01
What the guidelines lay down — and what they do not.
For admission to the practical examination for the SKS (Sportküstenschifferschein), the German coastal skipper licence, the official implementing guidelines (Durchführungsrichtlinien) require evidence of at least 300 nautical miles on sailing yachts with an auxiliary engine in coastal waters. That is all they say.
In particular, they do not say how these nautical miles are to be determined. There is no official definition of course over ground, straight-line distance or the day's run (Etmal) in connection with the mileage record. Anyone claiming otherwise should be able to name the source.
Primary sourceNo. 1 of the Durchführungsrichtlinien SKS (ELWIS) and § 6 SportSeeSchV
02
The three counting methods in practice.
Three methods are common in practice. They lead to markedly different results:
- Distance over ground. The distance actually covered, as a GPS track records it. Tacks count towards it. This produces the highest figure and reflects what was actually sailed.
- Harbour to harbour. The distance between the port of departure and the destination on the chart. Tacks drop out. Conservative, but easy to follow and hard to challenge.
- Etmal (day's run). The distance covered in 24 hours. It comes from commercial shipping and is rather impractical for a weekend cruise.
03
What that means for your record.
As long as there is no official rule, the competent examining authority may apply a practice of its own. The pragmatic recommendation: keep your cruise records so that you can evidence both figures – the distance sailed and the direct distance. Clear up any open questions before you submit the application, if at all possible.
That is exactly what Keelwake does automatically: every leg has a recorded GPS track with the distance actually sailed and, at the same time, a port of departure and a destination. For your record you can therefore state both, without reconstructing anything after the event.
FAQ
Common questions
Do tacks count towards the mileage record?
The official guidelines say nothing about this. Anyone who uses the distance over ground counts them; anyone who calculates from harbour to harbour does not. If in doubt, ask the competent examination board (Prüfungsausschuss) before submitting the application.
Do miles under engine count?
The guidelines require the evidence to be gathered on “sailing yachts with an auxiliary engine” (Segelyachten mit Antriebsmaschine) and expressly name the means of propulsion as “engine and under sail” (Antriebsmaschine und unter Segel). They do not provide for a split into engine miles and sailing miles.
Do I have to evidence every leg separately?
The official application form provides for the cruises to be listed with date, boat, cruising area and distance. A bare total is usually not enough.
