Boating license: not always required, but sensible

Sailing license: not always mandatory, but sensible
In the Netherlands, the navigation license has been introduced since 1992 to increase safety on the water. It is mandatory for those who sail with boats larger than 15 meters, or with a boat that can go faster than 20 km/h. This is not a horsepower question, by the way. A dinghy with 15 hp makes more speed than a steel boat with twice the length and the same engine.

Theory: the first step to safe sailing

It is therefore important to know your boat, or the boat you will be sailing in, well. On the water, however, it is even more important to properly assess your own knowledge and skills. A good theoretical background is not a bad thing to have. And that is exactly what the Sailing Certificate provides. A basic knowledge of the traffic rules on the water gives you the peace of mind to be able to deal with the ship you are sailing on, and more importantly, the environment.

What license do you need?

It depends on where you want to sail and how big is the boat you want to steer. With the small boat license I, sailing on the rivers and canals is allowed. This license can be obtained fairly quickly. Sailing on the Wadden Sea, Eastern and Western Scheldt, IJmeer and IJsselmeer (including the Randmeren) is excluded. The small boat license I can be obtained at relatively low costs. There are many course providers active. One-day courses are available, but also all kinds of online variants.

With sailing license II for many years of international pleasure

If you also want to sail on the Waddenzee and the IJsselmeer, you need the small sailing license II. Those who have this certificate in their pocket are allowed to sail in all inland waterways. There is international recognition for this certificate through the link with the International Certificate of Competence. This link has been automatic since 2010. Those who have a navigation license 1 and 2 also have access to the ICC Inland Waters and the ICC Coastal Waters.

Great license for large pleasure craft

For pleasure craft larger than 25 metres, you need a major navigation license. This large sailing license is available in different variants. The large pleasure boat license has been established for pleasure craft. The difference with the 'normal' large boating license is that a pleasure boat skipper does not have to demonstrate his experience.
A professional demonstrates this with his seaman's book. A pleasure boat skipper does not have this one. However, the pleasure boat skipper must, in addition to blocks for his theory, also take a practical exam on his own ship. The ship may not be longer than 40 meters.

Even without a motor, you sometimes need a boat license

Until now, it was mainly about motor boats. Sailboats fall under the same rules, and anyone who sets out with a sailboat of more than 15 meters, or wants to sail quickly, must also have a small boating license. The sailing certificate applies to commercial vessels, and is not interesting for the pleasure boat skipper. If you want to learn how to sail well, you always have the option of taking lessons at a sailing school. Actually, this also applies to skippers on a motorboat.

In short, if you want to relax at the helm, you should put in your hours, and perhaps take lessons. And then enjoy the peace and quiet of its surroundings and the sailing itself.... Because that's what it's all about when you go out on the water, right?

More information: www.vamex.nl

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