Visit our Popular Forums

teo_dude · 23-05-2012, 01:30

hi i was wondering if in england you need to have any qualifications to sail a boat??
i currently live in italy finishing uni and i know here you need to have a license which im currently doing, was curious as to what you need if you need anything to sail in england and if my license which im getting (no limits italian sailing license) will be valid as i plan on doing a post graduate course and would like to sail in england. thanks for your replies

edsailing · 23-05-2012, 01:40

No need for any qualifications (probably one one of the few countries that take this approach and maybe the reason why we have such a good lifeboat service!) but if you want to charter a boat the operators will require proof of competence - your italian licence would be fine I think.

**Dockhead** · 23-05-2012, 01:56

You need a VHF licence.

edsailing · 23-05-2012, 02:19

You only need a VHF licence to operate a VHF and a Radio in a boat should be licenced but an unlicenced person may operate a radio in case of emergency.

**David_Old_Jersey** · 23-05-2012, 02:50

And just to say that if only sailing in England (British Waters) that the boat does not need to be registered. (only need registration for a boat if going "foreign" and that only because foreigners want a bit of paper).

But in practice, getting any boat registered on the SSR is cheap and easy and quick (only need to be a UK resident, with an address - and send a cheque).....you could probably get a lawnmower registered......but it keeps the foreigners happy!

Also whether registered or not a British boat (non-commercial) has no minimum equipment levels - and therefore no constant Govt inspections to check if you are sitting on the toliet correctly. You could climb into a bathtub and quite legally set sail to Antartica - even fitting a bath plug would be optional!, simply down to you to decide.

Have fun!

pillum · 23-05-2012, 03:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by David_Old_Jersey

Also whether registered or not a British boat (non-commercial) has no minimum equipment levels - and therefore no constant Govt inspections to check if you are sitting on the toliet correctly. You could climb into a bathtub and quite legally set sail to Antartica - even fitting a bath plug would be optional!, simply down to you to decide.

Have fun!

And long may it stay that way David (he said hopefully).

goboatingnow · 23-05-2012, 05:26

David, its not quite such a free for all

Firslty SOLAS V regulations apply to all vessels requiring a certain small set of equipment and vessels over 13.7 have to comply with certain sections of the merchant shipping acts in relation to fire fighting equipment. ( or the class Xii exemption procedures )

Setting sail in a bathtub would almost certainly violate these laws!

teo_dude · 23-05-2012, 05:58

hahaha david might just set up a bathtub get it registered and go over to france!!

how do you get a VHF or radio license??are they fairly easy to get?

thanks everyone for your replies very usefull!

edsailing · 23-05-2012, 06:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by teo_dude

how do you get a VHF or radio license??are they fairly easy to get?

thanks everyone for your replies very usefull!

To register the licence for the boat is quite easy and can be done on-line at no cost.

To get an operators licence to use the radio requires you to do a course and at the end you get a certificate which entiltles you to a licence.

information here:

https://services.ofcom.org.uk/faqs?faqcat=shipradio