Sailing requirements

[Flamingo of rye]

Hi, new to this, have bought a boat in Uk and would like to know if some sort of “driving/sailing licence” is required by law?
How about if I would like to sail abroad? (not that I would at the moment)

[boatman61]

Hi Flamingo.. welcome to CF..
To the best of my knowledge UK sailing still requires no licence.. just get a boat and your good to go.
However I would recommend taking an RYA Day Skipper course as a minimum.. the UK coasts and tide ranges need respect and knowledge to navigate in safety.. its not as simple as it seems on the surface..
For going further afield.. France and beyond.. I'd suggest a minimum of the RYA Coastal Skippers ticket just to be safe, with us leaving the EU folks on the Continent will likely get even bigger sticks up their asses..

[Flamingo of rye]

Originally Posted by boatman61

Hi Flamingo.. welcome to CF..

To the best of my knowledge UK sailing still requires no licence.. just get a boat and your good to go.

However I would recommend taking an RYA Day Skipper course as a minimum.. the UK coasts and tide ranges need respect and knowledge to navigate in safety.. its not as simple as it seems on the surface..

For going further afield.. France and beyond.. I'd suggest a minimum of the RYA Coastal Skippers ticket just to be safe, with us leaving the EU folks on the Continent will likely get even bigger sticks up their asses..

Thank you very much for advice Boatman61, much appreciated.

[conachair]

Originally Posted by boatman61

Hi Flamingo.. welcome to CF..
To the best of my knowledge UK sailing still requires no licence.. just get a boat and your good to go.
However I would recommend taking an RYA Day Skipper course as a minimum.. the UK coasts and tide ranges need respect and knowledge to navigate in safety.. its not as simple as it seems on the surface..
For going further afield.. France and beyond.. I'd suggest a minimum of the RYA Coastal Skippers ticket just to be safe, with us leaving the EU folks on the Continent will likely get even bigger sticks up their asses..

+ 100 x

The UK is thankfully largely free from any sailing licencing requirements, probably mostly because of a strong self education culture from the many small yacht clubs & RYA courses available.
Dayskipper theory & practical will teach you loads as will getting involved with a friendly yacht club near where you keep the boat.

Marine VHF license is one thing you'll need if you have one on the boat. Which you really should have.

Welcome to the world of boats

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, Flamingo.

[Flamingo of rye]

Originally Posted by conachair

+ 100 x



The UK is thankfully largely free from any sailing licencing requirements, probably mostly because of a strong self education culture from the many small yacht clubs & RYA courses available.

Dayskipper theory & practical will teach you loads as will getting involved with a friendly yacht club near where you keep the boat.



Marine VHF license is one thing you'll need if you have one on the boat. Which you really should have.



Welcome to the world of boats

Thank you, good to be here, yes I have a VHF aboard, how do you obtain a licence?

[Flamingo of rye]

Originally Posted by GordMay

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, Flamingo.

Greetings, good to be here

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by Flamingo of rye

Thank you, good to be here, yes I have a VHF aboard, how do you obtain a licence?

Go here https://www.ofcom.org.uk/manage-your...maritime-radio to find out where a course is held local to you..
Its a one day thing, or used to be.. morning spent learning basic operations and how to call other vessels, CG and how to and what is a PanPan call, a PanPan Medico and a MAYDAY..
After lunch its the test and that's it.. cost, maybe £40-£50 these days.. was only £25 when I took it. easy peasy.

[conachair]

Originally Posted by Flamingo of rye

Thank you, good to be here, yes I have a VHF aboard, how do you obtain a licence?

You actually need 2 - one for you to operate a marine VHF >
1 day course & exam, then that's it for life.

Marine Radio (SRC) | Specialist Short Courses | Courses | Learning | Courses & Training | RYA

Then another for the actual radio on your boat >

https://www.ofcom.org.uk/manage-your...es/ships-radio


Loads info about all things boaty on the RYA site

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by conachair

You actually need 2 - one for you to operate a marine VHF >
1 day course & exam, then that's it for life.

Marine Radio (SRC) | Specialist Short Courses | Courses | Learning | Courses & Training | RYA

Then another for the actual radio on your boat >

https://www.ofcom.org.uk/manage-your...es/ships-radio


Loads info about all things boaty on the RYA site

Ahh Yes.. your MMSI..
Though you may already have that and just need to transfer it to your name from the PO's..
When I bought a French boat it involved deregistering it as I UK flagged her and applying for a fresh MMSI licence from the UK.