Harbour Skipper — Spain (Patrón Portuario)

Primary qualification

• National Patrón Portuario certificate (art. 91 of RD 269/2022), outside the STCW Convention: a DGMM-approved Patrón Portuario course —or a vocational qualification covering its contents— plus a professional aptitude examination. It allows holding command of the ship and of the engine department at once where power does not exceed 375 kW in a single engine (double with two or more) and the ship holds a periodically unattended machinery space certificate.
• Issued by DGMM / Authorized Port Authority

Basic STCW

• A-VI/1 Basic Safety Training
• A-VI/4 Initial Specific Health Training
• A-VI/2 Rescue boats (if applicable)

Specific courses

• GMDSS Restricted Operator (ROC) — Marine VHF
• Navigation practices in port waters

Indicative experience

12 months of accredited boarding (6 months as a deck sailor and 6 months in engines).

Observations

It is the most accessible professional title in the Spanish merchant navy. Enables regular passenger lines in port areas (up to 3 miles). Natural progression towards Coastal Skipper (Patrón de Litoral) with additional training.

Typical watches

• Shifts according to service (ferry, tugboat, service boat)

Key responsibilities

• Handling and command of civil ships under 100 GT that never go more than 3 nautical miles from the port, landing stage, beach or bay of departure, carrying up to 150 passengers.
• Transportation of a maximum of 150 passengers on regular port line services.
• Navigation never going more than 3 nautical miles from the port, landing stage, beach or bay of departure.
• Mooring, loading and maneuvering operations in port.
• Safety management on service vessels (tugboats, auxiliary pilots).

Operational scope

• Harbor waters and up to 3 miles from port or refuge