Although there is often talk of an unmanageable thicket of driving licences, it is actually quite simple: in Germany there are onlytwo officially required recreational boating licences, thePleasure craft licence sea (SBF See) andInland (SBF Binnen). If a radio device is to be operated on board, aRadio certificatenecessary.
The driving licence requirement has been liberalised several times in recent years. Since a federal regulation from 2012, for example, recreational boats with a power of up to 15 hp (11.03 KW) can be driven without a licence. This means that since thensmall yachtslike the Sunbeam 26 shown above,Without driving licence skipper.
Official recreational boating licences underwent numerous changes at the start of this season. In May, the amended Sport Boat Driving Licence Ordinance (SpFV) came into force.
The most important changes:
- In future, all theory and practical examinations can be taken at different times and locations (including abroad) within a year.
- There is no longer an age limit for driving pleasure craft without a licence in the maritime sector.
- In future, both holders of the old recreational boating licence and the new licence will be allowed to operate recreational craft less than 20 metres in length on inland waterways. The only exception: recreational craft less than 15 metres in length may be operated on the Rhine.
- In the future (the exact date has not yet been determined), the SBF will be issued as a cheque card (similar to a car driving licence)
Why it always makes sense to acquire the Spoortbootführerschein See, read on the next page.
The recreational craft licence sea
Recreational craft with a power of more than 15 hp (11.03 kW) at the propeller may only be operated with an official recreational craft licence (SBF). There is no restriction on the hull length of the boat, but not all waters may be navigated. The scope of the SBF See licence is limited to thelimited to maritime waterways. And these end, for example, up the Elbe behind Hamburg or up the Weser behind Bremen. From here, theSport boat licence inlandwhich is generally valid for all German inland waterways. Exceptions are the Rhine (Rhine licence), Lake Constance (Lake Constance skipper licence) and some waters in and around Berlin (where the SBF Binnen is mandatory for all watercraft).
In addition: Skippers who want to work for pay must have other licences, such as the one for thePleasure craft licence (SKS) constructiveSport sailing licence (SSS). Important: All licences that build on the SBF See are for recreational skippers.voluntary and are not mandatory. They are suitable for deepening existing knowledge and preparing for sailing in challenging waters. Because even if it is legally permitted, hardly anyone goes sailing around the world without any experience immediately after passing the exam. You can find out which certificates are useful for specialisation here.
The following criteria are required to obtain the SBF See:
- Age: at least 16 years
- General fitness: medical certificate (eyesight/general state of health)
- Motor vehicle driving licence or certificate of good conduct "O"
- Photograph (38 x 45 mm)
- For minors: Declaration of consent from a parent or legal guardian
No prior technical knowledge is required!
The examination procedure for the SBF See
The examination for the SBF See and also for the SBF Binnen is divided into a practical and a theoretical part. In thepractical examination for the SBF See basic manoeuvres and knots are tested - usually on the sailing schools' practice boats, on which the preparation for the practical test was previously carried out. This allows you to demonstrate the manoeuvres you have rehearsed many times in a familiar environment.
In thetheoretical examinationThe course covers the basics of navigation, meteorology and seamanship. A central component is the globally applicableCollision Prevention Rules (KVR) and the Seeschifffahrtsstraßen-Ordnung (SeeSchStrO) for the SBF See. The 15 multiple-choice questionnaires can be viewed before the exam. You can also practise on the move with our SBF Questions app.
In the Book "Sportbootführerschein See" published by Delius Klasing Verlag, which also publishes YACHT, contains all the exam questions as well as eight map sections for the navigation tasks.
Important:In order to carry out the practical tasks sufficientlymaximum two attempts permitted. You pass the theory test with at least24 points from the questionnaire and7 points in the navigation task.
The greatest difficulties for learners are usuallyNavigationbecauseMisdirection, deflection and charging have their pitfalls. These books will get you safely through the exam.
No boat without a radio licence
In Germany, skippers of seagoing pleasure craft that have a VHF radio on board must have at least theRestricted radio operator's licence(SRC) licence. Crew members who wish to operate the marine radio station also require this certificate of competence.
If the VHF radio system is to be operated in inland areas, theVHF radiotelephone licence inland (UBI) required.
Only the licence holder is authorised to operate all marine radio equipment.General radiotelephony certificate (LRC). It is mandatory for the skipper as soon as a GMDSS-capable short-wave or border-wave marine radio system or an Inmarsat satellite system is on board.
Are further certificates useful?
Once you have obtained your recreational boating licence, you canThe next step is the recreational coaster licence (SKS) on. This is because a licence to sail large yachts alone says nothing about a skipper's abilities. The SBF See only confirms knowledge of the basics of water sports. It is therefore not surprising that many recreational skippers immediately go on to obtain their first licence withreal nautical draught want to do.
HoweverScope and duration of preparationThe requirements for the SKS are much greater than for the SBF. In addition to possession of the SBF See, 300 nautical miles on yachts in coastal waters are also required. As a rulethe required nautical miles in one or two weeks on a yacht of the instructing club or sailing schoolcollected. In the latter case, the SKS is associated with considerable costs. Depending on where and for how long the preparatory trip takes place (also possible abroad), the following must be taken into accountTotal costs of up to 1,000 euros can be expected.
The annual nationwide exhibitions of the advanced licencesSport sailing licence (SSS) and sport offshore licence (SHS)are in the upper three-digit and at best lower four-digit range. Compared to the thousands of SBF See licences issued every year, this is not much.
