Recreational boating licence: New EU study recommends Europe-wide recognition
Anyone sailing a recreational boat in Sweden, France or Germany, for example, will encounter a maze of different driving licence regulations. In Sweden, skippers do not need a licence for pleasure craft under 12 metres. France, on the other hand, regulates things differently: the engine power is the deciding factor here. As soon as an engine with more than 5 hp is on board, a pleasure craft licence is required. Germany sets the limit at 15 hp - or if the boat is longer than 15 metres, in which case a licence is required regardless of the engine power.
"Going it alone paralyses European water sports"
These differences can be found throughout Europe. As a result, they create considerable hurdles for the entire industry. This is criticised by associations such as the European Boating Industry (EBI) for years. A recent study by the EU Commission has now confirmed their objections. Their conclusion: national solo efforts are paralysing European water sports. The reasons for this are unclear licence requirements, a lack of recognition of foreign driving licences and obstacles to cross-border trips.
The situation is exacerbated by another problem: according to the study, there is no central database that makes the validity and recognition of licences transparent across Europe. Authorities, charter companies and insurers would therefore decide at their own discretion whether a recreational boating licence is valid or not - with correspondingly different results.
This lack of transparency leads to individual, ad-hoc assessments, resulting in inconsistent interpretations and potential disputes."
According to the study, this creates a patchwork quilt that slows down the industry and inhibits the growth of water sports tourism as a whole. The consequences affect recreational boaters, charter companies, marinas and training centres alike.
Solutions already exist
So what can be done? The authors of the study recommend relying more consistently on existing structures. Specifically: the International Certificate of Competence (ICC), a globally recognised certificate of competence. Binding implementation could simplify cross-border boat traffic, increase safety and reduce the administrative burden, according to the study.
The ICC is a certificate that was established many years ago by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE). It ensures minimum standards for safety, navigation and manoeuvrability and is intended to facilitate the mutual recognition of national driving licences within the UNECE states.
More about pleasure craft licences:
German recreational craft licence corresponds to ICC
UNECE Resolution 40 enshrines this certificate - but only as a recommendation. Each member state decides on its own implementation. 18 out of 27 EU member states already recognise the resolution, including Germany: since the 2017/2018 reform, the recreational craft licence has been explicitly recognised as an ICC in accordance with Resolution 40. France, Italy and Poland do not officially recognise the resolution.
This should change. The authors of the study recommend concrete steps: These include awareness campaigns and a centralised EU data tape. The ECI is urging the EU Commission to take further steps towards mutual recognition. Marina Palumbo Cardella, Project and Policy Officer at the ECI, says:
The introduction of mutual recognition of the ICC is the most practical and feasible way forward.
