International Certificate for Operators of Pleasure Craft | Traficom
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Transport and Communications Agency

International Certificate for Operators of Pleasure Craft

Operators of pleasure craft of more than 24 metres in length must hold an International Certificate for Operators of Pleasure Craft. The certificate is also accepted as proof of boating skills and knowledge in many countries when renting a boat, for example. Always look into the requirements of your country of destination and the boat rental company well in advance.

Make sure that you have the prerequisites for obtaining an International Certificate for Operators of Pleasure Craft.

What you need to apply:

1. Age of at least 16 years

2. Copy of a valid driving licence

Passenger car, moped, light quadricycle, motorcycle, tractor or a medical certificate proving the fulfilment of the medical standards of fitness to drive.

3. Certificate of theoretical knowledge

You can demonstrate your theoretical knowledge by the following means:

  • Certificate of competency for deck officers
  • Examination organised by the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency (Traficom)
  • Certificate issued by an approved maritime training provider
  • Certificate issued by a boating training organiser audited by Traficom.

Audited maritime training providers (in Finnish)

4. Certificate of applicable experience of operating a vessel

  • Certificate issued by a  boating training organiser audited by Traficom
  • Record of seagoing service (motorised watercraft on coastal waters)
  • Certificate issued by the police, Finnish Customs, the Finnish Defence Forces or a rescue department for their own public officials or
  • Certificate issued by an approved maritime training provider

Audited maritime training providers (in Finnish)

The International Certificate for Operators of Pleasure Craft can indicate whether the knowledge is sufficient for motorised (M) and/or sailing craft (S).

Competency for inland waters (I) requires sufficient knowledge of the European Code for Inland Waterways (CEVNI).

For these, you must have a certificate issued by a training organisation audited by Traficom.

Only domestically issued training certificates granted by boating training organisers or maritime training institutes and practical boating skill certificates can be accepted.

5. Passport photograph, if necessary

With your permission, we can use a photograph stored in a Traficom registry.

If you cannot find a photo in Traficom's register or you want to change the photo, you need one original passport photo sent by post to Finnish Transport and Communications Agency, PO Box 320, FI-00059 TRAFICOM

If you need to renew the International Certificate for Operators of Pleasure Craft to replace a lost, destroyed or fixed-term certificate or due to a change in name, you must attach to your renewal application:

  • Copy of a valid driving licence
    (passenger car, moped, light quadricycle, motorcycle, tractor) or a medical certificate proving the fulfilment of the medical standards of fitness to drive
  • Copy/information about the prior International Certificate for Operators of Pleasure Craft
  • Passport photograph, if necessary.

Apply for international certificate for operators of pleasure craft

  • Step 1

    Apply for the certificate electronically using My e-Services or with the application form

    Hakemus suositellaan tekemään Traficomin Oma asioinnissa.

    Postitse lähetettävä hakemus liitteineen toimitetaan osoitteeseen: Liikenne– ja viestintävirasto, PL 320, 00059 TRAFICOM.

    Sähköpostilla osoitteeseen: kirjaamo@traficom.fi

  • Step 2

    Processing of the application

    The processing time is approximately 14 working days. If your application is incomplete, you will receive a request for information which extends the processing time.

    If you pay an express processing fee (250 euro), Traficom will strive to process your application within 1-2 working days.

  • Step 3

    Decision

    If the certificate can be granted, you will receive the certificate by post approximately 1 to 2 weeks after the decision has been made.

    If you do not submit the additional information required or do not have the prerequisites for obtaining the certificate, your application will be rejected. The fee for a rejected application is the same as that for a granted certificate.

    The International Certificate for Operators of Pleasure Craft is valid until further notice and its price is EUR 110 made in Traficom My e-Services and EUR 130 by post or e-mail.
    Renewing or supplementing the certificate costs EUR 70.

Prices and fees

Audited maritime training providers (in Finnish)

Enquiries and legislation

Contact email: veneilypatevyydet (at) traficom.fi

Legislation

Water Traffic Act 782/2019, section 41 

  • This Act applies to watercraft and their use in the water areas of Finland. The Act also applies to timber floats and towed and floating objects as separately provided in this Act.
  • The Act also applies to the marking of waterways and to water traffic control and to procedures complied with when navigating through locks and open canals and movable bridges. 

Entry into force: 1 June 2020

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