Safety Certificate and Safe Manning Certificate

Commercially used recreational craft flying the German flag require:

  • a Safety Certificate for Recreational Craft from 8 m in length and
  • a Safe Manning Certificate under 8 m in length as well.

The Ship Safety Division of BG Verkehr issues the Safety Certificate for Recreational Craft for a 2-year period and the Safe Manning Certificate for a 5-year period.

For the Safety Certificate and the Safe Manning Certificate, please submit the following documents to the Ship Safety Division of BG Verkehr (the easiest way is via mail):

completed application form (to: besichtigungen@bg-verkehr.de)

the following documents to both: posteingang.schiffssicherheit@bg-verkehr.de and certificates@bg-verkehr.de:

  • for recreational craft of more than 15 m hull length: Certificate of Registry ( = proof of the entry into a German shipping register for sea-going ships)
  • recreational craft with CE certification: 
    • CE declaration of conformity including the provision of the modules and Annex I to the conformity declaration and a photo of the CE marking
    • complete owner's manual (pdf or hardcopy)
  • recreational craft without CE certification
    • approved stability calculation and proof of sufficient hull strength for the planned area of operation
  • a written declaration that no modifications affecting the stability have taken place
  • documentation of a radio acceptance procedure by the BSH or a body recognized by the BSH
  • documentation of inspection of the liquefied gas unit on water craft
  • Application for a Safe Manning Certificate