering your chosen boat types and waters, followed by a practical boat-handling test.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Диплом судоводителя прогулочного судна · Inland pleasure-vessel skipper diploma
From 18
- What it lets you do
- Pleasure vessels on inland waterways under the transport-ministry scheme, subject to the restrictions entered in the diploma.
- How you get it
- Written/computer test with 12 questions. At least 9 correct passes without an interview. Otherwise, an oral interview covers wrong answers.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Диплом судоводителя прогулочного судна · Seagoing pleasure-vessel skipper diploma
From 18
- What it lets you do
- Seagoing pleasure vessels covered by transport-ministry certification. Additional training is needed to operate vessels mainly powered by sail.
- How you get it
- When required, written/computer test with 70% to pass, followed by an oral interview. A test score of at least 90% waives the interview.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Professional deck titles
Вахтенный матрос
STCW II/4- What it lets you do
- Rating forming part of a navigational watch.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Матрос первого класса
STCW II/5- What it lets you do
- Able seafarer in the deck department.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Вахтенный помощник капитана морского судна валовой вместимостью менее 500, занятого в прибрежном плавании
STCW II/3- What it lets you do
- Navigational watch officer on ships below 500 GT in near-coastal service.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Вахтенный помощник капитана морского судна валовой вместимостью 500 и более
STCW II/1- What it lets you do
- Navigational watch officer on ships of 500 GT or more.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Старший помощник капитана морского судна валовой вместимостью 3000 и более
STCW II/2- What it lets you do
- Chief mate on ships of 3,000 GT or more.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Капитан морского судна валовой вместимостью 3000 и более
STCW II/2- What it lets you do
- Master on ships of 3,000 GT or more.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Radio certificates
Диплом оператора ограниченного района ГМССБ
ROC- What it lets you do
- Restricted GMDSS radio operator certificate under STCW IV/2.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Диплом оператора ГМССБ
GOC- What it lets you do
- General GMDSS radio operator certificate under STCW IV/2.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Диплом оператора радиоэлектронного оборудования второго класса ГМССБ
- What it lets you do
- Second-class GMDSS radioelectronic operator qualification.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Диплом оператора радиоэлектронного оборудования первого класса ГМССБ
- What it lets you do
- First-class GMDSS radioelectronic operator qualification.
- 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: МЧС России, Тульская область — Аттестация в ГИМС, знания и права — залог безопасности на воде · МЧС России — Federal Law No. 4-ФЗ of 3 February 2025, Articles 20–23 · Администрация морских портов Балтийского моря — Order No. 378 of 8 November 2021, seagoing certification, paragraphs 9, 10, 16 and 45 · ФГБУ «Канал имени Москвы» — Order No. 87 of 12 March 2018, amended 25 September 2020, inland certification, paragraphs 12–14 and 82–86 · МЧС России, Оренбургская область — Кодекс внутреннего водного транспорта, Article 3, small-craft definition · МЧС России — Official small-craft examination questions, navigation and radio, IALA Region A · Туристский информационный центр Калининградской области — В Калининград на яхте, МППСС-72 and Region A navigation marks · Администрация морских портов Черного, Азовского и Каспийского морей — Дипломирование членов экипажей морских судов, Туапсе, deck and radio certificate lists