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Malta Maritime License

Started by Shaftbomb, August 28, 2008, 21:48:22 CET

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Shaftbomb

Today on the radio I heard an announcement by the Malta Maritime Authority saying that anybody having a boat with more than 100hp has to have a Malta maritime authority license to drive it.  The announcement falls short of saying if all boats fall under this law or if it makes a difference between MFA, MFB, MFC or valletta registration, or inboard or outboard motors.  Anybody knows any information?????

The_Gaffer

Yes, the nautical licence applies to all vessels irrispective of registration class, whether the vessel is registered MFA, MFB, MFC, valletta or S. All vessels powered by engines of 100hp and over, inboard or outboard, must be piloted by someone who holds a nautical licence issued by the MMA following an approved course and practical and oral test.
Beneteau Antares 9.80 - Powered by twin Volvo Penta D4 225HP
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Shaftbomb

I guess we can only get the certification from MCAST?

busumark

gaffer mfa and mfb registration dont need the license till now

Shaftbomb

But can't the MMA make specific announcements while making use of public money????

skip

Busu curious why MFA/MFB don't need a license! Most of their boats are powered by more than 100hp and they are out on the sea as well, so they should be included, no?

bigboy

Skip although fishing boats are powered with over 100hp they arebnot fast boats. Some may only reach a top speed of 20 knots.

Our boat is made of wood and it is powered by 135 hp plus 85 hp but it barely reaches 8 knots.

benri

You're right bigboy that some fishing boats reach a top speed of only 20 knots but, I can assure you that I once had a fishing boat chase me from a cima. I went up to over 35knots and believe me he was not far off!!! you therefore cannot draw a line that way - With that reasoning a little dinghy with a 9.9 can also reach great speeds. In my opinion it should therefore be 100hp across the board.
I'd rather be fishing.....

The_Gaffer

Busumark, that is not correct. I am/was registered as MFB and still had to obtain the licence.
Beneteau Antares 9.80 - Powered by twin Volvo Penta D4 225HP
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bigboy

Benri with todays cost of fuel, fishing bots never run at full speeds. The new fiber fishing boats yes can be fast as i have been on a 42 footer with 3 engines, 2 yanmar 280s and one volvo 360 and it can reach 40 knots easily. But big boats made from wood are heavy so no matter the power.

They also take in a matter of fact the lifetime of their engines. Since many fishing boats go out very far they only use 1/2 throttle so thier engines work at ease and also fuel consumption is not so high.

Our boat does 10 knots at full speed with 1 engine and it revs up to 2900 rpm. We usually run it at 1700 rpm getting 6knots at good fuel consumption of 1.50euro per mile.

benri

Bigboy you are right in all you are stating but, cost of fuel and engines is up for everyone not just for MFA/B's so this shouldn't exempt anyone from a licence!
If you get caught by the police/AFM with a 100hp engine without a licence, you cannot tell them that you never use more than half throttle cause cost of fuel is high! :-)
I'd rather be fishing.....

shanook

the thing is its one weight two measures as usual. I cant understand the reasoning of the HP with a licence. Anyone using power on a boat should have a licence. The HP should have nothing to do with it. We get a licence whether we are driving a 10hp subaru (i have one) and a 100 hp ferrari (dont have one).
The licence is there to make sure that whoever is driving knows the rules of the road in our case sea for the safety of himself and of others.

busumark

my friend is mfb and i know people who are mfa when they checked with fisheries they told them that they dont need a license and nobody ever send them something that they need to do the license. did you do it to have the license or because they sent you a letter that you need one? gaffer

sirena

any one knows when the maritime license courses held please.
always want to fish.... why.... cos fun ux!!!

benri

You can contact MCAST and they'll give you all info. The course needed is:
Basic Seamenship & Safe Boat Handling 31 Hours (2 Weeks) ?130.00
http://www.mcastshortcourses.gov.mt/
I'd rather be fishing.....