Uruguay
- Who issues it
- Prefectura Nacional Naval [National Naval Prefecture], through the Dirección Registral y de Marina Mercante (DIRME) [Registry and Merchant Marine Directorate].
- Minimum age
- 16 years
- Buoyage
- IALA region B
- Collision rules
- Reglamento Internacional para Prevenir Abordajes
Do you need a licence?
Yes, you need the brevet for your recreational boat's navigation zone or a professional patrón licence covering that zone.
D starts over 16, C and B over 18, and A over 21.
Brevet deportivo categoría D · Recreational skipper certificate, category D
From 16
- What it lets you do
- You can travel within 5 nautical miles of the departure port on Río de la Plata or the Atlantic, and within 10 nautical miles on Río Uruguay and inland rivers and lagoons.
- How you get it
- You take an exam at the local Prefectura, with a syllabus set by DIRME. The detailed format is not set out.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Brevet deportivo categoría C · Recreational skipper certificate, category C
From 18
- What it lets you do
- You can travel within 15 nautical miles of the departure port on the upper Río de la Plata, or within 20 nautical miles on Río Uruguay.
- How you get it
- You take an exam at the local Prefectura, with a syllabus set by DIRME. The detailed format is not set out.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Brevet deportivo categoría B · Recreational skipper certificate, category B
From 18- What it lets you do
- You can navigate on Río de la Plata and along an Atlantic coastal strip up to 15 nautical miles offshore, as far as the mouth of Arroyo Chuy.
- How you get it
- You take an exam at the local Prefectura, with a syllabus set by DIRME. The detailed format is not set out.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Brevet deportivo categoría A · Recreational skipper certificate, category A
From 21
- What it lets you do
- You can undertake ocean navigation.
- How you get it
- You complete a recognised course with supervised final tests and theory and practical instruction, or take an exam at DIRME.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Professional deck titles
Marinero que forma parte de la Guardia de Navegación
STCW II/4- What it lets you do
- You can work as a deck rating forming part of the navigational watch.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Patrón de Cabotaje
STCW II/3- What it lets you do
- You can work as a navigation officer or skipper within the zones endorsed on the patent.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Tercer Oficial de Puente
STCW II/1- What it lets you do
- You can serve as a third deck officer and as an officer in charge of a navigational watch.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Segundo Oficial de Puente
STCW II/1- What it lets you do
- You can serve as a second deck officer and as an officer in charge of a navigational watch.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Primer Oficial de Puente
STCW II/2- What it lets you do
- You can be chief mate, subject to the tonnage limits on the certificate.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Capitán Mercante
STCW II/2- What it lets you do
- You can be master of merchant ships, subject to the limits on the certificate.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Radio certificates
Radio Operador – SMSSM Restringido
ROC- What it lets you do
- You are qualified as a restricted GMDSS radio operator.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Radio Operador – SMSSM General
GOC- What it lets you do
- You are qualified as a general GMDSS radio operator.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Radio Operador de 2ª Clase
- What it lets you do
- You are qualified as a second-class maritime radioelectronic operator.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Radio Operador de 1ª Clase
- What it lets you do
- You are qualified as a first-class maritime radioelectronic operator.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Certificado de operador en el servicio móvil marítimo
- What it lets you do
- You receive URSEC authorisation to operate radio equipment aboard ships.
- 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: Ministerio de Defensa Nacional — Solicitud de brevet deportivo clases A, B, C y D · Prefectura Nacional Naval / DIRME — Decreto 386/989, Reglamento de Patrones, articles 71–88 · Armada Nacional — Decreto 311/009, articles 25, 27 and 58: deck titles and radio certificates · URSEC — Certificado de operador en los servicios móvil aeronáutico, móvil marítimo o terrestre · SOHMA — Avisos Generales 2025, notice 9/2025(G): IALA Region B · URSEC — Resolución 139/016: maritime station operator certificate