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Interactive tool · 60-sec result

Charter Qualification Checker

Do you qualify to charter bareboat, or do you need a skipper? Find out in 60 seconds.

Question: Can I charter this boat bareboat, or do I need to hire a skipper?

ID: qualification-checker

5 quick steps. We map your answers against the licensing rules of your chosen destination, then hand you a single verdict and the fastest route to qualify.

Step 1 — Destination

Licensing rules vary widely — the same experience can qualify bareboat in the BVI but not in Greece.

Step 2 — Sailing experience

How many days have you spent sailing (skipper or crew)?

Step 3 — Licence

Do you hold a sailing licence or certificate?

Step 4 — Crew size & boat preference

Preferred boat length

Step 5 — Specialty sailing (optional)

Some bases ask about these for insurance and route-planning — skip if you are not sure.

Comfortable sailing at night?
Confident anchoring / mooring without assistance?
Used to Mediterranean stern-to / mooring-buoy berthing?

Your answers stay in the URL — nothing is stored, and you can share the result.

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Trusted sources

Licensing and certification rules are set by national maritime authorities and governing bodies. We verify against these primary sources — always reconfirm with your charter base before booking.

Guidance only — final requirements rest with the charter operator and the coastal state.

Qualifications & licensing — FAQ

The questions we hear most from first-time and returning charterers.

Do you need a licence to charter in the BVI? ▾
No formal licence is legally required in the British Virgin Islands or USVI — the most relaxed charter destinations in the world. Most operators still ask for a short sailing résumé or a check-out sail, and genuine beginners can add a skipper for a day or two. That relaxed rule is exactly why the BVI is the classic first bareboat destination.
Is RYA Day Skipper valid in Greece? ▾
Yes. Greece requires a recognised licence plus an ICC (or equivalent) and expects roughly 50 logged days for bareboat. A UK ICC issued by the RYA — which a Day Skipper certificate supports — is widely accepted by Greek charter bases, along with a short-range VHF (SRC) certificate. Always confirm the specific base’s requirements before booking.
How do I get an ICC? ▾
Apply for an International Certificate of Competence through the authorised body in your country. In the UK the RYA issues the ICC on behalf of the MCA. You must evidence competence — either by holding a recognised certificate such as RYA Day Skipper, or by passing an ICC assessment — and provide identity, nationality and address documents.
What is the difference between ASA and RYA? ▾
ASA (American Sailing Association) and RYA (Royal Yachting Association) are the two dominant certification systems. ASA 101 + 103 runs a US keelboat/coastal path, with ASA 104 for bareboat cruising; the RYA path runs Day Skipper → Coastal Skipper → Yachtmaster. For Mediterranean bareboat, the RYA route with an ICC is most commonly accepted; ASA holders often add an ICC as well.
How much sailing experience do I need for a bareboat charter? ▾
It depends on the destination. Beginner-friendly cruising grounds (BVI, USVI, Bahamas, the Greek Ionian) accept relatively little logged experience, while the central Mediterranean typically expects around 50 days and a licence. High-latitude or open-water destinations ask for 100+ days or advanced certification. Operators assess a sailing résumé rather than a fixed number.
Can I charter bareboat with no experience at all? ▾
In a few destinations the law allows it, but we would not recommend it. With no logged days, a skippered charter is the smarter first step — you still get the boat and the destination, a professional captain handles the seamanship, and many guests treat it as a training week. In the Mediterranean a licence is required, so a skipper or crewed charter is the realistic route.