18 m
Maximum length — command boats and yachts up to eighteen metres
Voditelj brodice · Kategorije B
The Croatian boat licence, made clear.
A straight-talking guide to the Skipper B exam — what the licence actually lets you do, how the oral test at the harbour master's office works, and how to prepare.
Voditelj brodice kategorije B — Croatia's standard recreational skipper licence.
The essentials
The figures worth knowing.
12 NM
Up to twelve nautical miles from the nearest coast (navigation area III)
VHF
Basic marine VHF is in the exam syllabus; the standalone SRC is separate
∞
Valid for life — no renewals
What category B covers
Voditelj brodice kategorije B is the standard recreational skipper licence in Croatia. It lets you command a boat or yacht for personal use — or a bareboat (crewless) charter yacht — in Croatian coastal waters: navigation area III, up to 12 nautical miles from the nearest coast of the mainland or islands, plus the inner areas and ports.
The minimum age is 16; holders under 18 may use engines up to 15 kW, and from 18 there is no engine-power limit. The certificate is valid for life — it does not expire and is not renewed. Basic marine VHF radio is part of the exam syllabus; the full standalone SRC radio certificate is separate.
It is a Croatian national certificate — not an International Certificate of Competence (ICC), and not issued under any international mutual-recognition scheme. If you plan to charter outside Croatia, check the rules of that country and the charter company, as acceptance abroad is not guaranteed.
How the exam works
There's no multiple-choice sheet. You sit an oral exam before an examiner at the Lučka kapetanija — the harbour master's office — and answer face-to-face. That makes preparation different from most licences: you need to be able to explain things out loud, not just recognise the right answer on a page.
Exams are held at harbour master's offices in major Adriatic ports. You book directly with the local Lučka kapetanija; there is no central online test centre. A typical session lasts around 30–60 minutes, depending on how quickly you work through chart and navigation questions.
What each topic involves
A short overview of the subjects examiners ask about — useful whether you are studying in English, Croatian or German.
Chart work
Reading Croatian Adriatic charts: depth contours, symbols, compass rose, latitude and longitude, and plotting a simple course between two points.
Phonetic alphabet
The NATO phonetic alphabet (Alfa, Bravo, Charlie …) used on VHF radio. Examiners often ask you to spell a vessel name or harbour call sign aloud.
Lights & shapes
Navigation lights and day shapes for power vessels, sailing boats and restricted vessels — what they look like and what they mean at night versus in daylight.
Sound signals
Blast patterns for manoeuvring, restricted visibility and overtaking in narrow channels, as defined in COLREG.
Rules of the road (COLREG)
Give-way and stand-on situations, crossing, overtaking and head-on encounters. Examiners describe a scenario and expect you to explain who must give way and why.
Distance & bearing
Measuring distance on a chart (using latitude scale), taking a bearing with a hand compass, and estimating position from known marks.
Knots
Demonstrating a small set of practical knots — typically including a bowline, clove hitch and figure-eight — and explaining when each is used.
Preparing for an oral exam
Because there is no written test, passive revision is not enough. The examiner wants to hear you explain concepts clearly, not just nod at a correct answer.
- Practice out loud. Describe COLREG crossing situations, light configurations and chart symbols to someone else — or to yourself — until the wording feels natural.
- Work with real Adriatic charts. Croatian 1:100 000 coastal charts cover the charter areas most people sail. Get comfortable plotting courses and reading depth symbols before the exam.
- Learn the Croatian terms. Much of the syllabus is international, but examiners use Croatian names for marks, signals and manoeuvres. Pair your English or German study with the local vocabulary you will hear in the room.
- Know the phonetic alphabet by heart. It comes up in almost every sitting and is easy marks if you have drilled it.
- Rehearse knots with rope. You may be asked to tie them on the spot; muscle memory matters more than a diagram in a book.
Chartering in Croatia
If you plan to bareboat charter — picking up a yacht without a professional skipper on board — the operator will ask for proof of qualification. Voditelj brodice kategorije B is the standard Croatian recreational qualification operators look for.
Many companies also accept equivalent international licences (such as the ICC or certain national sport-boat certificates), but policies differ by fleet and vessel length. When in doubt, check with the charter company before you travel. If your existing licence is not accepted, sitting the oral B exam at a coastal Lučka kapetanija is a common path — you do not need to complete a formal classroom course first, though structured preparation helps.
You must be at least 16 years old for category B (under-18 holders are limited to engines of 15 kW). No medical certificate is required for category B — that applies only to the commercial category C.
Common questions
The basics, answered plainly.
What is the Voditelj brodice B licence?
It's the standard Croatian recreational skipper licence. It lets you operate a recreational boat or yacht for personal use in Croatian coastal waters, up to 12 nautical miles from the nearest coast. The minimum age is 16 (under-18s are limited to 15 kW; no power limit from 18), and it's valid for life. Basic marine VHF radio is part of the exam syllabus; the standalone SRC certificate is separate.
How is the exam structured?
As an oral exam at the Lučka kapetanija. An examiner asks you questions directly on chart work, the phonetic alphabet, signals and lights, the collision-avoidance rules and basic navigation. You answer in person rather than filling in a test sheet.
What can I do with it once I pass?
Operate a recreational boat or yacht for personal use in Croatian coastal waters, up to 12 NM from the nearest coast. It's a Croatian national certificate, not an ICC, so confirm acceptance before chartering outside Croatia. Basic VHF radio is part of the exam syllabus; the standalone SRC certificate is separate.
Do I need to speak Croatian?
The official syllabus and exam are in Croatian, but a lot of the material is international — COLREG, the phonetic alphabet and navigation principles are the same everywhere. That makes it approachable to prepare in English or German first, then learn the Croatian terms.
Do I need a Croatian licence to charter a yacht?
For bareboat charter you generally need a valid skipper licence. Category B is the standard Croatian qualification; many operators also accept recognised equivalents such as the ICC, though requirements vary by company and boat size.
Can I use my existing boat licence from another country?
Some foreign licences work for visiting or short stays, but Croatian charter fleets often want a B licence or an internationally recognised equivalent. If yours is not accepted, you can sit the oral exam at a Lučka kapetanija without attending a formal course first.
Where can I take the exam?
At harbour master's offices along the coast — Split, Dubrovnik, Zadar, Šibenik, Pula, Rijeka and other ports with a Lučka kapetanija. Book an appointment directly with the office where you plan to sit the exam.