Marinheiro

"Marinheiro" (Basic Skipper)

The "Marinheiro" is a Portuguese Recreational Boat Licence which permits daytime coastal navigation up to 10 nautical miles from a place of refuge and up to 3 miles from the shoreline in pleasure craft up to 12 metres in length. This RYA-aligned training covers essential sailing and motorboat skills for safe recreational boating in Portuguese waters.

There is no engine power limitation for certified craft; any motor correctly installed and compliant with safety standards is accepted for this recreational boat licence and motor training.

The minimum age for the limits above is 18 years. However, the licence can be obtained from age 16. Between 16 and 18 years, navigation is permitted in recreational craft up to 6 metres with engines up to 30hp. These restrictions are removed once the candidate reaches 18.

For jet skis and personal watercraft there is no power limit and the minimum age is also 16. Our practical sessions include both sailing and motor handling drills to ensure competence and safety.

Programme Price Requirements Duration Vessels Location

Programme

Theoretical Knowledge

Maritime legislation and regulations;
General knowledge of pleasure craft;
Propulsion and manoeuvring of motor and sail vessels;
Meteorology applied to coastal navigation;
Collision regulations (COLREGs);
Basic first aid and fire safety on board;
Buoyage and channel marking;
Tides and tidal planning;
Maritime etiquette and seamanship;

Practical Skills

Handling and manoeuvring a vessel up to 12 metres (6 metres for students aged 16–18);
Basic deck seamanship (lines, knots, mooring).

(In accordance with Portaria n.º 288/2000)

^€410
VAT Included

20 hours theory + 10 hours practical
Access to the online learning platform
Exam fee included (€140)

Requirements

Minimum age 16 years;
Swimming ability;

Documents required for registration and the "Marinheiro" exam:

Registration form;
1 passport-style photo (digital);
Residence permit (if not holding Portuguese nationality);
Medical certificate suitable for aquatic sports.

For registration, only the form, a copy of ID and a photo are required. Remaining documents must be provided by the first practical lesson date.

Duration

Courses run at weekends or as intensive weekday programmes. Practical sessions are available both at weekends and on weekdays to suit RYA sailing and motorboat students.

Theory lessons: 20 hours;
Practical lessons: 10 hours;
Exam: 1.5 hours (theory) + practical test

Vessels

Practical sessions include a sailing lesson aboard a cruising sailboat and a motor handling session on a Ribcraft 6.4 Pro RIB, ideal for practising motorboat manoeuvres and safety procedures.

Location

West Coast delivers the "Marinheiro" course from its headquarters at Oeiras Marina, providing professional RYA sailing and motor training in the Lisbon area.

Oeiras Marina offers excellent boating facilities, including restaurants, shops, changing rooms, security and parking — ideal for learner sailors and motorboat students.

Nearby amenities include beaches, an ocean pool and a promenade. The location at the Tagus estuary allows options for open sea or sheltered river navigation.

Theory classes are held in DGRM-approved classrooms at Oeiras Marina, and practical sessions depart from the same marina using fully certified vessels.