What you need to perform it
Primary qualification
- Professional Coastal Skipper certificate, Spanish merchant marine (RD 269/2022), via the intermediate vocational diploma in Coastal Navigation and Fishing (CFGM)
- Issued by DGMM / Ministry of Transport
Basic STCW
- A-VI/1 Basic Safety Training
- A-VI/2 Rescue boats
- A-VI/3 Advanced fire fighting
- A-VI/4-1 Medical first aid
Specific courses
- GMDSS Restricted Operator (ROC) or General Operator (GOC) depending on navigation area
- Basic Radar/ARPA
- Maneuvering and steering of ships
Indicative experience
12 months of accredited boarding (6 months as a bridge student + 6 additional months).
Observations
Progressive qualification towards Offshore Skipper (Patrón de Altura) with additional boarding and STCW qualifications. Valid for coastal fishing skippers and coastal passenger vessels.
What this role does
DepartmentBridge
GroupProfessional Nautical Licences (Spain)
Role typeCommand Officer
Reports toOffshore Skipper (Patrón de Altura) / Shipowner
SupervisesDeck ratings and service personnel
The Patrón de Litoral qualifies for command of merchant vessels in the Spanish and EU coastal zone. It is the equivalent of the CFGM vocational training and an intermediate step between Port Master and Offshore Master.
Typical watches
- Watches of 4 or 8 hours depending on the navigation pattern
Key responsibilities
- Command of civil ships under 200 GT carrying up to 250 passengers; deck officer up to 1,600 GT.
- Coastal navigation up to 60 miles from the coast.
- Master and chief mate on ships under 500 GT, in near-coastal voyages.
- Watchkeeping management, navigational safety and collision prevention.
- Compliance with STCW and Spanish merchant marine regulations.
Operational scope
- Coastal navigation — up to 60 miles from the coast
Profile reviewed by HydroAbyss (2026). Cited rules and timeframes are indicative: the final requirement is set by the flag State, the Administration and each company.