AENIB applauds the upcoming recognition of the British pleasure boat qualifications

AENIB, as the employer association of the Balearic nautical sector, has received with satisfaction the expected communication from the Directorate General of the Merchant Marine, clarifying that Royal Degree containing the update on the recognition of the British qualification will enter into force “within short”.

For AENIB, this announcement fits into what was expected, based on the information DGMM had transmitted to the sector. This is good news for the Balearic nautical sector, as eliminating administrative obstacles from the enjoyment of the sea is always good news for all parties concerned.

It is worth pointing out that National Association of Nautical Companies (ANEN), to which also AENIB is associated, published already a few days ago a press release with a statement: “Result of the conversations between ANEN and the Directorate General of the Merchant Marine - always attentive to the needs of our sector – relating to the effects of the Brexit on the validity in Spain of the nautical qualifications of British citizens, is that these qualifications will be recognized in Spain before the start of the summer season”.

Initially, in a document published earlier by DGMM, and analyzed in a webinar organized by ANEN last February over legislative changes, it was stated that from 1st of January 2021, due to Brexit “the pleasure boat qualifications of British citizens will not be recognized on Spanish flagged boats, as the requirements established in the Royal Decree 875/2014 are no longer met after UK leaves EU and falls from the list in Annex IX of countries whose qualifications are recognized”.

However, DGMM had also provided information to the sector related to some upcoming law changes. Thus, the Royal Decree regulating safety equipment and prevention of contamination by pleasure craft will include a provision that modifies some aspects included in the Royal Decree 238/2019, among them a modification of Royal Decree 875/2014 (of 10th of October in which the nautical qualifications for handling pleasure boats are regulated) so that UK will be included in its Annex IX (Qualifications issued in other countries). Consequently, when the new Royal Decree enters into force, the restrictions of the old decree will no longer be valid and the British citizens can use their RYA qualifications for to charter and control Spanish flagged pleasure craft in Spanish waters.

In their latest statement, DGMM explains that “once the mandatory consent is received from the State Council, with some improvements to the text, the processing of the draft bill for regulation of safety equipment and prevention of contamination by pleasure craft will be finalized shortly and published in the Official State Bulletin. To be highlighted from the text is the addition of a modification to the Royal Decree 875/2014, of 10th of October, the law which regulates the qualifications for controlling pleasure craft, so that leisure craft qualifications issued in UK will be included in the law, allowing British citizens to charter and drive Spanish flagged pleasure craft”.