Valletta Registration

[Mayer]

Thanks Benri!

[luke89]

Hi guys, just a quick question, is a basic Nautical License enough for a Valletta registered boat? Or do you need additional licensing? Cheers.

[Jonathan]

Yes, the basic Nautical Licence is what's needed for a Valletta registered boat, with an engine over 30hp and for private (i.e. not commercial) use.

What is not clear is whether the Nautical Licence is a sufficient qualification to head outside territorial waters and into the waters of other countries (eg. Sicily)  or whether the Yachmaster Offshore is required for that. I  had heard rumours that Italian authorities had stopped Maltese boats in Sicily to ask for the Yachtmaster Offshore but I do not know whether this is true or not, and whether there's any legal weight in this. Also, the Yachtmaster Offshore has been offered for several years in Malta but I am not sure whether this qualification has any legal weight in Malta or not. What I do know is that when going outside Maltese waters and into the waters of another country with a Valletta registered vessel, you have to follow the laws both of the country of registration (Malta) as well as the country you're in (eg. Sicily/Italy).

Perhaps someone with international maritime legal expertise could clarify this matter for us all.