{"id":56391,"date":"2023-05-25T14:32:32","date_gmt":"2023-05-25T14:32:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.borrowaboat.com\/m\/?page_id=56391"},"modified":"2026-02-05T12:41:11","modified_gmt":"2026-02-05T12:41:11","slug":"do-i-need-a-licence-to-rent-a-boat","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.borrowaboat.com\/m\/en\/do-i-need-a-licence-to-rent-a-boat\/","title":{"rendered":"Do I Need a Charter Licence to Rent a Boat?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\u201dDo I need a licence to rent a boat?\u201d is one of the most frequently asked questions that we get here at Borrow A Boat. And we get it. Most people out there don\u2019t<\/em> have licences but are still interested in booking a boat trip. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The short answer to this question is: No, you don\u2019t need a licence to rent a boat. As long as you\u2019re not the one doing the actual sailing, that is<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now, here\u2019s the long version: At Borrow A Boat, we offer holiday-goers two types of bookings: bareboat charters or captain-guided charters<\/strong>. This is what it means:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you book the first option, you\u2019re essentially renting a boat without any crew or provisions, and you or someone on your boat WILL need a licence. With this option, you can customise your itinerary, cook your own meals, and ultimately, be your own captain. If you\u2019re a sailing fanatic, it\u2019s the best way to practice your favorite hobby while on an uber-personalized trip with family or friends. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you book the second option, a boat with a captain, aka someone who can guide and sail your boat and is liable for the safety of everyone on board, will be provided to you at an extra charge. It\u2019s a stress-free way to enjoy your vacation. Maybe you will even take the opportunity to learn a thing or two about sailing while you\u2019re on board. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Read on for more details on both options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bareboat Option: Rent a Boat With a Boat Licence<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

To rent a boat in most countries, you\u2019ll need a boat licence that is recognized by the country you\u2019ll be sailing in. In Europe, for example, most licences from abroad are accepted as long as they are deemed equivalent to the local licence. To be on the safe side, you can always apply for the International Certificate of Competence<\/a> (ICC) in your home country in addition to your local boat licence. Accepted in many countries around the world, an ICC proves the holder has undergone formal training and has all the necessary boating skills to manage a vessel in open waters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Please note, however, that an open waters licence is not commonly valid for inland waters and most countries require a separate inland water licence. Whenever a boat has a radio installed, you will also need to have a radio licence in order to operate it. The most common radio licence is the VHF licence<\/a>, also known as the Short Range Certificate (SRC). Other types of radio licences, such as an aircraft radio licence, might also be accepted, but this should be confirmed by the specific boat operator beforehand. In the end, it\u2019s the decision of the boat operator or the operator\u2019s insurance provider to accept or decline a license.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Captain (Skipper) Option: Rent a Boat Without a Licence<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you don\u2019t have a licence and still want to enjoy an incredible boat holiday, you can choose the\u00a0option to\u00a0book a yacht charter with a captain <\/a>(skipper)<\/a>\u00a0with your boat. Each of our 30,000 chartered yachts in our 500 destinations is available with a captain.\u00a0The captain (skipper)<\/a>\u00a0is responsible for sailing and navigation, and additionally takes on the liability of the boat. They\u2019re also knowledgeable on local hotspots and can offer advice on everything from\u00a0sailing routes<\/a>\u00a0to the best local cuisine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re a curious traveler who wants to take away some sailing skills from their trip, the captains will give you the opportunity to get involved, including assisting them with raising the sails and dropping anchor. To be ahead of the curve, learn the basic nautical terms<\/a> before you get on board. If you\u2019re looking to relax, have no fear, they\u2019ll also give you space and privacy to enjoy the tranquillity the sea. It is, after all, your <\/em>vacation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Top Six Questions About Booking a Captain (Skipper) With Your Boat<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

1. Do I need a captain (skipper)?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you have to ask, you probably do. Even if you have some sailing skills, it\u2019s great to have a captain to take the lead. The captains don\u2019t just navigate. They are also responsible for the safety of the boat and passengers during the whole trip. It\u2019s a demanding job and they have to know the area well. So, if your goal is to take a relaxing vacation to totally escape, you\u2019ll probably want a captain to take care of everything boat-related. The captain can also be your local guide for the area. He or she knows where to anchor and which islands are worth a visit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Who chooses the captain?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When making your reservation, let us know if you need a captain or not. If you do, the charters \u2013 who have great relationships with local captains \u2013 will suggest a captain for your booking. If you have any special requests or concerns, feel free to ask the charter after you\u2019ve booked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Will my captain speak English?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Usually, your captain will speak at least some basic English, as well as the local language. It\u2019s their job to be able to communicate with their guests and with the locals alike. If you\u2019re concerned, simply communicate your needs with the charter when booking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Are the captain’s fees included with the yacht charter?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

No. Captains work independently from the charters, so their fee is usually paid prior to boarding. Captain fees can vary depending on a number of factors. However, you can expect to pay around \u20ac180 per day. Trust us, the cost is worth it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Where does the captain sleep?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Most vessels have a small \u201dcrew\u201d cabin where the captain sleeps. Keep in mind, if you book a boat where one is not included, you must designate one cabin in your boat for your captain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

6. Am I responsible for feeding the captain?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Yes, hiring a captain means considering one extra mouth to feed for the entire on-board duration of your trip. This means when buying food and (non-alcoholic) beverages for consumption on the boat, you\u2019ll have to consider the captain. You won\u2019t need to pay for food or accommodations while on land.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The answer to your question: Do I need a licence to rent a boat?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As you can see, you don\u2019t need a licence to rent a boat. It all depends on the kind of vacation you would like to enjoy and the kind of adventures you would want to embark on. Now that you possess all the knowledge about sailing with or without a licence, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of both and what special requirements you should consider when choosing to sail with a captain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From sleek and spacious motorboats<\/a> to luxurious catamarans<\/a> and classic sailboats<\/a>, there are plenty of options to choose from (over 21,000 boats more specifically).<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\u201dDo I need a licence to rent a boat?\u201d is one of the most frequently asked questions that we get here at Borrow A Boat. And we get it. Most people out there don\u2019t have licences but are still interested in booking a boat trip.  The short answer to this question is: No, you don\u2019t need a licence … <\/p>\n

Continue reading<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":57858,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-56391","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","infinite-scroll-item"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.borrowaboat.com\/m\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/56391","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.borrowaboat.com\/m\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.borrowaboat.com\/m\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.borrowaboat.com\/m\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/14"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.borrowaboat.com\/m\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=56391"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.borrowaboat.com\/m\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/56391\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.borrowaboat.com\/m\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/57858"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.borrowaboat.com\/m\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=56391"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}