Categories of Watercraft
A recreational craft is a watercraft with an overall length between 2.5–24 metres (e.g. boats, sailing yachts, launches) that is used for recreational purposes regardless of registration. Recreational craft do not include watercraft used for competitive sports and training that are marked correspondingly by a sports federation (such as a jetboats, sailboards, sailing yachts, competition yachts) and primitive watercraft (such as dugouts, dories, small flat-bottomed boats, kayaks, canoes, pedal boats) and specially constructed watercraft.
Crafts with an overall length under 12 metres are those that are used for work or commercial purposes such as fishing boats and inspection patrol boats.
A personal watercraft is a watercraft with no cockpit, a stationary engine and a water jet pump that has an overall length of up to 4 metres and is operated from a seated, kneeling or standing position.
Conformity assessment bodies for recreational craft in the EU can be found here.
The Estonian Transportation Administration acts pursuant to the Maritime Safety Act of the Republic of Estonia and to any other legal acts enacted thereunder.
The regulation “Requirements for Operating Recreational Craft” issued by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications on 3 August 2006 establishes the general requirements for operating recreational craft, including the requirement that a skipper of a recreational craft shall have a registration certificate and a certificate of a skipper of a recreational craft, if such a certificate is required in accordance with the Maritime Safety Act.
§ 1 (2) of the Maritime Safety Act stipulates that “this Act extends to recreational craft flying the national flag of Estonia and ships and recreational craft flying a foreign flag if so provided for in this Act”. According to § 9426 (5), recreational craft flying a foreign flag, when operated in Estonian territorial waters, are required to have the certificates demanded by the Flag State.
Prepare for the season in advance!
Go through the checklist below to be ready for the summer boating season.
Boat checklist:
1. The motor needs professional maintenance according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
2. The fuel system, filters and tank – these are especially important.
3. Steering play and lubrication.
4. The condition of the electrical system.
5. Make sure the submerged part of the watercraft and ducts are in good condition.
6. The registration numbers must be intact and easily visible.
7. Make sure the required lights are present and functional.
8. Make sure the battery is charged, properly mounted and the contacts aren’t oxidised.
Emergency equipment checklist:
1. Life jackets:
a) the conformity markings are clearly legible (CE, SOLAS);
b) make sure that the belts are all there and not damaged;
c) the buckles work properly, the seams and floatation devices are undamaged;
d) the gas inflation life jackets have been properly inspected
2. Life buoy or lifesling should have:
a) the life buoy markings (CE, SOLAS);
b) a functional throwing line with a length of 15-25 m
c) my watercraft does not need to have those
3. Life raft:
a) life rafts must be periodically inspected by an authorised representative;
b) the markings of the life raft’s location and instructions should be clearly legible
4. Fire extinguishing appliances:
a) fire extinguishing devices on the watercraft must be inspected yearly;
b) the fire extinguisher must be at least 2 kg;
c) a fire blanket is mandatory on recreational craft with an open-flame heating element;
d) a fire extinguisher is mandatory on watercraft that have an inboard engine or an outboard engine with a power output exceeding 25 kW;
e) it is recommended to have a fire extinguisher on all watercraft regardless of power output
5. Other equipment:
a) a bilge pump or bailer;
b) a compass, other navigation devices;
c) test VHF communication devices;
d) a suitable anchor with rode;
e) moorings, fenders;
f) waste collection devices;
g) oars/paddles depending on the craft;
h) some tools and necessary spare parts;
i) other equipment that I think is important
Did I forget anything? As the skipper of recreational craft, I am responsible for:
1. Observing weather conditions and postponing boat trips in the case of bad weather
2. Making sure that the boat and the equipment are in order
3. Making sure that other people on the boat follow safety norms, only sailing with a clear head
4. Making sure that life jackets or other floatation devices are worn or easily accessible
5. Safe navigation and following the rules of maritime traffic
6. Not disturbing other seafarers or harming the environment
7. Following good maritime practice
Last updated: 26.05.2023
