What you need to perform it
Primary qualification
- Professional Harbour Skipper certificate, Spanish merchant marine (RD 269/2022): 150-hour course plus navigation practice
- 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.
What this role does
DepartmentLocal Operations
GroupProfessional Nautical Licences (Spain)
Role typeLocal Command Officer
Reports toShipowner
SupervisesBridge and engine sailor
The Port Master is the professional qualification for regular passenger lines in ports (car ferries, passenger boats to islands or beaches), port service craft and small tugs. It is the most accessible entry level to the Spanish professional merchant marine.
Typical watches
- Shifts according to service (ferry, tugboat, service boat)
Key responsibilities
- Government of merchant vessels of up to 100 GT in port navigation.
- Transportation of a maximum of 150 passengers on regular port line services.
- Navigation up to 3 nautical miles from port or refuge area.
- 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
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.