Government regulations for yachties?

[macca]

I am curious as to what extent yachties are regulated by their governments in different countries. Here is the picture in Queensland, Australia (varies from state to state).

All boats (unless you have no motor) have to have a registration number painted on the hull and pay an annual fee (about $150 for a 35 footer). If you have gas on board you need a gas inspection certificate to get this registration.

As of later this year, the operator of any boat with a motor of over 6 HP needs a "driver's" license. An additional catch is that if your car driving license is suspended for being a naughty boy, you can't sail your boat either.

As of mid 2004, all boats with a toilet fitted must have a macerator. Holding tanks are not specifically required, but there are certain areas where discharge is not permitted.

Radios: For VHF you no longer need a station license, but you do for HF. You do need an operator's license for both however.

 

[Evadne]

UK Government regulations for yachties

In the UK you need a ship's license for your VHF and a certificate on (in)competence to operate it legally. And that's about it.
The boat has to obey the IPCRS, e.g. display the correct lights at night, but nobody seems to police that. You don't have to register the boat if you don't want to go abroad. There are no driving licenses for anything non-commercial under 200 tons, regardless of maximum speed.
To listen to some UK forum members you'd think we lived in a police state over here, but it is probably one of the least regulated countries in the world for boats. The biggest bugbear seems to be importing and registering for VAT and the Recreational Craft Directive (EU regs), which is more to do with buying and selling than going sailing.

 

[Ships_Cat]

For New Zealand:

No requirement to licence/register boats so no number needs to be on hull or sail (Yachting NZ maintain a voluntary register which many yachts elect to enter - gives a sail number)

No holding tanks/macerator required but sewage cannot be discharged closer than 500m from shore or marine farm, or in less than 5m of water. I think this is really only followed up on in case of being a nuisance - most do not take notice of it unless in crowded anchorage.

No boat licence required for VHF radio if not going foreign but operator's certificate required. Theoretically I think it is desired a callsign is too but the regulations only state a means of identification (smaller vessels commonly just use boat name and are not growled at). Licence is mandatory if SSB is carried or if going foreign (even if just VHF). DSC radios are not compulsory, but if you have one you are obliged to get an MMSI.

A pleasure vessel on the NZ Register of Ships (which it must be, of course, to go foreign) must submit to an inspection prior to being cleared to depart NZ for a foreign voyage (with some flexibility if recent such voyage already undertaken). The inspection approximates compliance with the ISAF Special Regulations Category 1 taking into account that the boat is a cruising boat not a race boat. The crew must be judged competent (single handing, Mum & Pop, etc crews are all acceptable).

Lifejackets must be carried but not mandatory to wear them on any vessel (but person in charge must require them to be worn if prudent to do so for conditions). For a cruising yacht sized vessel it would probably only be judged prudent if the boat was about to sink.

MARPOL environment protection rules apply for rubbish (over certain size boat must have a disposal plan and log, constraints on rubbish types that can be dumped and how far offshore eg plastic cannot be dumped overboard anywhere. Notice must be displayed briefly stating the dumping rules (like USA) - we stick ours on our day use rubbish container in the galley.

Alcohol is permitted and no formal rules for pleasure vessels, but if one had an accident or created a nuisance the coppers would find a good reason to nobble you.

Various navigation rules as anywhere, but with the addition of speed limits when near another vessel (cannot exceed 5 knots within 50m of any other vessel, raft or person in the water - obvious exceptions for racing, etc) and a no wake rule - cannot create a wake causing danger to other vessels or persons, or risk of damage to structures, etc.

Much of it operates on the if you behave responsibly no one is going to bother you. In our own port the main police launch regularly cruises around but showing the flag. Will come into our marina and cruise up and down each aisle (can only just rotate itself - twin shafts - in the width as it is a big boat built to operate in Cook Strait). If there is a complaint against a boat, very rare in our port, their favourite tactic and punishment seems to be to follow the culprit into the marina, let him get all tied up then trundle up behind him with a copper or two on the police boat's bow, and give them a very public interview and warning.

Think that covers the main things.

John

 

[Manos_Greece]

For Greece:

Sailing boats:
You don't need an operators license if you own a boat up to 20 meters, though two persons need to have a certificate of a sailing school in order to charter a bareboat.
The boat needs to be registered and show the name and registration number.
The boat needs to have a license for the radio equipment. No operators license required for pleasure boats.
For boats up to 10 meters you don't need to have a protocol of general inspection (although you need a license from the coast guard - that refers to the distant limits you can go from shore depended on the safety equipment that your boat has) nor to take permit from the coast guard before you depart from port and report when you arive in the next port. Boats over 10 meters need a protocol of general inspection that is similar of those by comercial ships.
Safety equipment is mandatory depending the max number of persons aboard and distances from shore you wish to sail.
For Motor boats:
You need an operators license if you have a speed boat=boat speed over 15 knots or engine> 15 Hp.
Registration and VHF as of sailing boats.
The insurance is mandatory for all vessels with engine over 20 or 30 Hp (don't remember exactly). There is no taxation of non speed boats up to 10 meters. The rest are taxed depending LOA and type (open boats or with cabins).
These are the basic things but in general there is huge bureacracy in order to fullfil all requirments that this year they try to limit.

 

[misterg]

Re: UK Government regulations for yachties

In the UK you need ...[snip]

I think also:

Requirement for passage plan & accident reporting; public liability insurance for many moorings; imminent alcohol limits for skipper; no discharge of rubbish overboard; no discharge of "oils"; no discharge of untreated sewage within 3 miles of land - Don't know how the latter is policed - 300 yds would be a challenge to some.

Andy