Changes in boat license regulations for 2026

Publication date: 16.05.2026

In 2023, EMERCOM introduced several changes to the rules for obtaining boat licenses and vessel registration in Russia. Let's examine what these amendments entail and whether they will affect yacht owners.

In Russia, a license is required to operate any watercraft weighing over 200 kilograms with an engine power exceeding 10.88 horsepower.

In July 2023, Order No. 885 "On the Rules for Certification of Operators of Small Vessels Used for Non-Commercial Purposes" came into force. Lawyers highlight one of its most significant provisions - the ability to obtain licenses outside one's place of residence.

In other words, a resident of the Urals can now complete training and obtain a yacht operator's license in Sochi without issues. However, it should be noted that some schools may not offer training for sailboat operation - though this limitation stems solely from the material resources of specific GIMS training centers.

The next change concerns the deadlines for passing the theoretical and practical parts of the license exam. Previously, the maximum gap between them was 6 months, now it's extended to 9 months. This is because the navigation period varies in duration across different regions of Russia.

The Order amending the Rules for State Registration of Small Vessels Used for Non-Commercial Purposes primarily affected the Small Vessel Registry. This registry is now maintained exclusively electronically as a unified national database.

Registration applications are now primarily submitted through Gosuslugi (Government Services portal), requiring an Electronic Signature certificate. Boat licenses are issued in both electronic and paper formats - these documents hold equal legal validity.

Experts highlight the following advantages of this innovation:

Under the new rules, boats must be registered within 30 days of purchase. For remote transactions, this period starts from the date of signing the vessel transfer document.

Therefore, all yachts operating in Russian waters must be registered with GIMS.

RYA, IYT and ISSA licenses are fundamentally different from GIMS documents from a legal standpoint. Essentially, they all serve as proof of a skipper's skills for charter and insurance companies and are required for vessel rental. In our country, operating licenses are mandatory for all vessel owners and can be checked by EMERCOM patrols directly on the water.

For 2023-2024, no significant changes have been made to the RYA, IYT and ISSA licensing procedures. If you want to sail in European waters and other countries, to obtain these certificates you need to:

Let’s take a closer look at this using ISSA documents as an example. This license is issued by an association based in the UK, and we follow its system for training at WeSail Co. Such a license currently seems to be the most universal, as it allows you to travel across almost all of Europe. Of course, it comes with certain nuances and limitations — for instance, some charter companies in Croatia do not rent boats to holders of ISSA licenses.

Furthermore, in Italy, RYA, ISSA, and IYT licenses themselves have no legal force and only confirm the captain’s competence. Therefore, to operate a vessel flying the Italian flag, you will still need to obtain an additional Italian license.

The certification allows daytime and nighttime sailing in clear weather on yachts up to 24 meters long. To obtain this license, you must complete the theoretical portion covering these topics:

After passing the exam, the student is admitted to practical training. To participate, you need to select an available slot in the school's schedule and register for the desired dates.

This stage takes from 7 to 10 days. Under the instructor's guidance, the group refines their acquired knowledge, including learning to effectively manage the team and interact with all crew members. For more details about this and other training systems, read this article.

Thus, if you only sail in foreign waters, the changes in GIMS requirements won't affect you.