01
What belongs on the certificate.
The official application form provides for the trips to be listed. What has proved workable, per trip:
- the period, with start and end date
- the name and type of the boat, and the sail number where applicable
- the sailing area and the harbours called at
- the nautical miles covered
- the name, address and signature of the skipper (Schiffsführer)
Primary sourceAnnex 4 of the SKS implementing guidelines (Durchführungsrichtlinien SKS, ELWIS)
02
Who may sign?
Forums regularly claim that the person certifying must hold the SKS (Sportküstenschifferschein) themselves, and that self-certification is not permitted. Neither of these appears in that form in the SportSeeSchV (the German ordinance on recreational craft certificates at sea) or in the guidelines.
What does follow from the purpose of the rule: the only person who can sensibly certify is someone who was able to judge the passage – that is, the skipper in charge of the trip in question. Whether your examination board (Prüfungsausschuss) accepts a self-certification for trips you skippered yourself is something you should clarify beforehand.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Does the person signing need to hold a particular certificate?
Neither the SportSeeSchV nor the implementing guidelines contain such a requirement. It is frequently claimed in forums, but without any reference.
Can I certify my own nautical miles?
The guidelines do not expressly forbid it. Since this is proof submitted to the examination authority, it is advisable to clarify the matter with the examination board before you apply.
Is a printout from an app enough?
The proof must contain the required details and be signed. A printout can serve as the basis, but it does not replace the skipper's signature.
