Chartering in Malta and Gozo: which certificate will the base want to see?

Chartering in Malta means a lot of variety in a small cruising area: the main island with its harbours, Gozo to the north west, Comino and its bays in between, limestone cliffs and clear water all round. Passages are short and the anchorages busy in summer. Registration, safety equipment and the boat's insurance are arranged by the charter company and stay on board. Your side is the skipper's certificate, a VHF operator's licence and ID for everyone sailing. The maritime authority is Transport Malta.

Bases normally want a sea qualification that suits the size of the boat and the area, often RYA Day Skipper or Yachtmaster, the ICC or an equivalent national certificate, together with an operator's licence such as the SRC for the VHF. Many ask about your experience as skipper, and some want to see a logbook. Look closely at the cruising area in the charter agreement as well: the crossing to Sicily is an open sea passage and only possible if the base agrees. Get written confirmation of which certificates are accepted and where the boat may go before you book.

Once you are there, it comes down to the bays. Around Comino and at other popular spots there are mooring fields and swimming zones where boats may not enter or anchor, and the base knows the current rules. A strong north easterly, the gregale, can make some bays and harbours uncomfortable, so check the forecast every day and keep a sheltered spot in reserve. Take ID for everyone aboard, even inside the EU. If you damage someone else's boat or property with the charter yacht you are personally liable, so proof of your own skipper liability insurance belongs in the folder.

Worth remembering

In Malta the certificate is quickly sorted; the open question is usually how far you may go.