Recreational Maritime Licenses: What's New with the New Law
According to Confindustria Nautica, the decree is now being signed by Palazzo Chigi and is therefore preparing to enter into force.
Confindustria Nautica presented the contents of the reform of Ministerial Decree No. 121 of May 10, 2005, concerning the requirements for professional certifications for personnel on board pleasure boats and vessels used for charter purposes and on vessels intended exclusively for charter for tourism purposes (Article 3, paragraph 1, of Law No. 172 of July 8, 2003) to the meeting of its member association Italian Yacht Masters, currently underway at the Marina di Loano.
In a statement, the association chaired by Saverio Cecchi explains that "the revision of Decree 121/2005, strongly supported by Confindustria Nautica, concerns both the higher STCW qualifications and the introduction of the simplified qualification (2nd Class Pleasure Navigation Officer) and, in the opinion of the national trade association, could create up to 3.000 new jobs."
"The revision of the legislation will finally make Italian professionals in the sector more competitive," commented Cecchi, who thanked "Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, Matteo Salvini, Deputy Minister, Edoardo Rixi, and the Head of the MIT Department, Teresa Di Matteo."
Cecchi then added: "More generally, I expect the intentions of a maritime policy to be matched by coherent, comprehensive actions from all other public administrations. President Giorgia Meloni used clear words: 'It's not the nautical industry that has me to thank for coming to the Genoa International Boat Show; I have this industry to thank, which generates billions of euros that also flow into the Italian state coffers and make up a portion of the resources the state can spend.' Yet every now and then, some people think the sector serves only to raise money, primarily harming the Treasury."
Confindustria also specifies that, as part of the update of the "major" qualifications, compliant with the STCW Convention, the qualification limits have been raised to 500 GT for Navigation Officers, 3000 GT for Masters of pleasure craft, and over 3000 GT for Captains of pleasure craft. Current certificates remain valid and may be renewed early to qualify for the upgrade.
The pleasure craft officer can embark: as a deck officer of a rank lower than first, on pleasure vessels, including those used for charter, or on ships intended exclusively for charter for tourist purposes, up to 3000 GT (gross ton); or as a captain on pleasure vessels up to 500 GT (including charter vessels, or vessels intended exclusively for charter for tourism purposes). For the 36-month training period, boarding will also be permitted on vessels longer than 15 meters, even if not chartered.
The Captain of a pleasure craft may serve as Chief Officer on pleasure vessels, including charter vessels, or on vessels intended exclusively for charter for tourism purposes, without any tonnage limit; or as Commander on pleasure vessels under 3000 GT, including charter vessels, or on vessels intended exclusively for charter for tourism purposes, also under 3000 GT. Training requires at least 12 months of service as a Deck Officer below the rank of Chief Officer on pleasure vessels, including charter vessels, or vessels intended exclusively for charter for tourism purposes.
The Master of the pleasure craft may command pleasure vessels, including those used for charter, or vessels intended exclusively for charter for tourist purposes, without any tonnage limit, after a further 24 months of training as chief deck officer on vessels of 500 GT or greater.
For all STCW qualifications, mandatory training can be completed on both chartered and privately used vessels. Finally, for Navigation Officers and Captains, some alternative roles to the mandatory embarkation period for certificate renewal have been introduced: harbor pilot, mooring attendant, classification society inspector, and commander employed by shipyards for technical navigation tests.
The text also introduces the 2nd Class Navigation Officer for pleasure craft, the new figure resulting from a qualifying training course, but proportionate to the domestic rental of pleasure craft, for which the following courses are required: personal safety and rescue for offshore navigation, basic fire prevention, first aid (BLS), in addition to obtaining the Radio Operator certificate. Short Range (SRC).
To obtain the qualification, you must be at least 18 years old, have a high school diploma, and have successfully passed a theoretical and practical exam. The new simplified professional qualification will be valid for 10 years. The exam syllabus and the personal safety and rescue course are expected soon.
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