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Spanish licence nightmare

Discussion in 'Yacht Captains' started by denzil, May 23, 2007.

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  1. denzil, May 23, 2007
    #1
    denzil

    denzil New Member

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    I'm the skipper of a 74' Squadron in Spain and it's currently for sale. There is a potential Spanish buyer who's only problem is a licence to drive it. He doesn't want to hire a skipper and it will only be for private use but he's being told that he must have a professional licence to drive the boat. He doesn't want, nor has the time to take 3 months out to get his yachtmaster. Is there another solution? Are Spanish laws for Spanish people that strict?
  2. GrahamF, May 23, 2007
    #2
    GrahamF

    GrahamF Senior Member

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    Hi Denzil
    Firstly what flag is the boat. secondly is the potential Spanish buyer going to keep the flag that is currently flying (probably English) or is he going to change the flag to Spanish.
  3. Ken Bracewell, May 23, 2007
    #3
    Ken Bracewell

    Ken Bracewell Senior Member

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    Thirdly: Is the guy qualified to run the boat or just qualified to buy it?
    The laws are in place for a reason. His insurance company may also have something to add.
  4. denzil, May 23, 2007
    #4
    denzil

    denzil New Member

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    I think he may want to put a Spanish flag on it although i'm not certain. Will this affect things though as he's still a Spanish national cruising in Spanish waters? Basically we are looking for any possibility to get the appropriate licence and this could involve registering somewhere other than Spain. The boat is currently Jersey flagged.
    No Ken, he's not qualified to run the boat. That's why he's looking for a licence. He currently has a licence for upto 20m for private use. This boat however is 22.5m
  5. Ken Bracewell, May 23, 2007
    #5
    Ken Bracewell

    Ken Bracewell Senior Member

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    If they gave a monkey a license he still wouldn't be qualified to run the boat. My question is really geared toward his skills and knowledge. Will he be a danger to others running around in a boat that size?
  6. denzil, May 23, 2007
    #6
    denzil

    denzil New Member

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    Yup i see what your saying Ken but that's not really my worry. But in answer to your question, yes, he has had many boats upto 20m and seems very confident in his abilities. I've never actually seen him driving mind so he could be a right Mr Bean :eek:
  7. Garry Hartshorn, May 23, 2007
    #7
    Garry Hartshorn

    Garry Hartshorn Senior Member

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    Licience requirements are set forward by the flag state, many flags require no licence at all if the vessel is for private use only. You need to carefully read the regulations to ensure that you are legal. You also need to be very carefull about what is deemed commercial and what is private.
  8. AMG, May 24, 2007
    #8
    AMG

    AMG YF Moderator

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    You can also have a look at the yachts papers, if it is in a ships registry, the length is usually shorter than the figure in the brochures as they don´t measure swim platforms and other protruding parts, just the deck with a volume below. If not registered, perhaps Fairline can give you this figure from a sistership. With a little luck it will be below 20 m.....
  9. GrahamF, May 24, 2007
    #9
    GrahamF

    GrahamF Senior Member

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    What licence does the owner hold Spanish or RYA. If he is holding a Spanish licence and he wants to flag the boat other then Spanish, then he has to find out if he can convert his Spanish licence. I know a few Spanish Captains that have their Class 4 and because the work on a Spanish flagged boat they had to redo some courses and exams to convert it to a Spanish licence. There is no easy way out. I would advice him to employ a captain until he has the correct licence. If he doesn’t have the right licence and he takes out the boat and causes an accident, even if it is not his fault he will be liable and his insurance will not cover him.